Unfortunately we decided to book a last minute deal this year. The worry was allayed when we were offered a RIU 4star Platinum as we have stayed at these before and had good holidays. The flights were good times as well so we went ahead and booked for 14 nights in September.
When we arrived, one of the managers greets the coach load, shows you where to leave your cases and then proceeds to give you a one hour tour of the hotel which in the heat and your travel clothing was unbearable. Finally you get the traditional plastic bracelet and told which room you are in and you have to go and find it yourself. (4 star platinum, I think not).
The rooms are a good size and the beds comfortable. Overall they are kept clean to a good standard but a bit of "what you see gets done". The toilet seat whenever I lifted it left a bit to be desired as it was all discoloured a nasty orange shade. The bath / shower would have been more useful if the bath had a plug. To make sure we didn't run out of toilet paper as happened the first time it got low, we took a couple of spares from a cleaners trolley and kept them hidden for just such an occassion.

Food, as others have said it is very repetitive and most of it tastes the same due to the sauces it is cooked in. Both my wife and myself had bad stomach upsets during our stay.

Service, apart from clearing the dirty plates away we didn't get any. The table next to us did but they tipped all the time. I believe in tipping good service not tipping to get any service.

Drinks during meals if you didn't get service meant trying to use the central machines. As others have stated, the machines were empty a lot of the time and unusable others due to them just spitting froth into the glass. Most nights we had to wait till we went to the bar after dinner.

Dinner, this was divided into two sittings which you had to book at the beginning of your stay and so you had the same time and same table for the entire two weeks. As said, we have stayed in lots of hotels, and always got a table during the dining period without having set times. Due to them often opening late it meant you were then in a hurry to eat so they could close to prepare for the second sitting.

Fly's, this was a problem across the main and lunch restaurants especially on the salad, cold meats and deserts. This is probably due to the fact that the restaurants are open to the outside and the air conditioning is rarely used.

Air Con, All communal areas and corridors have the doors and windows left open which maintains them at outside temperature. The main air con seems to blow for a minute or two every ten minutes or so for an hour or so each evening but does nothing due to everything being open anyway. Each evening then you are sat around in your dinner clothing feeling like you are in a sauna.
The room aircon is operated by the door swipe card which you obviously have to take with you when you go anywhere so you cannot leave it on and have to get ready for dinner in a room practically at outside temp.

Money exchange at hotel, from personal experience I would warn you to check your receipt and count the money. The first time I changed money I got a hand written receipt with the amount I handed over the exchange rate and the amount I got. The total amount matched what I received so I thought no more about it as this was our first time to Tunisia and I wasn't familiar with their currency especially as it has three figures after the decimal point. It was at the reps meeting when the excursions and exchange rate came up that I thought something was wrong and showed her my receipt. She confirmed that the final column (what I received) was half what it should have been. We went back to the desk and the person tried to keep insisting I had only given him two £10 notes instead of £20's even though he had written £40 in the first column. He kept saying I was wrong or was just "SAYING" I gave £20's (ie lying) until Sandra said she would take it further at which point he went straight to the till and got the other money. After that when we changed money receipts were printed by the machine. One of the couples we met on holiday we told about this and when they changed some money kept an eye on things and part way through counting out the money one of the ten dinar notes went back with his hand. They then counted the money in front of him and it was ten dinars short, he apologized for the mistake and gave it to them. (mistake or coincidence).

The beach whilst alright was not suitable for swimming as the water is full of weed and hidden rocks. The beach bar and lunch restaurant are only about 2/3rds of the way to the beach so are only called what they are as they are the closest.

In conclusion I would say this hotel should be rated 3 star at most and definitly not Platinum and its the first time we've been let down by Thomson.

I travelled with my husband and 28 year old daughter. We spent 2 weeks here returning 27th September 2012. Weather wonderful. Very hot, slight breeze helped. Hotel much better than anticipated from comments on some previous reviews. Rooms excellent. Do try and pay for a pool/sea view. Free fridge to keep your duty free drinks if you want a proper drink on your balcony! They only supply water for fridge.

Some building work still going on next door but actual building looks finished. Not a problem unless you are overlooking the site. Occasionally heard the diggers. Did not affect my holiday.

Hotel supplies free pool/beach towels. Large pool area had louder music playing but was not annoying. Children had own pool with playground and sunbeds. Not many children here. Quiet pool nearer beach was good if you wanted a bit of peace. Free sunbeds on private beach with free canoes,pedalo,windsurfs etc. not many though.

Archery area, french boules areas, 2 clay tennis courts, mini golf, multi sport court, darts, beach volley ball, aqua aerobics. Plenty to do if you want. Inside big indoor pool hardly used but was about 28 degrees. Small gym and good spa facilities. I did try a massage which was good and a pedicure. Prices seemed quite reasonable but try and negotiate as they don't seem to be very busy.

Don't expect waiter service, they only clear plates and glasses!! But then there is no pressure to tip!... But if you do occasionally when you next go to the bar you may jump the queue!! You also take your own bags to your room, which is better than waiting a couple of hours for them to be delivered as in some other hotels.

Staff very friendly if you bother to talk to them as we do. Seems much more relaxed than mainland Tunisia.

Food - good choice, will cook especially for you if you ask them nicely!! Gets repetitive if staying 2 weeks but then this happens everywhere. Asian restaurant makes a change and is quieter but has no air con so is very hot. Tunisian restaurant is ok but they give far too much cous cous. Drinks - ok, will make up any drink you want from what they have. Invent your own cocktail... Drinks don't seem to be very strong though.

Nothing to do outside hotel. Djerba is not a pretty place. It is a barren land full of rubble. The museum is worth a trip, quite pretty. Boat trip to famingo island is ok but no flamingos at this time of year. Wouldn't bother going again.

Animation team try very hard, work long hours. Need to keep their techno music for the disco time later on. Adjust the music for the general age of the customers. Outside entertainment not wonderful but gives the animation team a bit of a rest.

THANK YOU for all the guests that helped my husband enjoy his holiday, especially the BELGIANS who played boules with us, we made many friends.

Would certainly go again, great hotel and great weather for time of year.
BEST FOR A HOTEL BASED HOLIDAY

Went with a large group of friends in May. Rep was approachable and accommodating to individual requests. Food was plentiful and good quality with the added bonus of a choice of available sun beds by the pool during the day - so no early morning setting the alarm and rushing for a space by the pool! Lots of fun organised activities to suit both children and adults. All inclusive - recommend this hotel as reasonably priced but quality accommodation and services.

The only issue we found was the inside bar staff were slow serving in comparison to the pool bar

Overall really good value.

Just returned yesterday, and this holiday was great, hotel so clean and smart looking, staff so helpful and nothing was too much trouble!!!Sandra the Thomson rep was absolutely great, knowledgeable and really went that extra mile as my partner has a disability, she was so good!!! The food was fantastic, a huge variety in choice and something for everyone!! The outdoor pool was wonderful, there was a quiet seperate pool, a childs pool and an indoor pool which i personally loved, had it all to myself as weather so good everyone was outside. the beach was private and was well maintained, and most water sports were free to use!!!! When all said and done, this holiday was truelly great, and would return to the Club Hotel Riu Palm Azur any time!!!