Amy Adejokun
Section editor
The Tamerza Palace constitutes by itself the aim of a trip in the Tunisian south, because of its setting, decoration and atmosphere. To discover over a week-end or a week or more: the region is sufficiently rich with natural sites not to get bored.
Tamerza Palace Spa - © EASYVOYAGE
Tamerza Palace Spa - © EASYVOYAGE
The Tamerza Palace is located in the mountains overlooking the Chott el Jerid, 40 miles from the city of Tozeur. Allow about 1 hour for the transfer to the airport of Tozeur.
There are 65 rooms, all oriented towards the village of Tamerza. No bad surprise for the view then, but there is not always a balcony. Only 24 rooms have one. As for the decoration, abstract or semi-figurative paintings nicely adorn the walls. The white rendering makes the accommodations bright and spacious (215 square feet for the standard rooms). Berber rugs on the ground for the local flavour; minimalist and refined wrought iron furniture. The bathrooms have a bathtub, a hairdryer, a liquid soap dispenser and bathrobes. Other equipment can be found in the rooms: air conditioning, direct telephone, satellite television, a minibar and a safe.
Constructed in 1992, the Tamerza Palace is built on the rock hill facing the rammed earth village of Tamerza. Its exterior architecture, earth coloured, blends easily in the natural environment. Inside, you discover a lobby organised as the hall of a private house. Below the lobby, lounges lit by a picture window. The latter overlooks the swimming pool and its terrace made of local stones. Everywhere in the hotel, typical and refined decoration objects are noticeable. A carved wood trunk in the halls leading to the bedrooms, a brass ewer on a marble edge next to the bar, wrought iron moucharabiehs decorating inside windows, curtains draping the doors of the rooms... So many details that classify this hotel in the category of charming facilities. Outside, the swimming pool is large enough to swim a few laps (about 82 feet long). A smaller pool for children is close by. Wrought iron deckchairs, mattresses (bath towels are provided), sunshades in natural fibers are set all around.
The dining room of the restaurant, with picture windows, overlooks the village of Tamerza. In the morning, breakfast is served buffet style. No dishes as far as the eye can see like in a grand hotel, but everything is there (except fresh orange juice) and everything is good: cooked meats, cheese, cakes, pastries, dates... Fried eggs and crepes are prepared on request. At lunch and in the evening, meals are offered in menu, à la carte or buffet style. Do not miss the opportunity to try the delicious Tunisian specialties, like the Djerbian tajine, the Kerkeienese squids , the chorba (soup) with lamb. Choice also of: international recipes like unilateral grilled fish and entrecôte maître d'hotel. Possibility on request to eat on the terrace next to the swimming pool.
An extension of the hotel opened in March 2007. It has additional rooms (suites), a fitness room, a hammam, a bar and a small supermarket (very useful because, as there are for now are no stores in the immediate surroundings).
From the hotel, the old village of Tamerza (abandoned after the heavy rains of 1969) is accessible on foot. You only need to go down the wadi then go back up on the hill on the other side. Hiking lovers will be able to continue their exploration until the oasis of Chebika (allow 1 hour and a half). In return, you must rent a car or ask for a taxi to visit the rest of the area (Midès canyon, Nefta oasis, among others).
tennis, mountain bike
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