Fantastic, beautiful, modern, clean, spacious, and friendly hotel. Great choice of food and excellent service from the waiters. We had a lovely sea/pool view room which was cleaned thoroughly, every day, including fluffy new towels, even the maids were friendly. Animation team were fantastic, my 7 year old daughter loved them all, especially Kimo. The negatives about this hotel would be that the majority of guests were German and Russian, but we didn't have to race to the sunbeds tho as there were plenty. If you like to wander outside the hotel there is nothing but a supermarket and poor roads for a few miles, and Madhia town centre really is awful, but we were happy staying within the hotel grounds.

This hotel was lovely. Clean, spacious rooms, side view with both sea and town view, the best of both worlds. Listening to the call to prayers echoing over the town at night was magical.
The food was excellent. Breakfast had everything you could wish for, fresh fruit, cereal, fresh yoghout, all types of eggs, fresh breads, french pastries, pancakes, fresh omlettes, cheeses, hams, lovely fresh conserves, good coffee and tea, and the fruit smoothies were absolutely delicious.

Lunch again was superb, with huge selections of salads, soups, breads, cooked meats, fresh pasta, casseroles, and lovely cakes and fresh fruits. The wines, red and white, and the local beer were excellent.

The evening meals we had sitting on the veranda and this was a lovely way to spend a couple of hours eating lovely food and drinking wines. The food was a selection of turkish food, shellfish, huge rice and shellfish dishes, lots of vegetables in lovely sauces, amazing fish at both lunch and dinner, all freshly cooked. We could not fault it. The staff serving were excellent.
We hired a taxi for the day to go to trips, which was much more convenient and cheaper than going on the tour buses. We went on the Aliba Cruise which is advertised and sold by the entrance to the beach, next to the beach bar. This is an absolute must, the best value trip we could have had. We went with our daughter and boyfriend and it is something that we would not have gone on otherwise. What a mistake that would have been! We were taken on the little train to the harbour and boarded a pirate ship. The staff were so entertaining and friendly, we had a great sail along the coast, then anchored and swam in the sea. A great experience. They cooked a bbq and it was good. Great value for money.

The bad thing.
Included in the all inclusive package is a trip to the spa. This is apparently not owned by the hotel. Take care as the staff appear to be running a scam. I was told by the Thomas Cook rep that a steam and exfoliation was included in our all inclusive. I went and booked for a steam and exfoliation( a rassull I believe it is called), a reflexology and a stone massage the next day. I was told the amount, approx 140 d. I paid 120d as I had not enough on me. I was not given a receipt with itemised items. but thought that this was a lot.

I had the steam treatment, exfoliation and then had some green cream applied. Then I had the reflexology. This in no way was reflexology as is known in the UK. He had absolutely no idea of what this was meant to be and after a very painful 30 minutes it finished with my deciding not to have the treatment the next day. I therefore cancelled and asked for a refund. I was given 90d. I asked why the difference and was told that I had paid for the reflexology and the steam treatment. I explained that the steam treatment was included in the all inclusive, but he said that it was not. He said that the exfoliation was extra. As the Thomas Cook agent had told us the day before that this was included, I insisted that I should not pay for this. He then said that it was the green cream that cost extra.

I waited until the Thomas Cook rep arrived and explained to him the situation. He saw the duty reception manager and after many arguments the manager accepted that a mistake had been made and I would get a refund the next day.

When I asked the next day for the refund, I was told by the duty reception manager, that I would not get a refund, even though he had promised the Thomas Cook rep. that I would be. I telephoned the Thomas Cook number that we had been given and left a message for the rep. When the duty reception manager saw me doing this, he went into the back and about 10 minutes later came back and said that I could have the refund. Was this because I had not backed down and had rung the rep? I think so. What a shame that such a lovely hotel could be spoilt by a terrible spa. None of the spa's water features worked, some were broken, and the jacoozi was inoperable.

However, back to the hotel. The pools were so clean, lots of loungers and the staff on the beach were very helpful. Paying them a small tip is such good value as they find you a free lounger and umbrella.

The lounge bar served lovely cocktails and good gin and tonics. I do not know how the animation staff have the energy to keep on doing so many things at all times of the day and night. They work so hard. We saw a very good fire eater, a great theatrical performance.

Be careful of the sellers in the medina, the trick now is to say they are working at your hotel and please come into see their family shop. Obviously from the wrist band given by the hotels to guests.

The shop in the hotel, downstairs by the outside restaurant, is excellent. It is much cheaper than the medina and there is no hassle by the owners. We purchased pottery at the medina and found it to be half the cost in the shop!!

A very good hotel and we would go again.

Firstly the bad & I mean BAD! Nouvelair (Thomas Cook) from Gatwick on 21st September 2011. We knew before we booked there would be no food on this flight but it was announced at the boarding gate there would also be no drinks not even water, a mad panic for the vending machine where a small bottle of water was purchased for £1.60 but could only get one. The plane was over hot & they did manage to get round with the duty free but only alcohol & the usual stuff you buy on the plane & they were right absolutely no non alcoholic drinks for the duration.
Arrived at Edfina airport & ushered out as quickly as possible to the waiting coaches, small bottle of water already gone, half way through our journey to Mahdia we were ushered into a small van, curtains all around with a driver who spoke no English & driven to our resort. It was extremely hot, dusty & dirty & a little scary in the van but we arrived safely & gasping for a drink, it was by now 1:45am & we think Thomas Cook should be ashamed of themselves, we had left Gatwick at 5pm & apart from our small bottle of water had had nothing to drink for nearly 7hrs. You can't treat animals in transit like this & you shouldn't be able to treat humans this way! I suffered a sore throat & flu like symptoms for most of the rest of my 7days, classic symptoms of severe dehydration & now home still have the remnants of this!
The check-in was painless & were taken to our room where we were informed food was waiting in the restaurant for us, it was definitely left over from dinner, cold, congealed & uninviting with dry rolls, well we had drink but couldn't have tea or coffee, fortunately we found a bottle of water in the fridge in our room & devoured most of it

And so the holiday begins
In the light of day the resort was lovely & breakfast was ok with plenty of choices to satisfy the fussiest of eaters
We then ventured to the pool areas & wow sparkling, stunning & clean, there was no problem getting shade & loungers although several times during our stay we did find it would have helped to be German, Russian or French, that said it did not spoil our time at El Mansour & most of the staff would help with a smile
The animation team were tireless & enthusiastic doing their very best to include everyone should they wish to join in
The beach here is to very good & the sea warm if a little rough but that just made it better for us as we love the crashing of the waves but it is not the place for a lilo take this to the pool!
We took the 'Noddy Train' into Madhia & saw the sights here stopping at a museum & walking through the market etc., our guide was very infomative with good English, German & French it was well worth the money, though not expensive in the first place just 10 dr each
The doughnuts at the snack bar, 3:30pm daily, are to die for you really do have to try them!

All in all we would say we had a great time, met some lovely people & would like to go back again perhaps to another area as there is nothing to do outside the resort in Mahdia unless you want to travel, just a shame Thomas Cook/Nouvelair let the side down but then I wouldn't travel with them again as it was the worst flight I have ever been on, even on the flight home the plane was freezing so it's a no wonder I have this kind of flu thing
Great holiday but don't go Thomas Cook from Gatwick!!!!!

Just got back from a one week stay at Iberostar and loved it. Yes, the transfers are terrible (landed at Tunes took 4 hrs to get to Mahdia) but the Resort is worth it. The staff is all friendly, from the reception desk, who ask you to take a seat and serve you cocktails on arrival until check in is complete, to the beach staff who actually take you to the sun shades and place your sun bed.
The rooms are spacious, clean and have a fantastic view (got a side room with sea and town view). The food –buffet - is plenty never ends no matter what time you go in for a meal and vary. The Italian and Oriental Restaurant are not worth trying out at all. The restaurant staff are fantastic, we ended up sitting in the same area because one of the staff actually reserved us a table for every meal, and we just tipped him on the last day, so yes they do appreciate a tip, but the smile and friendliness is always there. Plenty cocktails and beverages to choose from and the animation team are very communicative and interact with all the guest. The beach has hotel security to keep the vendors at bay, they walk along the shore and you go to them if you want to but anything, banana and water mattress rides are all inclusive. We had a great stay, highly recommend the Resort and would certainly go back, a fantastic way to end the Summer.