Staying at the Golden Tulip Hotel El Mechtel, Tunis

Rating: 75/100

Welcoming:8/10

Menu Choices: 8/10

Food Presentation: 8/10

Food Temperature: 8/10

Food Taste: 17/20

Service: 8/10

Ambiance/Music: 7/10

Architecture/Interior: 6/10

Air Quality: 5/10

Total: 75/100

More about: Golden Tulip El Mechtel

I knew I was in for a treat as two guards opened the gates that led my ride into the Golden Tulip El Mechtel – a delightful place situated on the perimeter of the Belvedere Park. The same guards rushed to help me with my bags in a super positive and welcoming manner. Ideal for business and leisure travelers, the hotel is in close proximity to the central business district and the Medina. It is only 7 kilometers away from Tunis Carthage International Airport.

Staying at the Golden Tulip Hotel El Mechtel, Tunis

As I reached the reception area, I gave a quick signature and was accompanied to my room on the 5th floor. A big suite was waiting for me with all the comforts required to hopefully make my week-end stay memorable.

I walk into the room and see a spacious welcoming area with a dining table, a big living room with two large sofas, a nice bathroom, and another big room with a sofa, a working desk and a king size bed. I slept like a baby on my first night. I arrived late and jumped into the soft bed covered with a thick duvet and four pillows.

I am now in my room, it’s my second night, I am watching TV, relaxing, walking barefoot on the fluffy burgundy carpet and writing this review…

Let me tell you what I see and what I have experienced so far… Firstly, thank you for the fruit basket, the Arabic sweets and the flowers that add a personal touch to my stay. I woke up to seven red roses in the living room and two pink roses in the bathroom – a fresh start indeed.

This four star hotel, although old, has been really been well maintained. The room has more features and amenities than many other five star hotels I have visited.

The Room is fully equipped:

A speedy Internet connection that is unfortunately not for free
Two satellite TVs – one in the living room and another in front of the bed with a complete list of the available international channels
A DVD player
In-room safe deposit box
Two air conditioning units, one for each area
Two direct-dial telephones
Mini bar with a complementary water bottle, coffee and tea
Ironing board

Interesting room amenities:

A large complementary water bottle
Two facial tissue boxes
Soap, shampoo, bath salts, shower gel, eau de toilette, body lotion, loofah, comb, dental kit, shaving kit, a scale with the adequate weight notes, slippers and a bathrobe. Two versions of everything are available to please each member of the couple staying at the room.
A hair dryer
Laundry bags
A paper shopping bag
A shoeshine box

Really! I never saw that many amenities in a four star hotel ever before. And more so, they have a bathroom note: “If you have forgotten any essential toiletry items, then please contact the housekeeping. We will be pleased to deliver with our compliments: shaving cream, disposable razor, toothbrush and toothpaste.” Basically there isn’t anything they don’t have in the room.

The minuses:

The air-condition systems are turned off during the winter. If you like your AC on during the winter, forget it. Open the windows
The public areas are HOT since the air conditioning system is off
It is unacceptable to pay for the internet service in 2012

I discovered the hotel today, walking around it’s premises, you will discover many interesting additional facilities:

A beauty salon
A business center
An outdoor swimming pool
A nightclub (Romeo)
Three restaurants (La FLore, Peppino, Afandi)
A cafe and a pub
A drinks and croissant area for the hungry early birds
The breakfast choices are good enough

I have a couple of more nights to stay. Look forward to more restaurant reviews from the hotel. I am happy with my choice at The Golden Tulip El Mechtel Hotel in Tunis. So far my stay is pleasant and welcoming.