Hotel Dar Said

An exquisite 19th-century mansion, draped in flowers and sea views, in the bewitching village of Sidi Bou Saïd

Your first sight of Dar Said is a flood of searing-pink bougainvillea flowing over high whitewashed walls. Hidden behind the walls is a rambling two-storey mansion, set around four courtyards, built for a wealthy family in 1863. It overlooks the sea and is at the top of an enchantingly pretty, chic, clifftop village, half-an-hour from Tunis.

The main doorway is tucked around the side. As you enter, you glimpse sun-dappled tiled courtyards, climbing jasmine and the terrace overlooking the bay. Fronting the house are small gardens, filled with vibrant flowers and bursting with colour. In the second courtyard is the pool, small and glimmering blue. It’s surrounded by wooden sunbeds, a bar and sun-shaded tables where you can tuck into breakfast, drinks and light snacks. Decorative tiling completes the pretty courtyard, from where there are views over the intense blue of the Gulf. Rooms are elegant, in pale colours, with traditional furniture. Pay more for more space and marvellous panoramas.

Highs

• Wonderful traditional house in a beautiful hilltop setting
• The enchanting seaside village of Sidi Bou Saïd is on your doorstep, and Tunis centre only 30 mins away
• Helpful, welcoming staff
• Flower-laden, luxuriant gardens
• A relaxed, charming, atmosphere, tucked away and private-feeling.
• Some excellent local restaurants

Lows

• Pool is small and could feel crowded when hotel is full
• The ‘charme’ rooms have only courtyard views
• Food menu is limited (though they will bring food from the same-management restaurant over the road)