Alcohol-free or halal hotel in Tunisia: how to choose before you book

"Alcohol-free hotel in Tunisia", "halal hotel", "Islamic hotel": these searches come up again and again among Algerian families planning a holiday across the border. Yet the words do not mean the same thing to everyone: halal food, a room without a minibar, no bar at all, a pool where you can swim in modest swimwear… Here is how to make sense of it all, and above all how to check before you pay.

What "halal" and "alcohol-free" mean for a hotel

There is no single "halal hotel" or "alcohol-free hotel" label in Tunisia that you could read on the front of a building. The words cover several different things, and it helps to keep them apart:

• Halal food. Tunisia is a Muslim-majority country: in hotels, the meat served is in principle halal and pork is generally not on the menu. If it matters to you, ask anyway, especially in hotels with many European guests.
• A hotel that serves no alcohol at all. This is the rarest case. The large beach resorts generally serve alcohol at the bar, and many all-inclusive packages include local drinks "with or without alcohol". Fully alcohol-free properties do exist, but you cannot take it for granted: it has to be checked hotel by hotel.
• An alcohol-free room. This is easier to ask for: you can request that the minibar be emptied. Mention it when you book.
• Separate or reserved areas. A women-only pool or beach, reserved hours at the hammam or spa: these remain the exception on the Tunisian coast, where hotel pools and beaches are usually mixed. If it matters to you, ask whether the hotel offers a reserved area or time slot.
• Swimwear. Pool rules vary from one hotel to another. Some hotels have restricted burkinis in their pools, while others accept them without any problem. If you plan to wear modest swimwear, ask before booking rather than on arrival.

How to check before you book

1. Read the hotel page. Look at the dining section of our hotel pages: when it says the all-inclusive package includes alcoholic drinks, that is a clear clue, because a hotel that serves them in its package is not an alcohol-free hotel. If nothing is said, ask.
2. Ask your questions in writing. Before paying, write to us: does the hotel serve alcohol, and where (bar, restaurant, beach)? Can the minibar be emptied? Are burkinis allowed in the pool? Is there a pool or are there hours reserved for women? Is the meat halal? You can ask us to put the question to the hotel before you book.
3. Read recent reviews. Rules change, especially on swimwear and evening entertainment. A review from this season is worth more than an old brochure.
4. Keep the answer. Save the written answer: it can help at reception if there is any misunderstanding.

Which resort to choose

• Hammamet and Yasmine Hammamet: the best-known resort, with a wide choice of family hotels. The bigger the choice, the better your chances of finding a hotel that fits your criteria. See our hotels in Hammamet.
• Sousse and Port El Kantaoui: lively resorts with many club hotels and water parks. Evenings are often festive, so ask about the entertainment programme if you want peace and quiet. See our hotels in Sousse.
• Monastir and Mahdia: calmer, popular for their beaches and slower pace, which many families look for. See our hotels in Monastir.
• Djerba: the island and its large clubs, for a real change of scene. Here too, most clubs run on an all-inclusive basis, so check what the package contains. See our hotels in Djerba.

All-inclusive: read the details

All-inclusive is very common in Tunisia. It generally covers buffet meals and drinks served at set times, sometimes including alcohol. If you do not want alcohol at your table, half board or full board may also suit you: ask us to compare the options available for your dates. Bear in mind that in a hotel that serves alcohol, the bar stays open to other guests whatever your board basis.

Booking and payment

On Nreservi you book your hotel in Tunisia online, and you can write to us before booking to ask your questions about the hotel. From Algeria, you pay in dinars without a bank card: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly office. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you once the payment is made. To compare all our seaside addresses, see our beach hotels in Tunisia. Travelling with children? See also our hotels with slides and water parks.

See our hotels in Tunisia

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.