New luxury in the Sahara

By Helen Hayes

New luxury in the Sahara

A luxury stay in the Sahara Desert in Tunisia’s southwest delivers an exotic stay to appease the inner adventurer. Anantara Tozeur Resort has just opened in the sandy domain, and is Anantara’s first property in North Africa.

The property has 93 luxurious rooms with the pick being the Royal Villas, boasting more than 800 square metres of indoor living space with an open-plan lounge, sunken dining room and private majlis. The outdoor area features stunning views of the Chott el Djerid salt flats – the largest in the Sahara – which can be enjoyed from the dining area or the infinity pool.

Anantara, Tunisia, luxury resort in the Sahara
Dining by design at the Anantara Tozeur Resort

Guests can immerse in the Sahara visiting the Tozeur Medina and all its sights and sounds, taking a ride in a horse and carriage to taste Deglet Nour dates in a lush palm grove, and visiting the Berber villages abandoned in 1967 after flooding. The village at Mides Canyon is quite striking while at the mountain oasis of Tamerza, guests can have a swim in the crystal clear rock pool. Another option sure to please avid Star Wars fans is to do the guided quad bike tour to the Chott el Djerid, where many scenes from the original movie and subsequent sequels and prequels were shot.

 

The dining experience at Anantara Tozeur is impressive, with five bars and restaurants including Whiskeypedia with a global whiskey menu, and the Arabian Cultural Village. This experience is magical, set out in traditional souk style with open air tent housing, authentic entertainment, and the taste sensations of Arabian Nights Restaurant. Delight in local flavours such as brik à l’oeuf, camel steaks, Golla and other national delicacies prepared in the traditional way on an open fire.

The resort also offers the Asian inspired Mekong and Sarab, where guests can experience a fusion of Mediterranean, Arab and Tunisian cuisines. Dining by Design is another wonderful option, with a choice of a candlelit dinner for two in the desert in a movie set from Antonio Banderas’ Black Gold, or in a private residence in Tozeur. A Spice Spoons cooking class is also available, starting off with a visit to the local market with one of Anantara’s chefs to pick up a swag of spices and other ingredients before cooking up a storm back at the hotel.

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