Some have always resisted the siren call of leisure thalassotherapy and the democratization of spas; today, they are reaping the rewards of their perseverance, having succeeded in building a loyal base of discerning and demanding customers. Others, after giving in to the easy option, are now returning to basic principles. Is Tunisia returning to the path of rigor and quality that made the country an international benchmark?
In 1994, Tunisia became one of the pioneers of thalassotherapy with its first center and specific legislation. The first centers offered therapy programs lasting a week or more, under medical supervision, with precise protocols to guarantee the effectiveness of marine treatment.
At the turn of the 2000s, thalassotherapy became popular with a wider clientele, and the number of centers multiplied. Shorter programs, less well-trained staff, and then difficulties in tourism after 2011… many hotels focused on spa treatment and mini “discovery” programs, and ordinary customers replaced the specific thalassotherapy clientele.
However, some recently opened luxury hotels—La Cigale Tabarka, Royal Tulip Korbous Bay—seem to be aiming for excellence once again. And among the older centers, some have persevered in their choice of high-end thalassotherapy.
Athénée Thalasso & Spa: a history of excellence
The center at the Radisson Blu Palace Djerba hotel has remained true to the high standards it set when it first opened. It has established itself as the leading figure in Tunisian thalassotherapy.
Launched in 1998 by Marie-Noëlle Veillet and managed by Kaïs Nabli since 2010, the Athénée Thalasso & Spa has not seen a revolving door of directors. This consistency in management has paid off: it is often fully booked in the shoulder seasons, and thalassotherapy itself still accounts for 40% of its business, compared to 60% for spa treatment (whereas many centers rely mainly on massages and beauty treatments).
Presence of a specialist doctor, ongoing training sessions, and regular renovations: These efforts are rewarded with a loyalty rate of over 60%.
The other secret of the Athénée Thalasso & Spa may lie in its constant search for innovation. It has always been a pioneer in energy treatments, from Shiatsu to Kobido and Chi Nei Tsang. Year after year, it has introduced individual coaching, treatments using natural products from Djerba, relaxation in the pool, and many other treatments. This year, there are two new pieces of equipment: the Watermass and the Hydrojet hydromassage bed.
Add to that the presence of a specialist doctor, ongoing training sessions (more than 10 per year), and regular renovations. These efforts are rewarded with a loyalty rate of over 60%.
In 2024, the center obtained AquaCheck National Certification and ISO 17680 Thalassotherapy Certification.
“Whether for thalassotherapy or other treatments, the center’s professional standards are reflected in its stable and highly qualified teams—more than 70% of our employees have been with us for over 18 years. Under the supervision of a doctor specializing in hydrology and alternative medicine, each guest receives personalized care. Physiotherapists, practitioners, and senior thalassotherapy technicians are trained in international best practices.
“We also take particular care to promote the center through a constant presence at specialized trade shows, notably Thermalies Paris, and regular media coverage on television, in the specialized press, digital media, social networks, etc.”
Kaïs Nabli, Director of Athénée Thalasso & Spa
Bio Azur Thalasso & Spa: a sure bet
This center stands out in Tunisia’s thalassotherapy landscape as a true guardian of tradition. It is part of the Azur complex in Hammamet, whose developer was the first in Tunisia to invest in thalassotherapy, as early as 1994. Today, the center still occupies a prominent place within this small village of three hotels (Bel Azur, Royal Azur, and Solazur) surrounded by lush greenery.
A long tradition of thalassotherapy, a range of accommodation options, and the beauty of the recently renovated center make Bio Azur a benchmark establishment.
Bio Azur Thalasso & Spa has a magnificent hammam, spacious and lined with multicolored Tunisian ceramics. Recently, it underwent a major renovation to create beautiful, minimalist spaces and an exceptional indoor-outdoor aquatonic pool heated to 33°C.
The center offers a complete experience, ranging from the classic thalassotherapy program with four treatment sessions per day to the “Madéro-Ayurvedic” therapy program (inspired by India and Colombia) and the Spa by Thalgo beauty protocols.
“The Azur complex is first and foremost a 15-hectare flower-filled park located on the edge of one of the most beautiful and largest beaches in Hammamet. It is precisely this park that has led not to the simple coexistence of several units, but to the creation of a tourist village where life is good, where guests can stroll from one area to another.”
Haykel Akrout, Director of the Bel Azur hotel
Odyssée Thalasso & Spa: a new beginning
With its southern atmosphere and earthy, sandy colors, this center in Zarzis is one of the oldest in Tunisia. It is relaunching this year with a renovation of its hydraulic system and a focus on new, more exclusive treatments. In particular, thermal water treatment is offered thanks to the hotel’s own spring, which has been feeding one of the pools for years. Another new feature is personalized therapeutic treatment led by a specialized coach.
The center’s menu includes a wide range of classic and specific therapy programs with four or five treatment sessions per day, as well as relaxation programs, packages, massages from around the world, and Thalgo rituals.