Dar Said Hotel

Perched on the side of a hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in the picture-perfect blue and white village of Sidi Bou Said, the Dar Said Hotel is a beautiful 19th-century residence located within striking distance of the attractions of Carthage and Tunis. Access to the property through an enormous horseshoe-shaped traditional Moorish arch brings you to a hidden, peaceful world rich in Tunisian architectural motifs. The Dar Said Hotel boasts four traditional courtyards planted with jasmine and bougainvillaeas and is resplendent with water fountains.

Accommodation is in 24 individually decorated, although somewhat dated, ensuite rooms. Antique chandeliers and furniture, elaborate stucco work, sumptuous curtains, geometric Tunisian wall tiles, and bathrooms designed as small Turkish baths are some of the decorative elements that give the hotel a unique sense of place. The exotic gardens, which overlook the Mediterranean, are a great feature of the property and include century-old cypresses, palm trees, and bougainvillaeas.

In addition to Dar Said’s private hammam, the hotel has a small swimming pool. Breakfast and lunch are made with ingredients from the local market and can be taken anywhere: in your room, by the pool, or in the garden. Dinner is served across the road at the elegant Dar Zarrouk restaurant, which overlooks the marina and Gulf of Tunis.