Salem Hotel

We believe we had excellent value for money at the Salem Hotel. It may not be the most luxurious hotel we've ever stayed in but it was comfortable, friendly, and we always ate well.

I really enjoyed 1) the variety and choice of food at every meal - I was on full board and ate very healthily, if a little too much, over our 2 week holiday.

2) the friendliness of the staff. I happened to mention that it was my husband's birthday when ordering drinks at lunchtime and in the evening our table was beautifully decorated. The waiters sung happy birthday and presented him with a delicious cake.

3) the cleanliness of the whole hotel.

4) our room We weren't entirely happy with our first room so we were moved to another which was just fine.

5) the indoor pool at the sister hotel close by.

6) the beach - it was lovely!

We wanted a relaxing winter break in a warmer, though not hot, climate, at a very modest price and the Salem did us proud.

Overall it was a good holiday enjoyed the experience relaxed and enjoyed the weather.

Tunisia is generally a dirty country, and there are very few litter bins to be found.

There is no concept of public safety, especially for the elderly or very young, with a lack of hand rails, grab-rails, ramps, or upkeep of footpaths. Kerbs are high, and ramps only exist in expensive touristy areas or hotels, where they are usually made of materials which become slippery during Tunisian rainy months (of which there are many).

Dust and sand cover every vehicle, and keeping things clean in the winter is evidently very difficult according to the locals.

Service in Tunisia is generally prompt, and polite.

If you're unsure of when to tip, or how, just think of when you would tip in Europe, which is usually when you've had very good or helpful and friendly service. The currency is the Dinar. 2 dinars, 390/400 milimes = £1. 10 dinars = about £4.70. The usual amount to tip is about 1 or 2 dinars, for very good service, or to leave small change if service was good, but not more than that.

Tunisians may not be Islamic Fundamentalists, but there are dress codes that even the most westernised youngsters follow : keep your shoulders and knees covered when going into a town or city. Long shorts, joggers, jeans, or lightweight trousers, worn with short sleeved T shirts, shirts, or tops are acceptable, (depending on your sex of course), but men walking along with no top, or girls/women in strapless boob-tubes and short skirts would definitely get unwelcome looks of disdain, and maybe even insults. One of the locals told me that girls dressed this way are viewed as 'less than prostitutes'. I shouldn't have to say more !

There are stray cats everywhere, which are often liked and fed by the Tunisians, although through necessity, or ignorance, they are fed on couscous or vegetables. Don't they realise that cats are carnivores and live on meat?

A trip to the specially set up tourist areas like Port el Kantoui or Yasmine Hammamet can prove expensive, and they are over-rated.

I STAYED AT THE SALEM HOTEL, AND FOUND IT VERY COMFORTABLE AND CONVENIENT. THE STAFF WHERE GREAT AND THE RESTAURANT WAS NICE. IT'S A THREE STAR HOTEL, AND YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. THE BEACH IS LITERALLY 2 MINS AWAY FROM THE HOTEL GARDEN!

THOMSON DO SOME GREAT EXCURSIONS. WE WENT ON 3, AND ALL WERE GREAT DAYS OUT. IF YOUR A CULTURE VULTURE, I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU TRY THESE. IN TWO DAYS, WE CHECKED OUT SIX CITIES/TOWNS, AND DID LOTS OF SHOPPING.

Our holiday at Salem Hotel was great; there are 3 hotels on the complex: Hotel Salem, Royal Salem and Salem Beach. Port El Kantaoui is a lovely place which is only a short ride in a taxi. It is about 2.400 dinar for a bottle of larger (about £1), foods cheap too if you want to eat out. Go see the rep show; it's very good (well done). Don't forget to tip waiters and taxi drivers they work hard. Hotel Salem is clean but needs updating, Royal Salem next door is more updated and is very nice inside.