The Residence Tunis sits on the coast at Gammarth, in the La Marsa area north of Tunis, and it is among the most complete luxury resorts in the country. The property has about 170 rooms, from Deluxe Rooms of around 420 square feet with sea, pool or garden views to one-bedroom suites of roughly 980 square feet. Rooms have air conditioning, marble bathrooms with a separate tub and shower, balconies, a pillow menu and free WiFi. The beach is private, with loungers, umbrellas and towels, a beach bar and watersports. The spa is the centrepiece: a full-service thalassotherapy centre with ten treatment rooms, hydrotherapy, a Turkish bath, a sauna and steam room, and an indoor seawater pool under a cupola. There is also a seasonal outdoor pool open from spring to autumn and a children's pool, an 18-hole golf course on the edge of a salt lake, tennis courts, a health club and horse riding.
Location and getting around
Gammarth is a leafy resort suburb with beaches, restaurants and a quiet, upscale feel. The airport is about twenty-five minutes away by car, and a 24-hour airport shuttle is available for a fee. The TGM train does not run to Gammarth itself, so for Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, the medina and the Bardo you will want taxis, a hired driver or a guided tour with hotel pickup.
That makes this a place for a stay of a few nights built around the resort, with sightseeing days arranged in advance. The hotel is a good base for day trips too, as many operators collect from hotels in the area.
Dining and rooms
The property has several restaurants, including Mediterranean cooking and a Chinese restaurant, with a poolside bar, a beach bar, a lounge and a coffee shop. A free buffet breakfast is served daily. Sea-view rooms and suites cost more but have the best outlook, and families will appreciate the space of the suites.
Children can stay free using existing beds up to a set age, though the pool, health club and spa have age restrictions for younger guests, so check the rules before you book. Guest reviews are consistently warm about the staff, with some noting that English is not always spoken fluently.
Who it suits and what to know: this is the choice for travellers who want a polished beach and spa stay with sightseeing as a side dish, especially couples, honeymooners and golfers. The outdoor pool and beach are seasonal, so confirm what is open for your dates, and some pool areas close for maintenance at certain times of year.
Parking is free, which helps if you hire a car for day trips to Dougga or El Djem. It is not the place for walking to cafes and monuments in the evening, so if you want the medina on your doorstep, consider Dar El Jeld instead. Rates are at the top of the Tunis range, with the best value outside peak summer.
Why stay here
- ✓Private beach with beach bar
- ✓Thalassotherapy spa
- ✓Indoor seawater pool
- ✓Seasonal outdoor pool
- ✓18-hole golf course
- ✓Free buffet breakfast
- ✓Free parking
- ✓Airport shuttle available
Good questions
Where is The Residence Tunis?+
It is on the coast at Gammarth in the La Marsa area north of Tunis, about twenty-five minutes from the airport by car.
Does the hotel have a beach and a spa?+
Yes. It has a private beach with a beach bar and watersports, and a thalassotherapy spa with an indoor seawater pool, hydrotherapy, a Turkish bath and a sauna.
Is breakfast included?+
A free buffet breakfast is served daily. Confirm the details of your rate when you book.
