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“It seemed that the week we went to the Vincci Nour...”

written by Englishrose on 21/05/2006

Good Points
The staff were all pretty friendly, and many spoke English, and many other languages.

The weather improved as the week went on. We were there from March 29th to April 5th. It was a bit windy, but we found a shield near the beach entrance, and good viewing for the volleyball games!

HubblyBubbly is fun, even for non-smokers. I usually stop breathing when I am around cigarette smoke, but I totally enjoyed this activity. The main HubblyBubbly waiter was great! He is far too intelligent for his job, but he has a very simple view on living his life, so finds satisfaction in what he does. The way he moved around the small tables and rugs without spilling the mint tea (a must try) was a wonder to everyone that took the time to watch him. Very friendly.

Take note of the layout map of the hotel. It seems upside down at first, but you get the hang of it.

Bowling is fun when you find it from inside the hotel.

The American Bar has it's one "feel", and as for the waiter not opening the wine in front of you... Well, if you are at the bar he can't not open it in front of you, as it's too small to hide!

There are a few waiters that work very long hours, so try to be friendly to them. They obviously need the money.

There is a young man in the shop near Mahjoub, (the Hubblybubbly man); he is working on his English and does very well. He welcomes the odd correction, and please feel free to teach them all another British saying! You'll see what I mean...

The more you are nice and friendly to the staff and locals, the more you will get to know them.

There is a fellow that wonders the hotel looking for people to go on his camel tour. The hotel will tell you not to book with "outsiders", but we ignored them (the hotel), and after a few days of watching him... He is very persistent, but not in a bad way, we decided to give it a go.

A van picked us up and drove us for a whole two minutes and dropped us off almost behind the station. That was a giggle, as we all said we couldn't have walked! Anyway, the camels were friendly, and the people were too. The ride was just enough. Photos will be taken as souvenirs and a fee will be asked, but you don't have to pay this. Say no and walk away. They will offer a lower price, so say no and offer, and even lower price. They will say no and you can walk away. You will go home with those pictures if you really want them.

There is another man that also wants you to go on his boat tour. We did this too, though it didn't turn out to be quiet as described. There is no island, and you don't go round the point that is shown. It's too far, BUT it's not a bad experience.

The hotel offers a dessert tour for a few days. We didn't go, but we wished we had.

Other holiday makers that went said that it was worth it, even though you have to get up at the crack of dawn. So when we go back we are going on that tour!

Bad Points
There weren't really any terribly bad points! I was rather worried about going, as we read all the negative reviews after we had booked our honeymoon. Yet once we were there, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

The location leaves a bit to be desired, but the sea is still beautifully blue. There is a terrible view if you are unlucky to get a front hotel room, but you can explain that you were under the impression of getting a room with a view, and they should move you.

One thing that did bug me, but it was at the airport as you come through customs to look for your travel guide, and when you return to go home. A fellow will grab your bags or trolley from you to take you a few feet to your guide and or car, and expect to be paid. You haven't far to walk, and you don't get small change from the money exchange office.

The food wasn't too bad, but there was not a lot of choice for kids, but look for the pasta bar at the back of the restaurant. There is a microwave to warm things up if desired, but you have to make it work (someone will help you), then you can't shut the darn thing off so you have to leave the door open!!!!

In order to blow dry your hair or recharge your phone you have to unplug the fridge, as there are no other outlets. There is a built-in blow dryer in the bathroom, though it isn't that powerful, but there is no outlet for your own.

It's true about the TV! The sound on our TV kept cutting out.

Women and young girls do get a lot of attention from the locals, but no harm is meant, and it is not reserved for the beauties of this world. Every woman is admired, and every woman is given attention and most women secretly enjoy it, even if outwardly they show annoyance. It does happen a lot. If you don't like this type of attention then this may or may not be the place for you to go. Depending on how you view life. Just remember the attention is not meant to be harmful, only complimentary.

General Comments
It seemed that the week we went to the Vincci Nour Palace Resort in Monastir was the cross over between off season and on season, so to speak. At the beginning the beach wasn't cleaned, but just before we left they started to tidy up the grounds, and it looked much nicer.



There is a variety of things to do on the beach, as well as places to re-freshen the throat and refill the stomach. We chose to encourage a local chap in his van (like an ice cream van). He is still working on his English, but we got to understand each other very well. You will find it a little way down to the right of the hotel on the beach with the sea on your left.



We found that the shops at the airport before you go through customs had the best prices of all, and you could still barter.



The Friday market in Mahdia is an experience. As soon as you arrive a man will come up to you from nowhere and claim to know you from your hotel, which he will be able to name (the taxi man will have told him somehow). Just be firmly polite and walk on. One holiday maker experienced this far away from the hotel in another city, and he went by train! It is all a ploy to get you to buy carpets.



There are official carpet sellers who will have it shipped to your home, but still expect to pay well for them. Though they are lovely.



There is one restaurant, we found, that women can go in (many are men only). There is a 'round about' in the middle of the market. If you face the ocean standing in the middle, it is just behind you on your left on the corner. There are toilets there too, that you can get into with a key. Just remember to pull up the knob on the tank to flush... Then run! just in case!



The market is where you can get good deals. The trick is to know how much you want to pay. Our tour guide explained that you should pay 1/3 of what they tell you the price is... If they say that the hubblybubbly is crystal and not glass (we couldn't tell the difference) and that it is 100 Dinar, you offer 20, he will say something like "what you take me for?" and offer you 50 Dinar. You say no way, and offer 25. He will laugh with you (you should be laughing as it can be fun), and he will offer say 40, and you say no and offer 30. He will say no, so you walk away. He will come after you. A few won't, but then you have to decide if you really want it or not. But you should know that first.



Beware of being pulled into a shop or stall, but most keepers are friendly. Just keep your head about you and don't feel guilty. You are not the first to walk in and not the last.



Oh yes... The local drug store or pharmacist has good pain killers if needed. They dissolve in water; like the plunk plunk fizz fizz (can't recall the name), but they are very good. A couple of ounces of water with one is good for regular headaches, and two for a hangover!



For women... If you need sanitary products, you won't find them in the hotel or in town. You will find them in a mall like area outside the hotel to your right, about a 5 minute walk on the opposite side of the road. You will also find public phones and a food market. Just watch the sell by dates!



If you are of the explorer nature, then the trains will come in handy as they are so close. Otherwise I didn't find them noisy or intrusive to the peace and quiet that we sought. Buy a tour book before you go though, as there isn't a lot in English.



We took our own tea bags.



The hotel pool is lovely, but it is cold at the time of year that we went. Although there were some tough souls that took the jump.



The animation team were a bunch of young adults whose job it was to make sure we had fun. They did their jobs well. Personally, I think they had it good. They got to play all day in the sun, and got paid for it.



We were told that it gets very hot in the height of summer. Too hot even for the locals, who found it still very cool when we were all steadily roasting.



You know I could go on and on, as we had such a great time. If you have other questions please leave a comment.



Going on this holiday is worth it. When looking at other reviews check out when they were there, and consider what was important to them and whether it makes them a high maintenance holiday maker. By the way, there were no flies or roaches; not one! And no mosquitoes. Oh, and we saw a dolphin out with a fishing boat. So keep your eyes open.



Well I have said enough. Again if you have questions...



Take care, have a fantastic holiday and please say hello to Mahjoub and to the camel man. He is shorter than the boat man, and not so tubby. I wish I could remember his name! Tell them that a man they all called Rambo and his little wife remember them and wish them well. Even the Jasmin boy. You may even see our photo as you enter the hotel restaurant where they take and display photos. Have a great holiday! I wish I could go with you!