Laico Djerba

Just returned from a week, all inclusive, standard room (garden view) at the Royal Kathargo in Djerba. This, in my opinion, is my honest review. Overall it’s an ok complex, relatively tidy, good sized main pool and the lobby lulls you into a false sense of security. On the negative side… The cells are dingy, broken toilet seat, a bath/shower that really needs a ladder it’s that high! Make sure you pack a multi adapter as there’s one free socket. We booked a room for 3, 2 adults 1 child. The second bed, is actually a bench seat and you need to remove the cover. The “garden view” is quite a generous description of a couple of trees in a small square of sand. There’s absolutely no outside space with the room so once you’re in, you’re in. Food is available. I can’t be more specific because it’s either an unlabelled tray of something or the translation needs a little work. I’m not sure what crunchy soup or carrot ice cream are but they don’t sound appealing. I stuck with bread for the last couple of days. Pool wise, it’s a good size, relatively clean with the standard virtually all toweled up beds from 6am onwards. Animation team lurk around most of the day, but if you’re English don’t worry some will go out of their way to avoid you. Pool bar wise, some good staff badly let down by the disinterested or the one individual who gladly informed me that my regional accent was one of his most hated. Not the top one, that was reserved for visitors from Birmingham. Sorry Brummies! Quite the welcome to our first full day there. Aside from that, it’s in the middle of nowhere, transfer back to the airport was a very long slog through the wonderful landscape where the national flower appears to be discarded plastic bottles or bags of rubbish. I’d start on the check in and departures at the airport but at this point I can’t be bothered. Glad to be home!

We arrived just before midnight and I must say the lack of welcome, information and the delays checking in really put me off. I have never experienced a check in like it. I can only assume the guy checking us in (eventually) was the night manager. We were one of two parties arriving at that time, others arrived whilst we waited to be processed. The "manager" walked towards us demanding passports and a voucher. We knew nothing about a voucher (we provided a printed copy of our confirmation) and as at that time there had been no introduction and he could have been anyone he definitely wasn't walking away with our passports. We eventually, some 45 mins to an hour after arriving got checked in but we wouldn't let our passports out of our sight whilst this was completed. The following morning we took an early walk around the grounds and the pools etc before breakfast (we hadn't been told at check in when the meal times were or where the restaurant was either). It became apparent at the poolside that if you want a sunbed you need to get up early and I mean before 6.00 a.m. to reserve one. The pools were great and the animation team, whilst we didn't wish to take part were always happy, friendly and inviting. The beach was spotlessly clean and connected to this hotel. The main pool is protected by a lifeguard and we witnessed him having to jump in to bring a young girl to the side. He did this without hesitation by dropping his phone on the floor and just going for it. I think he may even have still had his wallet in his shorts pocket. We have never seen a more alert poolside lifeguard at any hotel we have stayed at. The buffet restaurant and the food in it was okay. There was always something to choose from. I can recommend the freshly cooked doughnuts for breakfast with a cafe au lait from the machine. We booked both the Italian restaurant (Venus) and the Berber experience too. We also chose to eat lunch at the smaller 5 Continents restaurant. Each of these are bookable using the touch screen just to the right of the reception desk and are included in the All Inclusive offering. Our favourite was the Italian Restaurant and our fantastic, happy and very friendly waiter Ahmed. Great service and always with a smile or a laugh. So despite the poor start we were very happy with this hotel and the staff so much so that we wouldn't hesitate to stay here again. Thanks for a great week where we did absolutely nothing, just what we wanted and needed. Make sure you bring 2 copies of your confirmation with your return flight details on, one as a voucher when checking in and the other to get access to the airport when flying home.

Our honest review. Room comfortable and clean.Animation team happy to chat and like to chat in English as the hotel is mainly French. Bar staff seem to have an issue with the English and either serve you begrudgingly or just walk off with the exception of a couple. Food is ok and you will not starve. Fresh show cooking each evening. We tried the Italian but walked out after the first 2 courses. May of been us but others also doing the same. You can only have wine or water with the meal also.Pool towels have to be paid for. Beach is a nice break from the pool and cleaned each morning. We have had a good week and good value for the money. Just not sure it's for the English and think once busier could be worse. Recommend the day tour was good to see the island and the crocodiles.