My fiance and I returned on the 6th July from the Phenicia and we were sad to leave. Having never tried All Inclusive before I wasn't sure what to expect but the hotel more than exceeded my expectations.
The whole place was immaculately clean. The staff were freindly but never pushy (we did tip every few days, but not all the time for every drink - if you were polite and friendly to them and said thank you with a smile, they returned the sentiment).
The food was always hot and freshly cooked. Everything was constantly replenished.
There was also plenty of choice with something to suit the fussy ( pizza, chips) and the more adventurous (local cous cous dishes etc). There were always options such as red meat/ poultry/ fish and plenty of veg and salads. The freshly preaperd pasta dishes were exceptionally good according to my other half! We never went hungry at all. Far from it!
You did share your table if you were a couple. From what I've heard this is similar to the cruise ship style of doing things and really isn't a problem unless you don't like to be social.
The food in the a la carte restaurant wasn't as good as the main buffet, but it was a nice change from having to go and fill your own plate.
The pool areas and beach were lovely and well kept, though you did have to rise early for sunbeds by the main pool. This is no criticism of the hotel though - I have seen this in most places around the Med.
It was also refreshing to be surrounded by not just Brits but lots of European nationalities.
The entertainment was enjoyable. The team were friendly and funny and work very hard as well as speaking about 10 languages! The shows are good fun and I disagree with other reviews that have slated some of the evening entertainment. You have to appreciate it's not Las Vegas and just enjoy it!
All in all the holiday was fabulous. Completely restful. We didn't venture out because all we wanted to do was relax. I would suggest perhaps it's not for you if you like to go out wandering etc. But if you want to chill out with the option of the odd game of water polo/ karaoke session if you like it, then this is a great option and I'd go back in a second.

We have recently returned from 10 days at the Phenicia and although we had a nice relaxing time, but I don't think that I'll go back to Tunisia.

The hotel in general was fine the reception and bar areas and the pool are very nice and quite chic looking deserving the 4* rating, however the rooms are very basic and not what I would expect of a 4*. My opinion is perhaps influenced by the fact that we were allocated a ground floor room with the view of a brick wall....but I guess someone has to have those rooms.

We stayed All-Inclusive (not sure if there are any other options) and the food was nice......for the first 3 or 4 nights and then you realise that it is the same sort of thing over and over again. And be warned - you have to table share. We did not know this and on the first night turned up early to the restaurant so it was pretty empty still, and then we were shown to a table that already had another couple sat at it - obviously they explained the situation and we actually ended up getting on really well with them and the next couple that we had (you have the same table for the whole holiday, and therfore the same people to sit with unless they go home before you, then you get new people). Luckily they do seem to sit people of the same age and nationality together to make it easier I guess.

There is an "A La Carte" restaurant which you can use once (free of charge) during your stay.....but to be honest I prefered the buffet. In the a la carte you get a pre-set 7 course meal (Crudites, Soup, Fish, Sorbet, Main Course, Dessert and then mint tea), but its served like its on a conveyor belt, you have barely finished that last mouthful of one course and they have bought out the next! And be warned if you don't like a course or you're too full to finish it, the waiters seem very offended!

The bar areas are nice in the evening. It is best if you can get a table on the balcony, but there are only about 10-12 of them and 800 guests! Some of the waiters are very good and will bring you drinks all night, others you have to call over. The bar does get quite busy and some of the guests are not as polite as others.....they would not care that you were clearly waiting before them, they will order anyway and the bar staff don't really seem to have much method in who they serve. So best to tip a waiter well on the first night and keep tipping him throughout the holiday and you will have good service.

The entertainment team try hard and all very friendly, but to be honest I prefered to avoid the entertainment, although some people seemed to like it. Except the Beach Party which happen twice a week and is the only time it is safe to go to the beach at night, and even then don't stray away from the crowd.

This was the first time that I have been to Tunisia, and I can't see that I will go back. We were too scared to leave the hotel after constant stories from the Reps and other holiday makers of being harrassed by numerous camel ride offers, carpet sellers etc etc. And not in nice way, they are very pushy and will say anything to trick you into getting on to the camel or going in to the carpet shop. The hotel also seemed quite isolated anyway.

I don't want to say that the hotel is bad, because its not. I just think that Tunisia is not for me and neither is the all inclusive option. I prefer to be able to leave the hotel to go out to eat and to choose what to have and to be able to walk on the beach at night.

We have just returned from a week at the phenicia on june 29th, we had a lovely week with few problems, the rooms are basic but sufficient for the amount you are in them. we found the hotel to be very clean and the staff never seem to stop our waiter was at breakfast and still there at 9pm at night. Food was pretty good (especially the pancakes) a little bit repetative but nice for a week. A word of warning though men are only allowed in the restaurant on an evening if they are wearing long trousers no smart shorts or 3/4 lengths, altough women were allowed in what i would call beach shorts which seemed abit unfair.
We did not feel at all pressured over the tipping we tipped daily but friends tipped at the end of the week and were treated the same. Our waiter even remembered what drinks we liked and had them waiting on our table each evening which was a nice touch.
We like to wander round the local shops on an evening but the only 3 we found within walking distance we got that much hassle to buy we didnt bother again, we also wanted to go to the local market but were told that was even worse so did'nt bother with that either, if you want a hotel with places to walk to on an evening then this is not the hotel for you, if you want a relaxing holiday in a nice hotel with friendly staff, nice pool, beach, food and plenty to drink then i'd recommend this one.

What can I say? Our stay at the Phenicia was totally outstanding, we have just come back (me, my wife & 13 yr old son) from a two week holiday. Yes the bedrooms are a little tired but i don't know about you, we only use them to sleep & get ready in for which they are perfectly adiquate, comfortable & clean. I read the previous review & yes we had one cockroach in our room which we informed the guest relations woman (who is always walking around talking to the gusets) she told us these were common & come through the plug holes in the bathroom which we blocked every night & no more problems! As for the cleaning, we found no fault whatsoever, the cleaners work very hard & they have a lot put up with! All the staff were brilliant & were happy to serve you, we gave some of them a small tip now & then & they could not do enough for you! The food was amazing, such a variety every meal time (nobody should go hungry)! We had no upset stomachs nor did we hear of anybody else in the hotel neither. Be warned!, men do have to wear long trousers at the restuarant in the evening for dinner, they will not let you go in even if they are long 3/4's, I only had two pairs of long trousers which I had to wear for a fortnight! The entertainment in the evening was a little tongue-in-cheek, but don't forget you are in a different country & there are a lot of different nationalities there, the animation staff work very hard but they can't please everyone, just go along with it & you might end up enjoying it! The activities were plentiful & well supervised by the animation team, they were brilliant with our son (who was the only English lad there of his age at that time) & involved him all the time, if you didn't want to join in you weren't pestered. In all the best all inclusive we've stayed at!