Dar El Marsa Hotel & SPA

We first came for dinner after a friend from Tunis recommended the restaurant. The waiter and manager were friendly and attentive from the start. Our typical Tunisian starter was delicious, the fish and steak were good though could have been more tender, and dessert was excellent. Ahmed was a great waiter, friendly, quick, and knowledgeable. The restaurant also has an impressive sea view. The next day we needed a new hotel, so we decided to stay here. The receptionist was professional and welcoming, and our room was lovely. Breakfast the following morning was high quality too. I only wish we’d found the hotel earlier on our trip to Tunis. It was an excellent experience, very different from some of the negative reviews I’ve seen. I’d recommend staying here and trying the restaurant.

The location is excellent, the view is lovely, and I liked the stairs leading up to the carefully decorated terrace. The food is very good, and dining was nice on regular days and during Ramadan. The menu could offer more choices and a broader range of cuisines, given the prime spot. Some staff were really vulgar and had an attitude that didn’t feel suited to hospitality, so selection could be more careful. I also didn’t like the dim light behind the mirror, especially when people are waiting for the elevator in an Instagram era. Better lighting would help with mirror selfies.

I used to be a loyal client of Dar El Marsa, but the way my rooftop event was handled means I won’t return. I called to arrange a gathering for 30-40 people, including international guests, and was passed between people throughout a chaotic process. Communication was unclear, nobody took responsibility, and there seemed to be hesitation at every step. They also insisted on a food package costing at least 95 TND per person, without regard for guests’ preferences or the kind of event. The whole approach felt transactional and aggressively focused on profit, with little flexibility or customer care. For a hotel that presents itself as upscale, that lack of hospitality was shocking. Hosting international guests could have been a chance to show Tunisian hospitality, but instead it felt like poor service and short-sighted greed. Very disappointing. I won’t be back or recommend the place to anyone in my circles.

The atmosphere is beautiful, quiet, and romantic, and the location is handy, with good places to visit within walking distance. Their virgin piña colada is great. The rooftop food wasn’t very good, though, so I wouldn’t recommend it for lunch or dinner.