El Hana International — Hotel in Tunis

I stayed at El Hana twice for one night at beginning and end of a recent trip around Tunisia. I read reviews on here prior to booking but I was still adamant to stay - the reason being that I stayed in Tunis 10 years ago at a different hotel and I looked up at this huge building, decided then that I would stay there one day as the view must be magnificent. ||I found all the staff at the hotel very helpful, friendly and welcoming. A little bit old fashioned in approach but it is charming in my opinion - a little bit Agatha Christie-ish feeling in the lobby with dressed up porters.||Rooms on both occasions were really good size, clean and tidy and bed very comfortable. Pillows need replacing. Furniture might want some love though. Bathroom the same, clean and functional. On my first stay the TV didn't reach any English speaking channels but the second stay had a few. Strangely both rooms were on same floor. But I wasn't in Tunis to watch TV, no way! Tunis city is one of the most underrated cities I've visited, there are historic places on its doorstep such as Carthage. ||View from the rear over the city and partially towards the sea was magnificent, truly appreciated. ||Breakfast was quite good, simple but tasty send a decent start to the day. ||I'm already planning my next visit to Tunisia in October and will happily stay...

The staff at reception are about as laid back as you can imagine. We visited to use the rooftop bar, during ramadan but after iftar. We were casually waved in the vague direction of the lift. There are amazingly only two moderately sized lifts for what is the largest old pile of a hotel on the main drag here. It puts one in mind of a Soviet hotel with all the expected lack of frills to accompany the cold war experience. After an eternity to reach the roof (the lift was so slow we were expecting to be left out in another time zone) the place was almost deserted - on a Saturday night nearly Eid, while the streets were quite literally bustling with energy below. We decided not to bother with drinks as there was absolutely no atmosphere - this despite a keboard player who launched into action when we arrived. Quite the most miserable bar staff who said simply "gin, whiskey or vodka" when we asked about the potential for a cocktail. Was very glad indeed we weren't staying here as the hospitality and customer service stank. However - and this is the only thing the hotel management/staff cannot take credit for - the view from the roof is great...

The only good thing about this Hotel is the location, being right on the main strip Avenue Habib Bourghiba. |Everything else is appalling. |I had paid for a 4 night stay and was greeted at the reception on checking in by a very rude male member of staff who would not even let me speak to explain that my other accompanying traveller was not coming. |After checking in to my room, I reported that the TV didn't work and no plugs for the sink and bathtub. After several requests, 2 days later nothing had been fixed. |There was only 1 towel in my room on checking in and 1 wet toilet roll which was not even replaced the 2nd day. |Breakfast was mediocre and the coffee was terrible. I only had it once. |Hotel is very dated and the lifts are dreadful with doors that slam shut and feel rickety. |After only 2 days, I checked out. Stuff the money wasted, I could not stay...