This is a delightful small hotel in the centre of the island well away fro Zone Touristique and the package holiday makers. Djerba had a large Jewish population based in Erriadh. Many had returned to Israel after the Second World War.
Dar Dhiafra was originally 5 houses which had belonged to Jewish families and had fallen into disrepair. It was bought by the present owners who spent 5 years restoring the houses as a small hotel. It is a rabbit warren inside with several small courtyards with rooms off.
Entry off the street is through a massive wooden doorway which leads into a passageway with a reception area and small seating area. The white ‘contemporary’ lounge is beyond with the bar to one side. A passageway leads to a courtyard with the restaurant and outside tables. Through an archway is another courtyard with a swimming pool and rooms round it.
A Corridor from reception leads to another courtyard with 4 rooms off it. A passage way from this leads to another courtyard with a small swimming pool with steps down into it and more rooms. Beyond are more rooms. Wooden furniture is scattered round and large old water jars.
Madame has very little English and sent for Sabine who showed us two rooms to choose from. The room we chose had a doorway which lead into the main room with a large sitting alcove opposite with couches round three sides and a small table in the centre. The bed was to the right. It was a standard double and there was not enough space for bedside tables although there was a shelf behind it. There was a minibar in cupboard and a small wardrobe. There was a large bathroom off with corner bath with hand held shower but no shower curtain, wash basin, toilet and bidet. We were provided with two large bath towels and two hand towels. It was a very nice room but a bit cramped with little space around the bed and nowhere to put suitcases. It was a very comfortable bed and the area is so quiet we slept well.
The second room we looked at had even less space round bed which would have made it difficult to get in and out of. It did have a large curtained off area for hanging clothes which would give space for suitcases.
Information pack in the room warns against drinking water in Djerba and says water is available in the minibar. It also says it is forbidden to bring water or food into the rooms.
It is a small, pleasant dining room and very attentive service. When we arrived we were asked by reception what we wanted to eat that night. We had chosen meat rater than fish and Michael asked for a serving of cabbage. We were served two small chicken nibbles to begin with bread. This was followed by a plate of salad with tuna fish, tomato, olives and an unidentified puree. Next was an ENORMOUS rib of beef each with a portion of cabbage. It was very good and floored both of us. We didn’t want anything else. Michael treated himself to a half bottle of Tunisian Medoc. It was blackcurranty and very dry. The meal was expensive at 118TD, but good.
The following evening we asked to be shown the menu so we could choose dinner. We discovered we had been given the most expensive starter and main course last night. it was another excellent meal with small nibbles and sardine filets marinated in oil and lemon followed by Bric a l’oef. This is a traditional Tunisian dish and is a deep fried triangle of filo pastry containing a hard boiled egg and we think mashed potato. This was followed by lamb cutlets (two on the bone, two off) with cabbage. The lamb was grilled and very tender with lots of flavour. This came to a much more reasonable 70TD (but didn’t include wine).
We decided to have breakfast outside sitting in the courtyard. This consisted off freshly squeezed orange juice, boiled egg, yogurt, fresh fruit (apple, pear and orange chopped up), bread with apricot jam and pain au chocolate.
This is a delightful place to stay and meals are excellent. It is however expensive by Tunisian standards.
