Assessment: Tunis Marriott Resort | Prince of Journey

Throughout my current stint in Northern Africa, I had a brief two-night keep on the Tunis Marriott Resort 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 testing this new property in what would even be my first journey to Tunisia and the Maghreb area as a complete. 

Tunis Marriott Resort – Reserving

It’s comparatively low-cost to e book on factors right here on the Tunis Marriott Resort. You’ll be able to count on 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 e book this property for simply 12,500 Bonvoy factors per night time, even in the course of the summer time peak season. Then again, 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.

In the event you’re a Marriott loyalist, the opposite possibility on the town is the Sheraton Tunis. I picked the Marriott just because it was newer and appeared nicer from the photographs. 

Tunis Marriott Resort – Location

Positioned within the North City Centre neighbourhood of the Tunisian capital, the Tunis Marriott Resort 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 principle vacationer sights and sounds of Tunis, and also you’ll almost definitely must take a taxi to go wherever. The Bolt app is standard for ordering taxis in Tunisia, and we used it fairly regularly to get round. 

In relation to must-see locations, Avenue Habib Bourguiba, the financial coronary heart of Tunis, is a 10-minute journey by automobile. On this arterial avenue, you’ll discover all the pieces from stunning structure to worldwide retailers 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 automobile or taxi will carry you to the Medina in about 20 minutes.

The ruins of Carthage are discovered on the japanese outskirts of Tunis, a few 25-minute taxi journey from the Tunis Marriott Resort – 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 the town’s details of curiosity aren’t a hop and a skip away, I’d say that the lodge continues to be a ample house base for exploring the town, as most key sights will be reached in beneath half-hour with a taxi journey.

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

Tunis Marriott Resort – Verify-in

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

The elegant appearances continues upon getting into the foyer. The modern picket check-in desks contrasted with the marble flooring for a sophisticated look, whereas a extra modern look emanated from the sunshine fixtures and the flooring.

There’s a safety checkpoint earlier than getting 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 notice of the professionalism of the lodge employees, who have 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 Resort 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 is perhaps obtainable.

The employees agreed to test, 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 might’ve in any other case been occupied. 

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

As a freshly constructed lodge, the Government Lounge hasn’t truly opened but. It sometimes 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 Government Lounge, two each day meal vouchers of 60 Tunisian dinars per visitor per day have been supplied as properly. 

The vouchers have been redeemable on the foyer restaurant, which was a pleasant little bonus. Moreover, the minibar within the room was totally 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 house, 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 retailers within the centre, supreme for these seeking to do some work. This small foyer bar and restaurant is the place you possibly can redeem the each day meal vouchers.

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

Tunis Marriott Resort – Junior Suite

The Junior Suite stored with the fashionable look of the lodge’s inside and the sandy beige tones of its facade. Nonetheless, it was fairly small in comparison with what I would’ve anticipated with a collection.

Coming into the room, there’s a king mattress within the centre flanked by two aspect tables. Above the aspect desk, charging retailers and USB ports have 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 occasional desk. On the espresso desk, the employees had left two considerate handwritten notes, one in every 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 gentle drinks, water, and, in fact, the smoothie.

The lodge’s lavatory seems to be completely wonderful at first look, with its marble partitions and flooring, a soaker tub, and a rain bathe. Nonetheless, 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 sometimes accustomed to lodge rooms which have both a full lavatory or “one and a half” loos, 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 amenities and one with a sink and bathroom – on two reverse ends of the suite. 

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

Tunis Marriott Resort – Breakfast

Breakfast was served within the lodge’s major restaurant, L’Urbain, versus the Government Lounge, which continues to be in its ending phases.

As soon as full, breakfast can 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 number of some conventional gadgets was additionally obtainable, together with Tunisian masfouf. Moreover, there have been additionally a collection 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 associates who have 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 an alternative, the place we loved some pastries, fruits, and eggs (together with shakshouka) off the à la carte menu.

Whereas these weren’t essentially probably the most elaborate breakfasts I’ve loved at a Marriott chain lodge, they have been definitely 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 definitely undergone very strict coaching in how they carried out their roles. 

From the best way the front-of-house employees addressed company – I used to be persistently greeted as “Mr. Zhang” at any time when 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 satisfaction of their jobs working at one of many metropolis’s latest and finest motels.

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

Tunis Marriott Resort – Different Amenities

As you enter the principle foyer, you’ll move by a small store with numerous 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 revolutionary drinks.

I went up for snacks and drinks on just a few events and loved myself. The out of doors house presents broad 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 house that it might be an gratifying 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 ambiance. The pool definitely provides to the night atmosphere whereas having a drink.

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

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

Conclusion

The Tunis Marriott Resort is an aesthetic 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 seeking to return to the Marriott Tunis to remain once more and take a look at the Government Lounge when it’s open.