If you're planning to visit Hammamet, I highly recommend staying at the Dar Hayet Hotel. It’s not as huge as the resorts in Hammamet Sud, but the hotel is ideally located near Centre Ville and the medina, which is about a five to ten minute walk. The décor is elegant and simplistic in style, like living in someone’s house. The staff is incredibly attentive and helpful, and the hotel itself is impeccably clean. I stayed on the second floor of the rear building, where my room had two single beds, a television, a sliding window (with a view of Hammamet Sud) and lots of closet space. An environmental feature of the hotel I thought was genius was the conservation of electricity: plugging your key into a port near the door would allow you to turn on the lights in your room.

Dar Hayet has several on-site amenities available for guests. The pristine pool is located in the rear of the hotel just before descending onto the private beach (where a guard watches your stuff while you go swimming). Both the pool and beach are equipped with beach chairs and parasols, and food service is available in both areas. Near the pool is a spa, and although I did not get a chance to try it out, I was told that the cost for a one hour massage (including use of the hammam) is 20 Dinars and henna painting costs 10 Dinars. The restaurant, Gelimer, is right on the beach and has great views of both the medina (to the left) and Hammamet Sud (to the right). The menu includes pasta dishes and salads, as well as several fish and meat entrees. From the sample plates I’ve had, I’d say overall the food is excellent. Dining at night has more of a romantic ambience when the restaurant is lit by candlelight, and you could hear the waves roll onto shore.

Dar Hayet offers its guests a few, appealing excursions such as a three-day Sahara tour, attendance to a typical Tunisian Berber party, and a trip to Nabeul, where most of the Tunisian pottery is made. I opted for a one-day tour of Tunis, Carthage and Sidi Bou Saïd, which was priced at 55 Dinars (plus tip) and included transportation to and from your hotel, as well as lunch.

I used my timeshare to reserve the hotel, but the Lonely Planet Guide Book for Tunisia suggests rooms are 150 – 225 Dinars a night, depending on the season.

Dar Hayet is well-deserved of its five-star status and I admit this is definitely one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed in on vacation. Absolutely fabulous! ----