Residence Sultana

Very comfortable guesthouse with private beach on the shores of the Mediterranean

The Residence Sultana started life as the home of Annie and Mohamed M'charek, and has grown organically to become a very comfortable guesthouse located right on the shores of the Mediterranean. It's on the northern fringes of Zarzis - a pleasant but unremarkable colonial town - but once you step through the white-domed gateway, you enter a little haven of luxuriance and calm. Lush gardens are shaded with palms and fragrant with jasmine, bougainvillea and mimosa; behind the house, a pathway leads down to a private beach with its own pier.

The old family residence has been sympathetically restored and the newer buildings, where the accommodation is located, have been constructed in traditional Tunisian style of whitewashed walls and brilliant sky-blue woodwork. 14 rooms and apartments, spread around the gardens, face either the pool or the sea; and the restaurant facing the beach serves some of the best Tunisian cuisine and finest wines in the region. Inside the main house there’s a brightly-painted hammam, a sitting room with a huge collection of books, and a bar where Mohamed and Annie dispense cold drinks and warm hospitality.

Highs

• The personal touch and hospitality of the hosts
• The shady gardens leading down to the sea
• Cosy and tasteful rooms with terraces or balconies
• Heated swimming pool and hammam

Lows

• Zarzis is not the most attractive town in the region, though there’s a good market
• You’ll need a car to travel to the more interesting sites of the area
• The beach - though private - is rather small and can smell of algae
• Some guests may find their menu a bit limited: you may not always get a choice of dishes