Throughout my latest stint in Northern Africa, I had a brief two-night keep on the Tunis Marriott Lodge in Tunisia’s capital metropolis.

This lodge is a brand-new addition to the Marriott portfolio, having opened only recently in April 2022, and I used to be wanting ahead to trying out this new property in what would even be my first journey to Tunisia and the Maghreb area as a complete. 

Tunis Marriott Lodge – Reserving

It’s comparatively low cost to ebook on factors right here on the Tunis Marriott Lodge. You’ll be able to anticipate to pay between 12,000–14,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors for a one-night keep.

In my case, I used to be in a position to ebook this property for simply 12,500 Bonvoy factors per night time, even in the course of the summer time peak season. Alternatively, money charges throughout my keep hovered round 550 Tunisian dinars ($225 CAD) per night time.

Thus, I used to be undoubtedly fairly happy with this award redemption, because it was a wonderful worth for my Bonvoy factors in opposition to the continued money charges.

We presently worth Marriott Bonvoy factors at 0.9 cents per level, and I used to be getting round 1.8cpp – twice our goal worth – right here on the Marriott Tunis.

Should you’re a Marriott loyalist, the opposite choice on the town is the Sheraton Tunis. I picked the Marriott just because it was newer and regarded nicer from the images. 

Tunis Marriott Lodge – Location

Positioned within the North City Centre neighbourhood of the Tunisian capital, the Tunis Marriott Lodge is located in a comparatively new a part of city that’s geared in the direction of enterprise and commerce.

It’s fairly a distance from the primary vacationer sights and sounds of Tunis, and also you’ll most certainly need to take a taxi to go anyplace. The Bolt app is fashionable for ordering taxis in Tunisia, and we used it fairly continuously to get round. 

In the case of must-see locations, Avenue Habib Bourguiba, the financial coronary heart of Tunis, is a 10-minute journey by car. On this arterial avenue, you’ll discover every part from stunning structure to worldwide outlets and eating places.

Habib Bourguiba additionally results in the Tunis Medina, the place you’ll discover 700+ historic monuments relationship again to the Center Ages. Travelling from the lodge by automotive or taxi will convey you to the Medina in about 20 minutes.

The ruins of Carthage are discovered on the japanese outskirts of Tunis, a couple of 25-minute taxi journey from the Tunis Marriott Lodge – half-hour or extra with visitors.

This picturesque seaside city of Sidi Bou Stated can be subsequent to Carthage, away from the hustle and bustle of the capital.

Though town’s details of curiosity aren’t a hop and a skip away, I’d say that the lodge remains to be a adequate dwelling base for exploring town, as most key sights may be reached in below half-hour with a taxi journey.

On the very least, the lodge is shut by to the nation’s primary airport: Tunis-Carthage Worldwide Airport (TUN) is just eight minutes away by taxi or shuttle.

Tunis Marriott Lodge – Test-in

The outside of the brand new Marriott property boasts an ultra-modern look, utilizing varied layers and line actions all through the sand-coloured façade.

The elegant appearances continues upon coming into the foyer. The smooth wood check-in desks contrasted with the marble flooring for a complicated look, whereas a extra up to date look emanated from the sunshine fixtures and the flooring.

There’s a safety checkpoint earlier than coming into the lodge. Then, as you enter, you’ll discover the check-in and concierge desks on the right- and left-hand sides.

I shortly took word of the professionalism of the lodge employees, who had been noticeably well-trained of their etiquette. This set a precedent for what I later found to be a degree of hospitality right here on the Tunis Marriott Lodge properly above what you’ll discover all through remainder of the nation.

Initially, I wasn’t supplied an improve to the base-level room in any respect; nevertheless, upon arrival, I made a decision to do some “suite-talking” and requested if a Junior Suite could be obtainable.

The employees agreed to examine, and to my delight, they finally discovered me one. For what it’s price, the lodge didn’t appear very full to me throughout my keep, so I wasn’t positive how the suites may’ve in any other case been occupied. 

I used to be then walked by my advantages as a Marriott Titanium Elite member. 

As a freshly constructed lodge, the Govt Lounge hasn’t truly opened but. It usually resides on the ninth ground, however sadly, it wasn’t prepared on the time of my keep.

Platinum Elite members and above are entitled to complimentary breakfast, and, on account of the unavailable Govt Lounge, two each day meal vouchers of 60 Tunisian dinars per visitor per day had been supplied as properly. 

The vouchers had been redeemable on the foyer restaurant, which was a pleasant little bonus. Moreover, the minibar within the room was fully complimentary in the course of the lodge’s post-opening interval, which was one other small however welcome perk. 

The lodge foyer is kind of a flexible area, with a bar, a restaurant, and dealing areas. There’s a mixture of snug plush couches, in addition to ample lounge and eating chairs dotted round.

Close to the bar is an eight-person desk with shops within the centre, splendid for these trying to do some work. This small foyer bar and restaurant is the place you may redeem the each day meal vouchers.

After a easy and fast check-in, I headed as much as the third ground to Room 312.

Tunis Marriott Lodge – Junior Suite

The Junior Suite saved with the trendy look of the lodge’s inside and the sandy beige tones of its facade. Nevertheless, it was fairly small in comparison with what I would’ve anticipated with a set.

Coming into the room, there’s a king mattress within the centre flanked by two aspect tables. Above the aspect desk, charging shops and USB ports had been positioned on the wall.

Two massive, fashionable lights hung over the bedside tables. A flat-screen TV is mounted on the other wall, with a shelf and a small ottoman beneath it.

To the left of the mattress, the wall concaves to create a nook with some pillows.

By the home windows are a chaise longue, armchair, and low desk. On the espresso desk, the employees had left two considerate handwritten notes, certainly one of which let me know a welcome smoothie was ready on the minibar.

The minibar is positioned on the entrance, with a Lavazza Blue espresso machine for espresso and tea and a few snacks. Furthermore, the fridge was stocked with just a few tender drinks, water, and, in fact, the smoothie.

The lodge’s lavatory seems completely positive at first look, with its marble partitions and flooring, a soaker tub, and a rain bathe. Nevertheless, upon nearer inspection, one thing was lacking.

The bathe, tub, and sink are all positioned inside the main lavatory, whereas the bathroom itself resides within the half lavatory close to the doorway!

I’m usually accustomed to lodge rooms which have both a full lavatory or “one and a half” bogs, together with a half-bathroom or powder room close to the doorway.

On this case, it wasn’t fairly one and a half, however fairly two half-bathrooms – one with a sink and bathing services and one with a sink and bathroom – on two reverse ends of the suite. 

Total, it felt a bit beneficiant to name this a Junior Suite. I’d’ve cherished to have extra space and a extra easy lavatory setup, particularly at a Marriott-branded lodge that’s meant to be a flagship property inside the metropolis and the nation. 

Tunis Marriott Lodge – Breakfast

Breakfast was served within the lodge’s primary restaurant, L’Urbain, versus the Govt Lounge, which remains to be in its ending phases.

As soon as full, breakfast will likely be supplied within the lounge as properly, which is the place elite members will presumably be welcomed.

The unfold was a reasonably plain affair for a Marriott-branded lodge. Meals was supplied buffet-style with a mixture of scorching gadgets obtainable, equivalent to pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, and bacon.

A collection of some conventional gadgets was additionally obtainable, together with Tunisian masfouf. Moreover, there have been additionally a sequence of dried fruits, granola, and cereals, in addition to the standard fruit, pastries, bread, and chilly charcuterie.

On the primary morning, I loved a leisurely breakfast with some buddies who had been additionally staying on the lodge.

On the second morning, nevertheless, we had overslept past the breakfast hour, so we redeemed our meals vouchers on the foyer lounge as a substitute, the place we loved some pastries, fruits, and eggs (together with shakshouka) off the à la carte menu.

Whereas these weren’t essentially essentially the most elaborate breakfasts I’ve loved at a Marriott chain lodge, they had been actually sufficient to satiate us till lunchtime on each days.

To remark briefly on the service on the lodge, I wouldn’t say that service was precisely polished, however the employees had actually undergone very strict coaching in how they carried out their roles. 

From the best way the front-of-house employees addressed friends – I used to be persistently greeted as “Mr. Zhang” each time I walked previous the foyer – to the best way that the ready employees meticulously positioned down cutlery and organized tables, the lodge employees evidently took delight of their jobs working at one of many metropolis’s latest and finest inns.

On the entire, I used to be very impressed with the extent of service, particularly when contemplating that the lodge remains to be within the studying phases. As we’d later uncover when travelling across the nation, it was a transparent lower above the standard degree of service you’d anticipate right here in North Africa.

Tunis Marriott Lodge – Different Services

As you enter the primary foyer, you’ll cross by a small store with varied clothes gadgets and jewelry obtainable for buy.

There are two different eating choices inside the lodge. L’Urbain, the place breakfast is served, is open each day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and presents an à la carte menu of worldwide delicacies.

L’Onzième Grill & Bar is located on the eleventh ground. Right here, the restaurant presents grill-style picks all through the day.

Within the night, tapas and shared plates are served on the rooftop terrace, alongside cocktails and different progressive drinks.

I went up for snacks and drinks on just a few events and loved myself. The outside area presents huge views of the bustling metropolis beneath.

You’ll additionally discover the lodge’s swimming pool on the terrace.

The pool isn’t too massive, however has sufficient area that it could be an pleasant spot to take a dip and chill out. There are just a few lounge chairs and eating chairs dotted round.

Within the night, the pool space fills up with locals coming in to dine on the L’Onzième Bar and benefit from the environment. The pool actually provides to the night atmosphere whereas having a drink.

Lastly, the health centre is positioned on the tenth ground. The gymnasium is modest in measurement, and the gear isn’t overly intensive.

There are treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, a cable machine, and a few free weights.

Conclusion

The Tunis Marriott Lodge is a cultured new addition to the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio.

Though the Junior Suite was smaller than anticipated, the pleasant employees and excellent degree of service are the crown jewels of this property.

With simple airport entry and most factors of curiosity positioned inside a 30-minute taxi journey, the Marriott is a superb spot for first-time vacationers in Tunis. Moreover, for simply 12,500 Bonvoy factors per night time, it may be a high-value use of your factors, too. 

I’m unsure if I’ll return to Tunis within the close to future, however on the off-chance that I do, I’ll be trying to return to the Marriott Tunis to remain once more and take a look at the Govt Lounge when it’s open.