Many tourists who are accustomed to excellent service in the Caribbean or in the countries of Southeast Asia, with the advent of the economic crisis, are forced to moderate their needs and consider Tunisia as an alternative to the Maldives and Dominican Republic. But what to expect from the hotels there? And here seasoned tourists come to the rescue of chain hotels. The level of service and maintenance in the Iberostar chain does not depend on where its representative office is located - in Europe, Asia or Africa.
Consider the conditions of rest in the hotel Iberostar Hotel Safira Palms 4 * (Tunisia, Zarzis). Reviews, photos of tourists who rested there recently (in 2016) became for us the basis for writing this article. There is one more clarification. It should be said that from September 2013 the hotel is simply called "I wanted Safira Palmz 4 *", but the management remains the same. This is the representative office of Iberostar in Zarzis, on the Tunisian island of Djerba. And the level of service here is unchanged.
Where is the hotel located and how to get there
Hotel Iberostar Safira Palms 4 * is located on the southernmost island of Tunisia, Djerba. The capital is the city and port of Houmt Souk. At the northern tip of the island is its international airport - Zarzis. But so is the resort area, which is located fifty kilometers from the air harbor. Thus, it takes about an hour to travel from the airport to the hotel.
The Iberostar representative office in the resort area of Zarzis is specially built so as to provide its guests with a quiet and relaxing holiday. The hotel stands on the shores of the beautiful beach of Ra Marmur on the whole of Djerba. And around there is a desert, in the middle of which the Safira Palm Hotel looks like an oasis from the fairy tale “A Thousand and One Nights”. But if you want to plunge into the world of authentic Tunisia, you can take a walk along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea to the village with shops and mosques. And to the center of the town of Zarzis - twelve kilometers.
Hotel Territory
Despite the distance from the settlements, the tourist in Iberostar Safira Palms 4 * will not be bored. After all, this is not even a hotel, but a whole hotel complex, similar to a small town. Its territory is simply huge, and there was a place for pools, a thalassotherapy center, sports grounds, restaurants and cafes. The hotel was built at the very beginning of this century, but was constantly being refined and improved according to new standards of relaxation. The last repair took place recently, in 2014.
The hotel has three buildings. According to the concept that a person feels comfortable in low buildings, they all have three floors. This hotel may well call itself a spa hotel, because, in addition to the thalassotherapy center (this is truly a Tunisian feature), it has a bath complex.
Where do guests stay?
The Iberostar Safira Palms 4 * hotel has three hundred rooms. They do not have a classification and all belong to the deluxe category. Three buildings are set in such a way that most of the rooms open up, if not frontal, at least side views of the Mediterranean Sea. Guest reviews characterize guest rooms as very spacious.
The large room is divided into two zones - a bedroom and a living room. In addition, furnished balconies adjoin the rooms - even those on the ground floor. Featuring a shower, private bathrooms also come with a hairdryer and quality toiletries. The rooms have air conditioning, which copes with the African heat, a small refrigerator, TV, telephone, electronic safe.
Every day there is cleaning when towels are changed and new cosmetic and hygiene items are put. Reviews are happy to note the availability of a clothes dryer and an electric kettle with cups.
Food in Hotel Safira Palms 4 * (Tunisia, Zarzis)
The Tunisian all-inclusive system has its own nuances. They are fed not around the clock, but according to a schedule. Serves vacationers one restaurant. It has an indoor room and a large outdoor terrace on the patio. Chefs specialize in Tunisian and European cuisine. The hotel also has a bar "Sabina". Drinks for holders of All Inclusive bracelets are free. However, only locally produced. And here I must say a few words about the Tunisian system of "all inclusive." In fact, there are paid gastronomic pleasures. For example, a Moorish cafe. There you can smoke a hookah, drink aromatic natural coffee with spices - but for a fee. On the territory of the hotel Iberostar Safira Palms 4 * there is also a disco bar where parties are held. Admission is free, but if you order drinks, they will be written to your account.
What tourists say about the food in the hotel
In this matter, all reviews agree. The food in the hotel is very high quality and varied. A huge number of dishes - meat, fish, and vegetable - are set on the tables for each meal. They give a lot of fruits: watermelons, melons, peaches, plums. Tourists recommend appreciating the delights of Tunisian cuisine. Especially tasty pilaf with green beans. This country is known for its breathtaking desserts. And they, too, can be eaten to the dump in the Iberostar Safira Palms 4 * hotel (Djerba, Tunisia). Reviews warn that since the hotel is chosen by Russian tourists, there may be lines and even scandals in the fight for pancakes and grilled meat. Therefore, you should come to the meal not to the beginning, when the restaurant opens, but to the middle. Tourists claim that you can always choose dishes and diet, and vegetarian, and suitable for baby food. Everyone is satisfied: followers of traditional European cuisine, and those who want to try exotic.
Beach and Pools
The hotel stands on the beach. The sea can be reached in three minutes from any building of Hotel Safira Palms 4 *. Photos of the beach, made by tourists, are very numerous. Still would! A small sand, which is “combed” with a harrow at dawn to remove garbage and seaweed thrown out by a night tide, blue, the sea merging with the sky on the horizon, comfortable sun loungers with a net covering, umbrellas covered with reeds ... It looks like in the Caribbean. True, beach towels are issued against a deposit of ten euros.
The beach strip is very wide, there was a place for a volleyball court. Lezhakov - a lot, do not occupy them at six in the morning. On the shore there is an outdoor terrace with soft pillows, where you can also sunbathe. The area at the Hotel Safira Palms is so significant because most of it is occupied by a swimming pool. It is made in the form of a natural lagoon, has islands seated with palm trees, bridges and passages. There is also a heated indoor pool in the spa area.
Vacation with children
Hotel Safira Palms 4 * (Djerba, Tunisia) reviews are described as a family hotel. For young guests there is a shallow pool. It is next to an adult, which allows parents to always have their child under supervision. But if you want to forget about the children for a while, you can send them to the mini-club. There they will be engaged in creative counselors who will conduct active games, competitions, master classes with them.
On the territory of the hotel complex there is also a playground for very young children with a slide and swings. The restaurant always has high chairs for feeding such crumbs. And, add reviews, at all meals you can find healthy and tasty dishes for children: cereal with milk for breakfast, yoghurts, pancakes and the like. At your request, a cradle for a baby up to two years old will be installed in your room. And for a fee they will send a personal nanny for your child.
Entertainment and sports
Much attention is paid to the active recreation of guests at the Hotel Safira Palms 4 * hotel (Tunisia, Zarzis). Photos of tourists often show them playing mini-golf, mountain biking or water "bananas." Not all types of these sports activities are paid. Money is required only for the use of a tennis court and motorized types of water transport. The services of a windsurfing instructor are also paid.
But absolutely free, you can take catamarans, shoot archery, play bocce and darts. All day, starting with morning exercises, the hotel guests are entertained by a team of animators. The guys are funny, creative, but tactful enough not to bother the adherents of a calm and relaxing holiday. In the evenings, the animation team organizes discos and various shows. Sometimes professional singing and dancing groups are involved in entertainment programs.
Spa, thalassotherapy and other services
At the hotel there are amenities necessary for mobility of people with disabilities, and one of the rooms is fully adapted to their needs. Hotel Safira Palms 4 * (Tunisia, Zarzis) has a sufficient base to hold meetings and other business meetings. There are two conference rooms, a business center, and meeting rooms. The hotel also has a spa and thalassocenter for guests. But the services there are paid. They consist of various kinds of term (tourists especially praised the eastern steam bath hammam), massage and beauty parlors. There is also a heated indoor pool in this center. Thalassotherapy cures a wide range of diseases, from loose nerves to problems with the ridge. Here you can get a hot stone massage and seaweed wraps. For those who like to pump up muscles during their holidays, a fitness room is open.
Iberostar Safira Palms 4 * (Djerba, Tunisia): reviews
Mostly groups from Russia call at the hotel. It is up to you to consider this a plus or minus. The hotel is relatively close to the airport - with a group transfer you will be brought to the hotel first. The territory at Hotel Safira Palms 4 * (photos of tourists demonstrate this) is quite large. The buildings have a patio where you can relax at noon. Wi-Fi is free only at the reception. Tourists liked the spacious rooms, the decor of which traced oriental motifs. They believe that this design makes you feel the local flavor. For excursions in Djerba, travelers recommend a tour of the island and the city of Homt Souk. In the capital of the island you can cheaply buy leather haberdashery, olive oil and souvenirs.