We had a lovely stay at the Tamerza palace. The location has to be seen to be believed -- very isolated, near the Algerian border, located past Tozeur (the nearest "big" city, which has an airport) and the date oases of Chebika. The pluses of the hotel: 5-star service, with cool wet towels upon arrival, and impeccable service. The outdoor pool is gorgeous: it does look right over the ruins of the old city (which was just relocated down the road). Our room also overlooked the ruins. Dinner in the restaurant had spectacular views and lovely menus. Nice windows that opened, and AC. Poolside drink service. Minor minuses: the rooms are not luxurious. Clean, and comfortable, and perfectly ideal but more functional than luxurious. And there was a choice between plugging in the TV or the refrigerator, but not both. I did not visit the spa, so I can't comment. I agree with other posters' comments - where was everyone? There were only 2 other parties at the hotel when we were there. Also, we did not arrange our tours through the hotel. But, in a remote remote location, this would be a perfect home base. From here, we went on to Matmata, Douz, and ultimately to Djerba.

Tamerza Palace is really an amazing place in the midst of a desert oasis and date plantations. All of the rooms, including the traditional rooms (which were nice) look out onto the Atlas mountains and out onto the ruins of an abandoned village. It is a really spectacular place. Perfect if you need to get away from it all for a few days. There are no direct flights to Tozeur yet from the UK- but direct flights from Milan and Paris (Tozeur is 75kms from Tamerza and the hotel can arrange a transfer- for a fee of 120 dinars).

The staff are really helpful and professional. We spent 3 nights here but wished we had stayed a few more. It is possible to do some spectacular hikes through the mountains and to the edge of the desert (best avoided in the hotter months where it can reach 45-50 degrees celcius), or just laze about by the pool, or (if in season- October-November) eat as many amazingly melt-in-mouth dates you can manage.

A few things to watch out for, however: Their expedition prices in 4x4s are very expensive. If you have a car, you might want to ask a guide to come with you (ask for Bessi- he was great) instead of getting the 4x4 unless you are going to see the dunes. Also the SPA is one of the most amazing spas I've seen- great views out of the huge windows onto the abandoned village and the massages are also great. There is also a fitness centre. However, you cannot use the spa or the fitness centre unless you have booked yourself a massage. This is a problem if you just want a soak in the pool (and the winter months make it a very chilly and brave experience to use the outdoor pool) or feel like using their very modern fitness equipment. The reason for this is the SPA is not owned by the hotel. The dinners included in the price at the restaurant are fine. They are more touristy than local however. I would recommend eating in Tamerza village for lunch- there is at least one good local place which has a very good lunch menu for half the price of the one at the hotel.

Overall though- an amazing place for relaxation, some sun, and good hikes (the local guides in Tamerza can also set you up apparently for 2-3 day hikes and camping in the desert- but we have not tested this out... yet). Inshallah we will one day!

Sincerely, one of the best places I've ever been to: the location is just amazing, looking from your window you have the feeling you've traveled in space and time. The abandoned village across is so charming.
The rooms (contemporary ones) are designed with so much good taste, you never want to leave. The dining room is so refined and the spa really magic!
One of the best souvenir I have from Tunisia!

We loved it here. Our 9 day holiday turned into 14 thanks to the volcano but that was a pleasure. I can't speak for the rooms but we had a suite and it was gorgeous - very crisp and spacious in a modern style with an internal bathroom window with the view onto the Atlas mountains and fantastic private terrace where we often ate breakfast and once had dinner. The position is terrific and the buzzy city of Tozeur with its souk and medina is only an hour away in one of the hotel's jeeps.

The food is reliable and locally sourced there is no 'slop and salad' buffet which we hate but a la carte ordering in the dining room. Lunch is by the pool or on the terrace of the adjoining cafe and shop block. We did tell the hotel that we found it hard not to over eat and as a result were able to order off menu so that if we didn't fancy another Tunisian feast we were able to have 'just a salad' made to order.

For English speakers there are no communication difficulties as the hotel is very efficiently run by the owner's son and his wife who both speak perfect English and are on hand.

The spa pool is lovely if you have a colder or grey day and there are treatments available there too.

It was half empty though we gather from the owners that an occupancy rate of 50-60% is the norm in Tunisia.

The staff were all cheerful and accommodating and we shall be back!