Dar Aziz

Breakfast always came on time. It was very sugary, if that’s what you like, but otherwise had enough calories to keep us going until lunch. We left early each morning to explore nearby cities. In summer, there’s a cozy rooftop terrace with a direct view of the castle on the hill, and good cafes and restaurants are only a five minute walk away. Delivery is also an option. We stayed in early February, when Tunisia gets especially cold at night, but the room heating was more than enough and the shower never ran out of piping hot water. The room was spacious and elegantly designed, and the rest of the building showed great attention to detail. The WiFi worked well, and there was a TV we never used. It was quiet even in the heart of the Medina. Finding the place can be tricky, and the surrounding streets are quite dirty, though that’s not the owners’ fault. We had a lovely stay and highly recommend it.

We were really disappointed. Our motorbike bags were stolen while the bikes were parked right outside the house. They held tools and important trip gear, including spare tubes, chain spray, a jump starter, an electric pump, and toolkits. Luckily, the bikes themselves were locked and weren’t taken. Aziz, who showed us the room, spent two hours helping us look for parking, but we couldn’t find any. He said it was okay to leave the bikes outside. We also paid the neighbor, who said he’d look after them. He asked for 40 dinars, and we ended up paying 25. Aziz reassured us the bikes would be fine. The room had no warm water or toilet paper, though everything else was okay. If you ride, find somewhere with parking.

The rooftop terrace was the highlight for me, with stunning Medina views at sunset and after dark. The location works well for exploring the Medina and historic sites, and once you know the way, it’s about a five minute walk to the nearest road for taxis. The map pin is accurate. The owner, an older gentleman, clearly cares about guests. Breakfast was simple and fresh, with juice he squeezed himself and all the freshly baked bread you could eat. WiFi was strong enough for video calls in my room and on the roof. The room issues were substantial, even for a small family run B&B. There was a lot of mold in the shower, and years of calcium buildup on the shower head sent water all over, including out of the cramped stall. The water is shut off at night, which was a major inconvenience. The host said a small reserve would remain, but on my second night there was no hot or cold water until I messaged him, and it came back about an hour later. Shutting water off at 7 pm is a lot to deal with after a day in 40 degree heat. I wanted to love the place, but it needs to be judged as a family run B&B rather than a hotel. At the affordable price, with the lovely owners running it themselves, it was fine for a few nights. If it were a major hotel or even an overpriced Airbnb, I’d rate it two stars.

A lovely place and a real gem in the area. The staff were welcoming and very friendly, and it’s well worth a visit. Getting there can be a little tricky, so plan your route and allow time. I’d have liked a small fridge or some way to keep drinks cold. The AC also started leaking, a minor thing but worth mentioning.