Tunisia has long been a favorite vacation spot for Europeans for its sandy beaches, spa resorts, and fabulous historic sites (like the ancient ruins of Carthage). The Mediterranean village of Sidi Bou Said attracted artists like Henri Matisse and Paul Klee, and the fabled isle of Djerba famously lured Odysseus with its charms. But the allure of Tunisia has primarily escaped Americans. That soon might change, however, with the opening of the Ritz-Carlton Tunis, Carthage in 2014.
Owned by CompanieTunisienne de Development Touristique (CTDT), a subsidiary of the Driss-Jenayah Group, the hotel sits on the beach next to the Presidential Palace in a posh suburb of Tunis. (The ruins of ancient Carthage are just steps away.) There will be 129 suites designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), along with seven restaurants and bars; a ballroom; and a large spa. For more information, visit www.ritzcarlton.com