Regency Tunis Hotel

Regency Tunis Hotel is a large resort on the Cotes de Carthage in Gammarth, north of Tunis, with 227 rooms and a private beach. It offers Superior, Deluxe and Junior Suite rooms with garden or beach views, an indoor pool, two outdoor pools, a children's pool and a swim-up bar, plus a poolside bar and a beach bar with sun loungers. The Angelite Spa offers manicures, body treatments and wraps, and a health club runs fitness classes. There are six on-site restaurants serving Mediterranean and international cuisine, a buffet breakfast, free WiFi, free self parking, air conditioning, 24-hour room service and childcare services. The property is listed as a five-star property, though guest reviews are mixed, averaging around 6.8 out of 10 from about 180 reviews, and several guests say it does not match five-star expectations, so read recent reviews.

Location and getting around: Gammarth is a resort suburb with beaches, restaurants and nightlife, about a half-hour drive from Tunis-Carthage airport. Carthage Museum is roughly a seventeen-minute drive away. The TGM train does not reach Gammarth directly, so you will need taxis or a hired car for the city sights, and this is the main trade-off: the beach and pools are the draw, while the medina and the Bardo are a drive away. The hotel can arrange an airport shuttle for a fee, which is useful on arrival.

Rooms and who it suits: with its pools, childcare and several restaurants, the Regency suits families and groups who want a beach holiday with a few days of sightseeing. Beach-view rooms cost more than garden rooms, and the junior suites give extra space. The beach service is seasonal, and one guest reported it was not open in late May, so confirm the facilities for your dates, especially outside high summer. It is less suited to travellers who want to walk to cafes and monuments in the evening.

Good to know: a buffet breakfast is available, often for a surcharge, and guests frequently praise its selection. Free parking is on site, which helps if you rent a car for day trips to Dougga or El Djem. In November the beach is quiet and the outdoor pools may be less used, so check what is open before you book. Pair a few nights here with a few nights in the medina or Sidi Bou Said if you want both the sea and the history. Prices are usually mid-range and often include meal plans, so compare options on Expedia.