• 1
• 2

This lively Mediterranean port, north Africa's newest spot for culture and history travelers, boasts fine hotels and restaurants.

Several of Tunis' hotels extend a warm welcome to families and the country's star rating system is useful in selecting one. The three-star (comfortable tourist class), four-star (extras like a minibar, more than one restaurant or bar), or five-star ratings (typically a pool, larger rooms, bathrooms with separate shower and toilet facilities) posted on websites and in lobbies mean government regulated pricing as well.

Tunis Hotels

La Maison Blanche
45 Ave Mohamed V
Tunis
216 71 849849
This five-star Best Western affiliate is a find in Tunis. A contemporary style and large, gracious suites make up the small, 47-room property centrally located on blvd. Mohammed V. While there is nothing special to attract travelers to this neighborhood of banks and businesses, it's within a quick taxi ride (under DT5/US $4) of most local sights and restaurants. At this white eight-story tower, each junior suite offers guests a full living room area with minibar and TV, dining table with four chairs, a work desk and complimentary Internet access, and two beds or a king size bed, with plenty of room for one or two rollaway beds. A small dressing area boasts two full size closets and a safe, and leads to a bathroom tiled in the vivid patterns of Kairouan, with a separate bathtub, shower stall and toilet. The large marble vanity offers a makeup mirror, hairdryer and a variety of toiletries for each guest. To have so much living space for a family, one that is accompanied by super service, a friendly staff, small business center, excellent French restaurant, stylish bar, and a breakfast room (sorry, the breakfast buffet is ordinary), makes La Maison Blanche an excellent value. All it needs for perfection is a pool. Rates range from DT225-DT250 (US$177-US$200) per night for a double room, plus DT25 per extra bed, depending on season.

Dar Said
Rue Toumi 2026
Sidi Bou Said, Tunis
216 71 729 666
For a totally different choice, one that recalls the grandeur of Arab décor in the last century, travelers without a budget must consider Dar Said in a wealthy north Tunis enclave. Calling itself a dar or family house in Arabic, this enormous maze of rooms and courtyard gardens is a totally charming 24- room hotel de charme, as the French like to say. Each uniquely intimate room might have an ornately tiled wall, or a gilded four-poster bed, or homespun rugs or pillows, plus a marble bathing area with the finest amenities and the mod-cons of air-conditioning, heat, Internet access, laundry service. However, only a few accommodate more than two guests with a rollaway bed. Dar Said's hilltop location in picturesque Sidi Bou Said allows guests to remain tranquilly above the din of tourists and locals strolling the main street, while they enjoy a small swimming pool, outdoor parlors, dining area, and a bar draped in bougainvillea overlooking the Mediterranean in the distance. Dar Said will not be appropriate for all families, but it is a very special place to stay. Rates for two from DT245-DT445 (US$200-US$360) per night including taxes.

Renaissance Carthage
La Marsa, Tunis
216 7191 09 00
In the warm summer months, Tunis is best appreciated from a seafront base. Several miles north of the active freight and cruise ship ports at La Goulette, there are some fine-sand, clean, well tended swimming beaches. Of the many large resort style hotels, we can recommend the sumptuous, 201-room Renaissance, a Marriott brand hotel in La Marsa, about 20 minutes from downtown.. The rose pink grand lobby and public spaces are opulent without losing their Tunisian grace, and the two pools tucked into a verdant lawn dotted with chaises and umbrellas are very welcoming at the end of a day of sightseeing. With all the mod-cons one would expect in an American hotel, the rooms are surprisingly small for their price (DT300 or US$260/N per double room with one king or two single beds; baby cots and children under 12 stay free), and only accommodate one rollaway bed (DT40/N). Families with more than a small child under 12 should reserve two rooms that connect through adjacent doors.

Within Tunis' downtown, there is also a contemporary Hotel Mercure, part of the French Accor chain located in the business district, and an elegant hilltop Sheraton Hotel next to the Bardo Museum, formerly the popular Hilton. Both provide very clean and comfortable business class accommodations.