Hotel Ayachi

The location works really well for me: it's behind the police station, with gated secure parking, near the edge of the Medina, and within walking distance of 6 cafes and 3 banks/ATMs. I’ll come back whenever I'm in Tunis. For 35 dinars ($12 USD) for a renovated room or 25 for a non renovated one, the value is amazing. The rooms that haven't been renovated are still clean and adequate, and the updated rooms are cozy. Service is friendly, too. The staff who clean the rooms are kind and honest, and sheets are changed daily. Some sheets may have a stain or hole, but they're bleached and smell clean. Once after checkout, a cleaning woman hurried back to return vitamins she'd found under my bed. Cash I'd left on the nightstand a few times was never touched. The shower's hot water isn't great. There’s no breakfast included, but the patisserie across the street has good pastries and croissants for 1 dinar.

Bed bugs in the rooms are a concern, and they could get into your belongings if you leave them there for a while. I planned to stay for 8 nights but moved out after the first. They returned all my money, but did so silently and without apologizing.

I arrived at 5 pm for a reservation I'd made through Booking.com, only to be told the hotel was full. They blamed me for not calling them. It was a bad experience.

The neighbourhood has a lovely feel, with friendly, helpful local residents and a safe, quiet, welcoming atmosphere. There are dozens of shops, restaurants, outdoor cafés and outdoor markets nearby. The place is very affordable, the beds are comfortable, and everything was spotlessly clean, with friendly staff and excellent housekeeping and maintenance. Loving it!