Hotel Lella Baya & Thalasso

“Brilliant Lella Baya, Magnifique!”

We arrived early on the 12th April due to our 0535 departure ex London Gatwick and after a taxi ride got to our hotel about 0945 and from the outside it looks like something from Star Wars. Getting into reception we were quickly told go and grab breakfast as it finishes at 1000. All in a daze we ... more

We arrived early on the 12th April due to our 0535 departure ex London Gatwick and after a taxi ride got to our hotel about 0945 and from the outside it looks like something from Star Wars. Getting into reception we were quickly told go and grab breakfast as it finishes at 1000. All in a daze we made our way to the huge dining room and grabbed a quick bite not quite managing to take anything in being so tired from our early start. Anyway we got back to reception afterwards and were told check in was at 1400 but he would try and see at 1200 if there were any leavers. We decided to have a tour of the hotel very tired , it was a cloudy, drizzly day but we managed to get our bearings and had a game of boulles and a lay down till about 1300 we checked in had to pay city tax (approx £10.00 each i think) and an extremely helpful porter carried our bags to our room which at the time seemed miles away. Our room was huge with 4 single beds in despite there only being the 2 of us , we had great views from our balcony across all the grounds including massive pool a bathroom with bath and shower and a small fridge (wasn't the greatest and we could've told reception but we weren't overly fussed). we caught some zeds missed lunch which is 1200 till 1400 and got up for dinner. We had seen other reviews mocking what was on offer but from day 1 till the final day we loved what was on offer and couldn't understand how anyone could not have something ! from salads to rice, pasta, couscous every meat you could want fresh bread baked in front of you was amazing ! the staff were so attentive topping you up with beer , wine , water, whatever you wanted (we were all inclusive btw). A smile being polite goes a long way and we got friendly with a lot of the staff not just in the restaurant . At the bar where i consumed many beers and rums and my better half loads of gins Ramzi and co laughed and joked and knew what i wanted after a few days . Then there is the entertainment team including Osama and Aya but they were all always mingling with all guests starting 0900 till finish around midnight . Darts, Table tennis , dancing, quiz nights in the evening , kids disco which they all loved ( I have the Chocolate song as my ear worm now !) we also had Tunisian entertainment including belly dancer and a guest Italian drumming band they helped make the evenings whizz by even if we were the only English guests it didnt matter one bit! On the 2nd complete day I stupidly left my mobile phone in a taxi and on return from Hammamet i had hoped that perhaps maybe the driver returned it to the hotel , the guy on reception was so helpful as were the security team checking CCTV calling the taxis and going above and beyond. I knew it was a long shot and i never did get my phone back but again a brilliant example of how helpful the staff were to try their utmost to help. Another example was my football team Luton Town were playing Man City and i asked if they were able to put the game on tv which of course they did ( we lost as expected but the beer sun and company made it less of a bad deal) Yasmine Hammamet was quiet being April and to be honest for us not the ideal location as we prefer authentic and historic but for others I'm sure it would be perfect as it does offer a hell of a lot still. Buses (155) to Hammamet and Nabeul ,stops around the corner are dirt cheap not overly regular but interesting busy and great for people watching although we were the ones being watched being tourists ! Overall the hotel was perfect especially for what we paid and the staff , we had a few things that for others would be made into big things but by highlighting they were immediately resolved and again just a smile and being friendly works both ways. We didn't use the spa or indoor pool or take up the offer of excursions but they are there if wanted. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending and don't get put off by other reviews , yes there are a lot of French people , its very clean in my opinion, food amazing and staff faultless. Go go go

less