Oh where to begin.... On the positive, the Helios is right on the beautiful beach, about 30 mins by cab from the airport (expect to pay a few euros...cabs are dirt cheap here), the site is spectacular and if you're an early riser you will be treated to amazing sunrises over the ocean (sunsets less spectacular as they give over a sandy marsh.
So what's wrong? In a word everything!. The mediocre facilities are in dire need of renovation. Everything looks old. Not classic old, just mediocre old. The food, while abundant (it's a buffet) is highly repetitive and quite bland. Barely any tunisian food, except Thursday nights which is actually good or coucous on the lunch buffet. Deserts are awful...stick with Ice cream. Salads, breakfast are all identical day in and day out. Same for afternoon snacks. Pancakes every day and nothing else. As for animation, same boring activities every day with staff more interested in socializing than doing fun activities. As for cleanliness, our room, a suite, was barely cleaned. Many items missed. I wouldn't say it was dirty as much as mediocre cleaning. Also, avoid the al-inclusive. The alcohol served is all local and Tunisia is not exactly known as making great gin or scotch. Bring your own from duty free
This is the type of hotel that needs to fast forward from the 80's to 2018. Internet is slow, TVs are small with limited channel, amenities are at a strict minimum. Basically, the hotel strives to excel in mediocrity!