Tunis : The spirit of the place by Syhem Belkhodja

My work brings me into contact with a lot of people, and I like to introduce them to the refined places of Tunis. In the medina, for example, Dar El Jeld is my favourite restaurant; a truly magical, very select place, housed in a nineteenth-century residence with a Moorish patio decorated with stucco, arcades and earthenware. The young owner learned his trade as a sommelier in the palaces of the Côte d'Azur and has retained a great sense of detail and service. As a result, businessmen and diplomats have made it their canteen.

For a more contemporary atmosphere, I recommend leaving the medina in the direction of Carthage and stopping off at the Villa Didon. This hyper-design hotel, perched on the heights, offers a sublime view. Although it only has 10 suites, you can easily stay there and go to work in the centre of Tunis. It is a very popular place for business travellers looking for an exceptional setting. The view of the sea is featured everywhere, even from the bathtub, installed in the centre of the suites, in front of huge picture windows.

If you're looking for a larger business hotel, the Residence is the place to go. It really is "the" 5-star hotel in Tunis, and yet it is a place of great serenity. But that doesn't mean you can't work in the best conditions, even if the swimming pool and marine thermal baths are a cheeky invitation to relax. It's also the perfect place to hold meetings.
For a business lunch with a view, you can also go as far as Sidi Bou Saïd, where I recommend the terrace of the Dar Zarrouk restaurant. Many groups book the premises for seminars or corporate events, as you can work in a beautiful setting. In any case, even during a short stay in Tunis, you have to go out of your way to get to the Bardo museum. This is the finest museum of ancient mosaics in the world. It is currently undergoing a number of renovations that will make it truly dazzling.

Syhem Belkhodja's good addresses

Dar El Jeld
Rue Dar El Jeld - Tel: +216 71 560 916 - Email: dar.eljeld@gnet.tn - Internet: www.dareljeld.tourism.tn

The Residence Tunis
La Marsa, Les Côtes de Carthage - Tel: +216 71 910 101 - Email: info-tunis@theresidence.com - Internet: www.residencetunis.com/fr or www.lhw.com

Villa Didon
Carthage Byrsa - Tel: +216 71 73 34 33 - Fax: +216 71 73 34 88 - Email: commercial@villadidoncarthage.com - Internet: www.villadidoncarthage.com

Dar Zarrouk
Rue Larbi Zarrouk, Sidi Bou Saïd - Tel: +216 71 740 591 - Fax: +216 71 980 260 - Email: darzarrouk@gnet.tn - Internet: www.darsaid.com.tn

Bardo National Museum
Tel: +216 71 513 650 - Fax: +216 71 513 842 - Internet: www.informatique-tunisie.com/museebardo