Tunisia. A land where the people smile, the service is amazing, and the shopping is incredible.  It is a land where resorts are a destination experience in themselves.

Framissima Regency Hotel and Spa is in the heart of the Marina of Monastir, and only 5-10 minutes walking from the town center with its Medina, “Ribat” and the famous Habib Bourguiba mausoleum, Framissima Regency Hotel and Spa offers a superb location, and when we decided to stay here we selected it because it looked like it had traditional Tunisian luxury and style.

And we were right! We found the best Spa in Tunisia.

That afternoon we left Sousse and headed to Monastir.  It was time to change resorts and see a bit more of Tunisia.

As soon as we arrived we felt the difference in the standard of this resort to the last one we had stayed in. There was a traditionally dressed smiling doorman for starters and pretty flowers in the garden.

It took a lot longer than we planned to bid farewell to the friends we had made in Sousse, and we all felt very close after the past few days. We had lived through the terrorist attack right near us, and it had shaken us all up quite a lot.

So to arrive at the Regency Hotel and Spa was just the change we needed.

The lobby was ornately decorated and exuded Tunisian charm and class.

Explorason headed to the relaxation area where cushions, mats, old-style lanterns and the charm of Tunisian handicrafts decorated every inch of the area.

We were guided upstairs to our charming room. Once a Club Med (and also a Hyatt Hotel I believe?), this resort is now being tastefully redecorated.

A studded wooden Arabian style blue door made for a gracious entrance, and the cool air-conditioning awaited us. We couldn’t wait to go exploring.

Our room was just lovely!  Newly tiled cream floor opening to a wide outdoor balcony.  All the furniture was blue, and then tiled tables and a flat-screen TV. This was just so nice! And the view was to the sea on the left, and the township on the right with the marina before us. Perfect.

I was thirty and parched, and Explorason was hot and wanted a swim. So we headed straight down to the Maritime style bar. I really loved the oceanic gloss wooden décor. Double doors lead out to a patio area that overlooked the pool, and we wandered out to meet the staff.

Everyone was so friendly and welcoming.

Tunisia has just been the victim of a terrible blow. Yet it felt a million miles away now we had traveled down the coast – less than an hour away.

Beyond the soft Mediterranean Sea breeze gently blew. Explorason jumped in and I sat and enjoyed my drink, but soon I joined him. I do not like cold water to swim in, but this temperature was perfect for me. YAY.

It felt so good to relax and unwind and I felt that floating in the pool water was almost cleansing of the stresses of the past week.

Evening came and I think I saw one of the most beautiful sunsets that I have seen in my whole life.

The horizon glowed a vibrant red, and the residual color hung in the sky for almost an hour.

It is true – African sunsets are amazing.

Explorason raced around photographing the sun as it dropped behind the sea, and I felt like life had a whole new depth and meaning.

Dinner was just lovely. We sat under the palm trees and met some lovely Austrian tourists.

The waiter guided us to a table where we looked out across the ocean and brought a bottle of chilled wine, and also water.

The staff served us with attention to detail, and we headed off to the various buffet areas.

The selection of food was fabulous, and far out-surpassed the last resort we were at.

Soon the animation team was inviting us to the evening’s events. It was a play and even though it had very little English spoken, it was incredibly funny.

We headed off up to bed as soon as it was over.

In about ten minutes we were asleep, but the next morning I woke early to the heavenly sound of just so many birds out by our patio. I sat outside with my morning coffee.

I realized life felt different.

The sound of birds singing meant more.

To look at the blue sky that seemed to hold more depth in its blue hues.

I went in and hugged my son.

Things that held little meaning drifted away and it seemed I had a whole new grasp on how precious life was, and how it needed to be lived.

It was a transformation time for me.

Breakfast was by the side of the pool and it was a perfect way to start the day.

We followed that with a cooking class and then we hung out by the pool.

Explorason and I both participated in the fun and silly games the staff planned.

I won the ladies section, and he won the kids section, and before we knew it lunch was being served.

We took turns seeing how far we could hit a plastic ring off someone’s head with a pool noodle.

Explorason headed to the lobby to use the computer by the gift store.

I regret to this day not buying a couple of Tunisia glazed pottery tea-light shoe candleholders I saw in this boutique style gift store. They were gorgeous, but the price was more reasonable than the souk markets.

They could also be used as an ash-tray. Just wish I’d bought one. Or two. Or three! Or ??? Maybe various sizes in the same color, or various colors in the same size. Or a combination …..

One thing I have learned with travel is that if you see something unique to buy it. We never saw them again anywhere.

We then went to the Habib Bourguiba mausoleum. One of the Animation team took 5 of us to town.  I will blog on that separately – it was just incredible. Can’t wait to share it with you.

That afternoon I was introduced to the very distinguished manager – Mr. Kooli.

He is so charming and offered me a guided tour of the hotel.

Everything from the gymnasium to the indoor pool, but the thing that surprised me the most was the incredible Hamman and

Les Thermes de Jasmin – BALNEOTHERAPY CENTER area.

I have never seen so many treatment rooms in my life !!!!

It was a whole two floors of the massive building devoted to every imaginable treatment style from head to foot – even a hairdresser; a beauty therapist; a hammam; and a wet and dry sauna. It was just incredible. Framissima Regency Hotel and Spa is definitely the place to go if you want to leave feeling totally pampered.

You could book a different treatment every day and not get through them all in a month!

Some of the suites I saw with views over the pool and beach were to die for, like the one above!.

That evening we had a real treat at Framissima Regency Hotel and Spa.

Sadly I couldn’t use flash but there were belly dancers, musicians, and a very unique balancing act.

Next thing I knew I was up on stage dancing with gyrating old man who had several ceramic pots, wooden planks and many bottles balancing on his head.

As he gentle wobbled his head, a bottle would tip and I would have to catch it.

It was strange and extraordinary.

An incredible Tunisian cultural event indeed.

The next day was to be our last.  I didn’t want to leave.

We lazed around by the pool.  We joined in some games and had a good rest. I finished my book – yah!

Then we went for a walk at sunset to the nearby Marina.  Oh, the sky was a glorious pink.

We came back and enjoyed another incredible dinner al-fresco style.

I loved they way Framissima Regency Hotel and Spa themed their dining experiences.  This evening was a traditional Tunisian cuisine.

The dishes and choices were just great. Being Ramadan some traditional meals were also prepared. It really was just so special.

I found the food so healthy too. Compared to the last place we stayed, it was wonderful to have so many choices.

The staff was so helpful. We are set to travel to the south of Tunisia in the morning and the receptionist had assisted with researching various transportation choices.

I’d go back to Framissima Regency Hotel and Spa and I can definitely recommend it.  It is affordable, and yet luxurious.

And it is a lot of fun!

Accommodation Name: Framissima Regency Hotel and Spa

Location: Cap Marina, 5000 MONASTIR, Tunisie

Telephone:  (+216) 73 460 033

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hôtel-Regency-Monastir-/119764631435081?fref=ts

Website: http://www.regency-hotel-spa.com/index.php?lang=en

Email: booking@regency-hotel-spa.com or  commercial@regency-hotel-spa.com

Date stayed: July 2015

Breakfast: Yes, with All Inclusive as the best option

Bar: Yes, several including a very classy inside bar

Wi-fi: Yes we had good wifi in our room

Child-friendly: Yes with an animation team too

Here are a few more details fro their website –