Chosen by Sabaro
The Residence Douz
50-villa resort in a palm grove at the gateway to the Sahara · Douz and the Sahara
The Residence Douz is a 50-villa resort opened in October 2023 in Douz, at the gateway to the Sahara, on a 14-hectare estate. Villas from 133 to 429 m², a Clarins spa, a kids' club with an observatory and a permaculture farm; Gabès-Matmata airport is 1 h 30 away and Tozeur 2 hours. Expect about €335 a night for two, without breakfast, in March.
DesertSpa and wellnessFamilyCharacter hotelsFood and dining
from 336 € per night
Cheapest room, 2 adults, room only, free cancellation, 2-night stay from 9 March 2027. Tourist tax extra, payable at the hotel: TND 12 per person per night in 4- and 5-star hotels (TND 8 in 3-star), for up to ten nights. Indicative price, taxes included, to be confirmed with your request.
Public price collected on: site officiel (offre affichée par Google Hôtels) — accessed 20 October 2026
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The Residence Douz is the place to choose for a luxury stay in the Tunisian Sahara: fifty villas in a palm grove in Douz, the "gateway to the Sahara", on the northern edge of the Grand Erg Oriental, the sea of dunes that stretches towards Algeria and Libya. Opened in October 2023 on a 14-hectare estate, it belongs to The Residence brand of the Singapore-based Cenizaro Hotels & Resorts, which also runs The Residence Tunis in Gammarth.
Who it suits
The hotel suits honeymooners, families and travellers who want the desert and its starry sky without sleeping in a tent. With only fifty villas, the estate stays very quiet. See also desert and honeymoon.
Three villas, three ways to live the desert
Every unit is a villa, with individual air conditioning, a separate bathtub and rain shower, twin basins and a terrace larger than many hotel rooms.
The one-bedroom Sahara Deluxe Villa is the couple's villa. Sabaro recommends the Sahara Prestige Villa: it adds a large living room and, above all, a rooftop terrace looking over the dunes and the night sky; an extra bed fits a child. For a family or friends, four to six of you, the two Presidential Pool Villas have two bedrooms, a private pool and a rooftop terrace facing the desert.
You can ride to your villa on a camel from reception: an arrival that sets the tone.
The Spa by Clarins
The spa is run by the French brand Clarins: eight treatment rooms, two scrub rooms, a hammam (extra charge), an indoor pool and a gym. It opens from 1 pm to 7 pm, local time. The estate also has an outdoor pool beneath a colonnade. See also spa and wellness.
Dining
- The Dining Room, Mediterranean cooking, 6 am to 11 pm;
- Talis, Tunisian and Berber cooking, evenings from 7 pm to 11 pm;
- the Lobby Bar, 8 am to 1 am.
Times are local. Private dining can be arranged on request.
Children, farm and crafts
The Gazelle Kids Club takes children aged 3 to 12, with an observatory for stargazing, a kitchen and its own outdoor pool. Two places give the stay a local dimension:
- Earth Basket, the estate's farm, run on permaculture lines (a farming method that mimics natural ecosystems);
- Mud House, the cultural centre, with cooking and craft workshops.
Excursions and what foreign ministries say
The hotel offers camel rides, quad biking, buggies, desert camps, visits to Berber villages and trips to Jbil National Park. Desert outings south of Douz, towards Tembaine, Jbil park or Ksar Ghilane, fall within the area that several European foreign ministries advise against: everything south of the line Algerian border – Tozeur – Douz – Ksar Ghilane – Tataouine – Zarzis. Sabaro does not offer them.
The town of Douz itself can be visited according to some ministries, with heightened vigilance like other tourist areas. Foreign ministries do not all give the same advice; yours:
| Country | Official advice | Source |
|---|---|---|
| France | The country is under heightened vigilance and a state of emergency in force since 24 November 2015. Keep away from demonstrations and from places where security forces are posted, avoid night travel off the main roads, and fly or use the motorway to reach the south-west. A passport has been compulsory since 1 January 2025. Advised against (red): the far-south Saharan area near Libya and Algeria (military zone created in August 2013, entry by prior permit), the town of Ben Guerdane, and Mounts Orbata, Selloum, Semmama, Chaambi and Mghila. Advised against unless essential (orange): the desert south and east of the Bir Rjim Maatoug – Borj Bourguiba – Ben Guerdane line; the areas between Mounts Chaambi, Semmama and Mghila, south of Mount Selloum and around Mount Orbata; in Jendouba and Le Kef governorates, a 5 km strip along the Algerian border except roads to official crossings. Check with the authorities before visiting rural areas between Kasserine, Sbeitla, Sidi Bouzid and Gafsa off the Gafsa-Kasserine and Gafsa-Sidi Bouzid roads. Table de Jugurtha (Le Kef): on organised tours with a guide. Its map, dated 4 February 2026, also shows an orange strip along the whole Algerian border. | Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères (France Diplomatie), Conseils aux voyageurs, Sécurité (Site last updated 15 September 2026) |
| Belgium | With due vigilance, travellers may visit Tunisia except the border areas with Algeria and Libya. Outside the coastal zone, use certified tour operators and agencies in close contact with the Tunisian security services. Heat (over 40 °C) and forest fires in summer. Strongly advised against: the Algerian border area west of the Jendouba – Le Kef – Kasserine – Feriana – Tameghza (Tamerza) axis, and the mountain areas of Kasserine and Le Kef governorates; the Libyan border area south of the Rjim Maatoug – Bir Ellouza – Bir Aouine – Borj Bourguiba – Remada – Ben Guerdane axis (military zone). Travel in the far south requires a permit from Tataouine governorate. | SPF Affaires étrangères, Commerce extérieur et Coopération au Développement (Belgique), Conseils aux voyageurs (Site last updated 2 October 2026) |
| Switzerland | Travel to Tunisia is considered generally safe. The political, social and economic situation is tense (demonstrations, strikes, possible curfews); the 2015 state of emergency remains in force and the risk of terrorist attacks persists nationwide. Reach your destination before nightfall. Advised against: the Algerian border area west of the Tabarka – Tozeur road, including the whole of Kasserine governorate (kidnapping risk in the Chaambi, Selloum and Mghila mountains); the Libyan border region. Tourist and non-urgent travel advised against south of the line Algerian border – Tozeur – Douz – Tataouine – Zarzis. The towns of Tabarka, Tozeur, Douz, Tataouine and Zarzis may be visited with the stated precautions; desert trips only in a group with a reliable local guide. | Département fédéral des affaires étrangères (DFAE, Suisse), Conseils pour les voyages (Site last updated 3 November 2025) |
| United Kingdom | Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Tunisia; higher risk around religious and tourist sites, festivals, government buildings and places where foreigners gather. State of emergency since 2015, frequent checkpoints. Demonstrations mostly at weekends and on national dates (14 January, 17 December). Possible power cuts in summer. Against all travel: Chaambi Mountains National Park; military operations zones of Mounts Salloum, Sammamma and Mghila; the militarised zone south of El Borma and Dhehiba; within 20 km of the Libyan border north of Dhehiba; Ben Guerdane and its surroundings. Against all but essential travel: north and west of Ghardimaou (Jendouba governorate), including El Feidja National Park; within 20 km of the Algerian border in El Kef and Jendouba governorates south of Jendouba town, including Chemtou; the whole of Kasserine governorate, including Sbeitla; within 10 km of the rest of the Algerian border south of Kasserine governorate; within 10 km of Mount Mghila; Mount Orbata; within 75 km of the Libyan border, including Remada and El Borma, excluding Zarzis, the C118 road and Medenine governorate north of it. Travelling against FCDO advice can invalidate travel insurance. | Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO, ministère britannique des affaires étrangères), Foreign travel advice (Site last updated 24 July 2026) |
| Germany | The security situation has broadly stabilised, but the terrorist risk remains high, including at busy tourist spots; stronger police presence in summer. State of emergency nationwide. Decree-Law 54 provides up to ten years in prison for spreading 'false information' online. Desert trips only in organised groups with a guide. Travel advised against: south and south-east of the line Algerian border – Tozeur/Nefta – Douz – Ksar Ghilane – Tataouine – Zarzis; the immediate Algerian border area, especially the mountains from Ain Draham to Kasserine governorate inclusive; Mounts Chaambi, Selloum and Mghila; individual, unorganised desert tours. Ben Guerdane and surroundings: particularly tense. A strip of about 20 km along the Libyan border and part of the southern Algerian border are military zones closed without a governorate permit. | Auswärtiges Amt (ministère fédéral des affaires étrangères, Allemagne), Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Site last updated 6 October 2026) |
| Luxembourg | Luxembourg's foreign ministry publishes no Tunisia-specific advice: it refers travellers to the travel advice of Belgium, France and Germany. | Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes, de la Défense, de la Coopération et du Commerce extérieur (Luxembourg), Avis de voyage (accessed 20 October 2026) |
| Ireland | High degree of caution and strong security awareness; state of emergency since 24 November 2015. Avoid unnecessary travel, especially at night outside urban areas, and demonstrations (frequent on Friday afternoons in city centres). Do not travel: Chaambi Mountain National Park; within 30 km of the borders with Algeria and Libya; Ben Guerdane and surroundings; the militarised zone of Tataouine governorate south of (but not including) El Borma. National Guard permission needed for some desert areas near the Algerian border. | Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA, ministère irlandais des affaires étrangères), Travel advice (Site last updated 16 July 2025) |
| Sweden | Since 30 March 2023, following an improved security situation, the Swedish ministry only advises against specific border and mountain areas. Against all travel: within 30 km of the Libyan border and Ben Guerdane; the militarised Chaambi, Samamma, Mghila, Selloum and Orbata mountains; the area south of El Borma and Dhehiba. Against non-essential travel: within 30 km of the Algerian border south of Jendouba town, except the Table de Jugurtha plateau; within 5 km of the Algerian border from Gafsa region southwards, except the town of Tamaghza (Tamerza). | Utrikesdepartementet (UD, ministère suédois des affaires étrangères), UD avråder (Site last updated 30 March 2023) |
| Denmark | The whole country except the orange and red zones: stay alert and follow the authorities, media and your travel agency. High terrorist risk; state of emergency, checks at tourist sites, photo ID compulsory. Do not go alone into the mountains or desert: use recognised agencies and guides. Red (very high risk): Mounts Chaambi, Salloum, Sammamma, Mghila and Orbata; the area south of a line passing south of El Borma and Remada and north of Ben Guerdane. Orange (non-essential travel advised against): the Algerian border area from south of Jendouba and Ghardimaou (P6 road) to El Borma, except Jendouba, Le Kef and Dahmani towns (yellow); Kasserine governorate except Kasserine town (yellow); the area south of a line from El Borma to south of Zarzis, including Remada but not Tataouine (yellow). | Udenrigsministeriet (ministère danois des affaires étrangères), Rejsevejledninger (Site last updated 18 May 2026) |
| Poland | State of emergency in force; photographing military and government sites or security forces is forbidden (arrest of at least 5 days possible). After the summer 2026 heatwave, electricity, running water and fuel supplies are back to normal and bottled water is gradually returning to shops. Level 3: region 1, the Sahara and desert areas near the Algerian and Libyan borders, excluding tourist routes; region 2, the central-western mountains (Mounts Orbata, Selloum, Semmama, Chaambi and Mghila). | Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych (ministère polonais des affaires étrangères), service Odyseusz (Site last updated 3 September 2026) |
| Czechia | Increased caution during the stay, especially outside hotel resorts; avoid crowded places off the usual routes, isolated areas and going out at night; restrict photos to resorts and monuments, no public buildings or strangers. State of emergency since 24/11/2015. Warning against travel: areas near the Algerian and Libyan borders; mountains of Kasserine and Le Kef governorates; towns around Siliana and Kasserine; the desert south of the Bir Rjim Maatoug – Borj Bourguiba – Ben Guerdane line; the north-western mountains. The country sheet adds: high risk west of the Ain Draham – Jendouba – Le Kef – Kasserine – Sidi Bouzid – Gafsa – Tozeur line and south of the Tozeur – Kebili – Medenine – Zarzis line; south of Tataouine, military zone, governorate permit to request 4 to 6 weeks ahead outside organised tours. | Ministerstvo zahraničních věcí (ministère tchèque des affaires étrangères), Upozornění na cesty (Site last updated 10 April 2025) |
| Netherlands | Yellow for most of the country: specific security risks. Red, do not travel: the border area with Libya, largely a military zone, especially south of Ben Gardane; the desert areas south of the Al Borma – Remada – Ben Gardane line (criminals and terrorist groups, increased kidnapping risk); the Algerian border from west of the town of El Kef southwards, keeping at least 2 km from the border; the Chaambi massif and the Mghila, Semmama and Salloum mountains (armed clashes, explosives and landmines). Orange, essential travel only: the area between the south of the town of Tataouine and the Al Borma – Remada – Ben Gardane line; the town of Kasserine and its surroundings. Limited terrorist threat, state of emergency since 2015, road checks; outside the coastal area, travel with tour operators and agencies certified by the Tunisian Ministry of Tourism. Regular demonstrations, especially in Tunis. | Nederland Wereldwijd (ministère néerlandais des Affaires étrangères), Reisadvies Tunesië (Site last updated 17 September 2026) |
| Norway | Not checked by Sabaro: see Regjeringen | |
| Austria | Not checked by Sabaro: see BMEIA | |
| Italy | Not checked by Sabaro: see Viaggiare Sicuri | |
| Spain | Not checked by Sabaro: see exteriores.gob.es | |
| Portugal | Not checked by Sabaro: see Portal das Comunidades | |
| Finland | Not checked by Sabaro: see Ulkoministeriö (um.fi) | |
The details are in our Tunisia safety guide, and other ways to spend a night in the desert in our night in the desert guide.
Getting there
The hotel's website lists three airports:
- Gabès-Matmata: 132 km, about 1 h 30; it had no scheduled flights in 2026;
- Tozeur-Nefta (TOE): 134 km, about 2 hours, via the Chott el Djerid road; direct flights from France from October to June;
- Djerba-Zarzis (DJE): 220 km, about 3 h 45, with direct flights all year from France and Belgium.
In practice, Tozeur and Djerba are the gateways. The address is the Tourist Route, Douz.
Season
The Saharan south is pleasant from October to April. From June to October the heat takes over: the hotel quotes 30 to 50 °C in July. In winter the days stay mild (highs of 17 to 19 °C at nearby Kébili from December to February), but nights are cold, around 4 to 6 °C: bring a jumper for evenings on the rooftop. The International Sahara Festival takes place in Douz from 19 to 22 December 2026 (see Douz Sahara Festival). Ramadan 2027 is expected from 8 February to 9 March.
Price and tourist tax
In October 2026, for two nights from 9 March 2027, the cheapest villa was offered on the official website at about €335 a night for two adults, without breakfast, taxes included, with free cancellation.
The tourist tax is paid on top at the hotel: 12 Tunisian dinars (TND) per person per night in four- and five-star hotels, about €3.60 at the Central Bank of Tunisia rate of 19 October 2026, for up to ten nights; Sabaro confirms the amount charged. See our money in Tunisia guide.
Sabaro's view
Who for: couples, honeymooners, families with children aged 3 to 12.
Strengths: 133 m² villas from the entry level, the rooftops of the Prestige villas, the Clarins spa, the farm and cultural centre, and a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Tripadvisor (438 reviews).
Worth knowing: desert excursions south of Douz are advised against by several European foreign ministries; the nearest airport with flights is 2 hours by road.
Room types
| Room | Size | View | Bed | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahara Deluxe Villa | 133 m² (60 m² int.) | king-size or twin beds | 2 guests | |
DetailsWho it suits: Couples. Bathroom: soaking tub and separate shower, rain shower, two wash basins Outdoor space: 73 m² terrace Highlights: one bedroom; 24 villas of this type Amenities: individually controlled air conditioning, ceiling fan, IPTV, mini bar, personal safe, bathrobes and slippers | ||||
| Sahara Prestige Villa | 164 m² (88 m² int.) | starry skies and sand dunes from the rooftop terrace | king-size bed | 2 to 3 guests |
DetailsWho it suits: Couples or families with one child. Bathroom: soaking tub and separate shower, rain shower, two wash basins Outdoor space: rooftop terrace; 76 m² terrace Highlights: one bedroom and generous living room; 24 villas of this type; 24-hour in-villa dining Amenities: large sofa, rollaway bed on request, individually controlled air conditioning, IPTV, mini bar | ||||
| Presidential Pool Villa - Royal Oasis & Royal Mirage | 429 m² | desert vistas from the rooftop terrace | two bedrooms, each with a king-size bed | 4 to 6 guests |
DetailsWho it suits: Families, small groups, celebrations. Bathroom: ensuite bathroom per bedroom with soaking tub and separate shower Outdoor space: private pool and rooftop terrace (243 m² of terrace and pool) Highlights: two villas of this type; living and dining room; reception services for celebrations | ||||
Source: The Residence Douz, hébergements (site officiel) — accessed 20 October 2026
Restaurants
The Dining Room, Talis, Lobby Bar
Facilities
- 50 villas: 24 Sahara Deluxe, 24 Sahara Prestige, 2 Presidential Pool Villas
- The Spa by Clarins: 8 treatment rooms, 2 scrub rooms, hammam, indoor pool and gym
- Outdoor pool shaded by a colonnade
- Gazelle Kids Club (ages 3 to 12) with observatory, kitchen and outdoor pool
- Earth Basket permaculture farm and Mud House cultural centre (cooking, crafts)
- Activities: camel rides, quad bikes, buggies, Berber villages; desert outings south of Douz (Tembaine, Jbil park, Ksar Ghilane) are advised against by several European foreign ministries
- Optional camel ride from reception to villa on arrival
Location
In Douz, the "Gateway to the Sahara", at the northern edge of the Grand Erg Oriental, on the south-eastern shore of Chott el Djerid; 134 km (2 hours) from Tozeur–Nefta Airport (TOE), 132 km (1.5 hours) from Gabès-Matmata Airport and 220 km (3 hours 45) from Djerba-Zarzis Airport (DJE).
Guest reviews
4,9/5 — 438 reviews
Rating published by a travel website. Verified reviews from Sabaro travellers will appear here after their first trips.
Source: Tripadvisor — accessed 20 October 2026
On social media
Official accounts: Instagram · Facebook
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Frequently asked questions
Which airport should I use for The Residence Douz?
Tozeur-Nefta (about 2 hours by road), linked with France by direct flights from October to June, or Djerba-Zarzis (about 3 h 45), served all year. Gabès-Matmata is closest but had no scheduled flights in 2026.
Can I take a dune trip from the hotel?
The hotel offers them, but the desert south of Douz, including Tembaine, Jbil park and Ksar Ghilane, is advised against by several European foreign ministries. Sabaro does not offer these trips.
Which villa should I choose?
The Sahara Prestige Villa, for its rooftop facing the dunes and the night sky; the Presidential Pool Villa for a family or a group of four to six.
When should I go to Douz?
From October to April. Summer is scorching, up to 50 °C in July according to the hotel; winter nights are cold.
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