Soviva Resort

Happy in Golden Soviva

by A TripAdvisor Member

Date of Travel 5th March 2006
Travelled with my daughter and her friend both over 39 and I am 59.
The Hotel staff(Sami and the team) were helpful from the outset and the rooms although a bit tatty (dressing table in need of varnish probably due to travel ironing) were clean and as the weather was changeable warm .The bathroom had a wonderful powershower and the rooms were large.The linen and towels were changed often.The restaurant was a bit of a walk but it was worth it. The food was lovely we ate our way through the menu and the crepes and orange sauce were to die for. The restaurant staff (Ali and the boys) were attentive. They taught us Arabic words to use.We did not use the entertainment (sorry Sam) as we were very tired after our days out. Taxis plentiful and only 2 dinar to Kantaoui and 6 dinar to Sousse. We used the Metro to Monastir 1.90 dinar return and it ran every half hour. We went on a tuk tuk from Sousse great fun. The Souk was fun and the boys although persistant had us in stitches with they're sayings. We found a lovely handbag shop and a leather shoe maker. We tied knots in carpets and went on camel rides. We read travel guides before we went so were aware of what the country was like but the people were so friendly and helpful.I would not recommend the hotel for those who want to be in the Port as we were a good 35mins walk away.We would go back anytime.

holiday from hell

by A TripAdvisor Member

i am writing this review after looking at this hotel again after nearly 2 years. unfortunately i came here on my honeymoon in august 2004, when we arrived at monastir airport it all looked resonable until you get on the coach and drive through to port el kantoui in what could only be described as a battle field it was dirty very third world which i wasnt expecting it looked like we were in iraq.We arrived at the golden soviva must admit looked ok from outside, on arrival no room waiting which was annoying had a 6 in the morning flight and we were exhausted we was told to hand over 20 quid each for the deposits of our all inclusive bands otherwise we couldnt receieve any refreshments while we waited for our room key. we finally got our key after my husband literally demanded it went to our room many things were broken lights bathroom items the rooms were basic and dirty i have seen the pictures they have up on the site now i just hope they really are as stated if you are going here. The food was very bog standard very boring the same every meal time my husband lived on bread for 2 days.There was no entertainment they have a short disco which have the same songs played every day and night continually. The beach which was a short distance away was filthy it even had beddowins on there couldnt even sit on it cans litter you name it. The pool has changed slightly from the pictures probably the best feature although the big blue slide gave a couple of injuries while we were there.

Apart from the people we met here we would have ruined our honeymoon it dosnt sound like its changed much from the gentlemans review in august 05. The only thing i will say is when we arrived we went with first choice who no longer have shares in this hotel as they pulled out 2 weeks before my honeymoon so we wasnt told about this and it must speak for itself if a reputable company pull out of any one complex?

Excellent value for money!

by TripAdvisor Member ~~Dan`C_007

Booking this hotel was a "spur of the moment" thing through Lets Go Travel in Devon. When we did a bit of research on the Internet the reviews were mixed, to say the least...but were confident our £270 each for 7 nights half-board and flights was an excellent deal.

However, given what we paid the hotel was excellent. The Golden Soviva is a separate building from the Soviva with nicer rooms. The dining hall is actually part of the Soviva but it is only a 3 minute walk – only the laziest of people will have trouble! Although we had to move tables from our reserved table once or twice during our stay at busy periods, a quick word with the host soon sorted this. The food was generally good although a little bland if you were to eat there every evening. Highlights was the fresh bread, wide choice, crepes, selection of teas…My favourite meal was on our last night which was “Tunisian themed”; the couscous was superb!

With regard to "extras" we only had to pay for a security box but not deck chairs etc. The rooms were very comfortable with air con, fresh towels every two days and clean. Our particular room had a balcony over the small swimming pool which was very pleasant although this pool (the main one remains open) closed quite early which was disappointing. Tip: rather than pay out for the hotel's expensive water, visit the local shop opposite and pick up some big bottles to store in your room's minifridge.

Tunisia is not for everyone. And it certainly is no Spain. That said, it is a bargin holiday destination with two return train tickets from Sousse to Tunis costing £10. Yes, you get bugged by shop owners and locals but if you are firm but polite it should not pose a problem. I would also highly recommend not bothering to visit Port El Kantaoui itself: it is a tourist town with very little cultural influence and locals who are used to only dealing with tourists i.e. overzealous. Always always barter for taxis; it should be 5 Dina max from Port El Kantaoui to the nearest town Sousse. The hotel is private so there is no problem with locals harassing anybody.

Overall, this hotel is an excellent base from which to explore Tunisia, given the price, but if you prefer more culture then maybe try to find a place in Sousse to save on the taxi fares.

Really nice holiday

by TripAdvisor Member Can'twaitforCancun!!

I had a really nice time at The Soviva. The hotel was lovely and the staff helpful. The pool area is good and there is a slide which my partner enjoyed. There's a lot for the kids if you are travelling as a family.

The food was really nice, plenty to choose from the buffet. We went half board so our breakfast and evening meal were included.

The room was quite big and looked out over the pool area.

The beach wasn't up to much and was a bit of a walk but the pool more than compensated for it.

It was a thorughly enjoyable holiday.

make the most of it and you may even enjoy

by TripAdvisor Member astonmarion

We travelled to Tunisia in March 2006 enticed by the bargain price of £225 pp half board. The hotel is billed as 4 star but it is not nearly UK 4 star standard. That said, the staff are great the food is edible and some of it like crepes and omlettes pretty good, the rooms are clean and towels are changed daily.The weather wasn't the best while we were there making the hotel's lack of entertainment more obvious but for party animals the hotel next door offers nightly cabaret and a piano bar. Tunisian themed night at the Soviva was very good for both food and cabaret.The pool facility seemed good and the snack bar was excellent value for money. If you are looking for a cheap break and are prepared to make your own entertainment and do a little exploring then this will suit you well.The most disgruntled guests during our stay were the all inclusive customers and those who expected a week of entertainment around the pool.
PS I think the last reviewer was the lady who, with her daughter and friend, sat at the next dining table to us. They like us planned trips to ensure their holiday was an adventure regardless of the hotel.

Good Hotel

by A TripAdvisor Member

This was the first time in Tunisia. The Hotel was clean and the staff with the odd exception was great. My daughter and I had a great massage at the hotel, while my husband and son went diving in the port. There is a good hairdresser in the hotel were my dauhter had her hair braded at a fraction of the price it would have cost at home.
While the entertainment was not briliant it was fair and they did try hard. There is a team that goes around in the day trying to get the kids and adults to join in games ect. They work very hard and are extremely plesent people.The waiters were lovely, and could not do enougth for us. From the moment we walked through the restrant door we were greeted with a wave, a smile and our drinks were on the table by the time we had sat down. The down side was the sun beds, The life gaurds will try to charge you to reserve them so it hard to get a sun bed as there are towels on them reserving them even when they are not used. Our rep was great and had a word with the hotel managment and informed us that is against the hotel policy and to ignore the towels. The staf at the all inclusive bar couild be a bit off. Other than that i enjoyed the food, the rooms were large and cosey, The air con was good, the staf was lovely. The maid much to my 10 year old daughter's delight aranged our night clothes all pretty on the bed each day. Even when we checked out in the morning as our flight was not till the evening we could still use the all inclusive perks, including dinner, the snacks, drinks ect. I would recomend this hotel to any one, and i hope to return again for our next holiday this time for two weeks .

Avoid With Haste Hotel From Hell!

by A TripAdvisor Member

heres a list to make things easier:
1: Electrical sockets broken and dangerous.
2: Holesnin curtain and sheets.
3: Patio doors do not lock.
4: Towels threadbare and dirty grey
5: Toilet under rim disgusting.
6: Sink in bathroom not fixed to wall, very dangerous.
7: Beds rock hard and uncomfortable.
8: At the start of the holiday, we was given a table number for the restaurant, after the 1st day we were constantly moved around to cater for the algerians and tunisians.
9: Food in restaurant was awful. Cold, Bland, and unapetising.
10: We had to walk to their sister hotel 3 minutes away to eat meals.
11: The Gala meal was a complete and utter disgrace from food to oragnisation and the drinks almost doubled in price.
12: Some staff seem arrogant and unhelpful.
13: No remote for TV
14: Entertainment was a waste of time on the 1st night, after that there was none for the rest of the holiday.
15: Indoor pool an utter disgrace, the water was absolutely filthy and cold.

i think that should do for the time bein.
hope i have in some way helped your decision to visit this hotel. If you want waste of money and terrible time, then go here, but i strongly advise not.

quality hotel

by A TripAdvisor Member

from the minute we arrived at the hotel our family was treated first class by all the locals and the staff. accommodation was clean and spacious, could not fault the facilities. we could see that the pool was being cleaned every day without fail for the whole two weeks. there was always plenty of food on offer with a variety of different dishes ranging from english to tunisian dishes. all round quality holiday, even the taxi drivers go out of their way to help and make you feel safe and welcome, and arranging return journeys for you and turning up when they said they would.

tunisia is great for chilling out

by moll12

"dont look for wild nights out!"

tunisia is good for families, pensioners and people loking to chill out!
we stayed at golden soviva hotel, half board, lovely hotel, beautiful people, fab weather.