“Marhaba!” Sing the staff as you enter the reception area of one of Sousse’s biggest hotels. “Now the fun begins!” And it really does. The Hotel Marhaba Beach -which translates roughly as ‘The Beach Welcome Hotel’ – is an all-singing, all-dancing, all-inclusive beachfront spot that believes in fun with a capital F. If you’re looking for a carefree, sun-and-sea vacation without any worries about planning meals and drinks, and you don’t mind the cheese factor (the cabaret nights here can be a little cringeworthy) the Hotel Marhaba Beach is your spot.

True to its name, it sits smack bang on Sousse’s golden sands, and there’s a private beach for guests with camel rides for the kids (and non-cynical adults), banana boats, fresh fruit salesmen and daily yoga and dance classes. It’s a ten-minute walk from Sousse’s main strip, where there are a couple of malls and some themed restaurants, but most guests at the Marhaba Beach opt for all-inclusive deals – usually booked through tour operators like Thomas Cook, although you can make independent reservations.

The best thing about this hotel? Everyone genuinely seems to be having a great time. The karaoke nights ellicit screams of laughter from the good-time crowd, the bars are busy with couples of all ages and there are free chichah water pipes quite literally on tap. The all-inclusive deals are admittedly pretty sweet; during the low season, full board rooms go for as little as US80 per night, and that includes as many chicken pies, bowls of fresh salad, local fish dishes and slices of chocolate cake as you can stomach. Unlimited beers, wine and selected cocktails are included, which might help explain the karaoke nights, and of course there are juices, teas, coffees and snacks on hand as well.

The rooms at the Marhaba Beach – twins, doubles and extended rooms if you’re travelling with children – could benefit from an update, but they are well cared for and the staff do pay attention to detail. Some come with pretty Tunisian-style wall decals. Every room has a balcony; ours looked out over the tennis court, and we woke after a good night’s sleep to the gentle thud of felt on tarmac, as the sun rose high in the blue sky. There’s plenty to keep the family happy besides tennis; there are several pools, an adjacent spa, snack bars, gift shops, a massage room and even a fish foot spa that comes with nibbling doctor fish that will exfoliate tough skin and make you giggle.

Don’t come expecting luxury or lashings of class – for those, you’re better off at the swish Movenpick Hotel down the street – but if you’re after a vacation that won’t break the budget, will leave you relaxed, sunkissed and laughing – and will have the kids begging to stay longer – we think the Marhaba Beach Hotel will shine for you.