The Residence Tunis ★★★★★

Arriving in my room, the first thing I noticed was the warm sea breeze coming in from the open veranda doors. Then, looking around the room, my eyes rested on some of the details. I loved the window- seat, with its earthy red and orange cushions, it made me want to curl up on it and dream. There was an element of desert palace in the décor, conveying the proximity of the sandy Sahara to this verdant strip by the sea. It was the little arches and Arabic designs over the windows, and the intricate patterns of the Oriental rug. But there was also a hint of French chic merged with the desert design too, in the elegant lamps and wrought iron bed. I put my things away and jumped in the shower. The bathroom was made of marble and glass, and there were orange blossom toiletries.

The Residence resort is large – large enough to be a fulfilling and varied place to stay, to have a golf-course, a few pools to choose from, a fabulous spa, and enough restaurants to keep you dining somewhere new each evening even if you stayed for a week. I took a long walk on their private beach, regretting that I hadn't worn my swimsuit underneath. My bare feet on the golden sand was the sensation of paradise to me. I wandered through the grounds, past the pools with their casually posing sun loungers, through gardens of palms, cacti, and bougainvillea. The grounds hugged the buildings beautifully. The domed roofs, arched doorways, spacious cloisters and geometric patterns gave me that extra cultural encounter that I had been seeking. The huge halls with Arabic art work, one with palm trees growing inside, and the expansive architecture of the hotel, made me feel I was really travelling, really seeing something new.

I loved the Mediterranean cuisine at L'Olivier, and sitting on the terrace at sunset watching the colours change was one of the best experiences I’ve had. Evenings in the Moroccan themed El Dar restaurant came with oud players and enchanting singers. The food was densely aromatic and flavoursome and baskets of spices were on display. Inside that world of rich reds and greens, Berber-style décor and sumptuous fabrics, I felt totally transported to an authentic Arabian night, and totally lost in time. This is what travel is for, I thought, this is all the excuse I need. And thanks to The Residence Tunis, I returned home with a spring in my step!