I was about to write my review when I read WelshLady60's review and concur with everything she writes it is so true to our experience. Disgusting place. How on earth Thomas Cook can justify giving it a 4* rating I've no idea - their customers pay up thinking they're going somewhere pleasant. On arrival (having had the experience at the airport of an army of 'porters' who descend upon travellers like locusts) we were so appalled by the room we were shown to that we didn't unpack and were eventually relocated to a different room (with a sea view but about 300 paces - we counted - from the lift to the room door). Pool area swarming with flies and there were stray cats everywhere. And the towels - ughhh! We had gone all inclusive for the first time ever - based on our experience here we'd never do that again! Coffee was disgusting dishwater. Alcohol was strange and seemingly alcohol-free and mixers or soft drinks horrible. Wine, when available was at least drinkable, but after one glass each with an awful dinner we were told they didn't have any more! Again, when we tried to get bottled water at the pool bar the next day we were told they'd run out of it. Never having been to Tunisia before we were starting to wonder if this dirty shabby hotel was the norm, but on our second night we went for a walk to escape the stinking smoke filled lounge and discovered that the hotel next door (the Riveria) was a much more pleasant place. We refused to stay at the Abou any longer and got transferred to the Riviera next day. (We had to sign a waiver to get the transfer.) It was much better but really wouldn't want to return to it either.

Oh Dear, where to start……

My partner and I booked this holiday and checked the reviews and they came across as good.

On arrival, we had to wait for nearly two hours for a room. We were shown to our room, which we checked out and swiftly went back to reception to complain the room was not fit for purpose. They did reallocate a different room. Which was much better that the first we were offered.

The rooms need updating they look tired.

We went to the pool area found ourselves a couple of sun beds, the pool area is not bad, there are a couple of life guards who walk around and offer you cushions for the sun beds. We went for a walk to the beach and visited the beach bar for a snack, this is where our concerns started. The staff behind the counter, make everything look like an effort, they don’t use the tongs provided to handle the food, they don’t use gloves. The plates are plastic and look as if they need a good wash. The same goes for the pool bar, again they handle the food. There were long queues for food again. .

My observations for the weeks stay
No tongs or gloves used for handling the food.
Lack of cutlery, crockery, (clean ones would be nice)
Breakfast time, again had to ask for saucers, and tea spoons.
Atmosphere in the dinning room is non- existent, tablecloths are not changed when they re-sit people. Tables are not set up with clean cutlery, table napkins, table cloths. Only on one occasion when we did visit the restaurant did a waiter make any effort. But we were told to tip them first, it worked that way!!! I refuse to tip when I had had not good service, some service would be nice. The tables were either not cleared after they had been used The queues for food is the worst I have every experienced. The lack of re stocking the empty food containers. The quality of the meals are sub- standard. To a point that after my partner having a one meal, he was taken poorly about an hour after was ill for two days. Therefore we gave eating in the restaurant a miss for the rest of the holiday. Discussing this with other guests it came to light a few people had been ill through the week. The restaurant needs the décor looked at, it is tired, paintwork flaking on the walls and ceilings, the tiles on the floor are cracked, and gives a terrible impression.

The bar in the reception area, is short staffed, the drinks are of poor quality. Lack of suitable glasses, lack of ice for the drinks. They actually ran out of drink on one night.

The reason why I have taken so long to publish a review was that we put a complaint in while we were on holidays and have written a full complaint when we came home, we have had two letters saying that they are investigating the issues raised but nothing since.

The rep I reported my issues to on holidays was just not interested she showed total disregard to my complaint and was not to be found for the rest of the week. Towards the end of the week we were given a new rep, he was excellent he listened, gave me the appropriate form, advised me to see him at a particular time the following day to give him the form for him to send into head office. The last two days we were there – there was a slight improvement but too little too late. On the plus side the animation team work hard, their fire show was good, although I am sure health and safety would have something to say. Would we return to this hotel, NO, although we would return to Tunisia, we had an excellent holiday there the year before.

After reading the 2012 reviews we were a bit concerned about this hotel, and unfortunately we had great reason to be.
First impressions were grubby, smelly and smoke filled! Rude staff, got taken to our first room which was infested with flying ants, hairs and sand all over the floor and dirty bed sheets. Changed rooms, cleaner but again hairs in bathroom, broken shower, too much to list.
Throughout the week glasses were smashed and left by the pool area, flies all over the food, room was never cleaned properly, lots of people had the maids steal their money. One couple even had their suitcase broken into after reception requested their key back! Something very suspicious about this hotel and the standards are disgusting.
I wouldn't stay here again even if you paid me to! Horrible and very very disappointing.

First time in Tunisia and wanted to go home in the first hour. Supposed to have been a birthday treat for my husband but turned into a nightmare. Luckily rep was great and moved us to another hotel which is very nice. A score of 1/5 was too good for this place :0(