Opening its doors in October 2023, The Residence Douz is Cenizaro Hotels & Resorts’ first desert resort and the brand’s second opening in Tunisia. Serving as a gateway to the Sahara, surrounded by glistening golden sands and swaying palms, the serene retreat comprises of 50 elegant villas, two gourmet restaurants and a sprawling Spa by Clarins, all set within 14 hectares of rolling dunes.

Located in southern Tunisia, the luxury resort provides an otherworldly escape for travellers seeking an oasis of comfort and seclusion. Set within an intimate palm oasis, the encampment seamlessly combines modern luxuries with timeless elegance, inviting guests to dream peacefully under a sky full of stars and detach from the outside world. Referencing local design and aesthetics, villas and communal areas incorporate artwork from emerging Tunisian painters and sculptors, hand-woven carpets and private terraces. Take a dip in the expansive pool before whiling away the afternoon on plush sun loungers, with refreshing beverages and sumptuous snacks served poolside to quench appetites.

With a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites to explore, guests are encouraged to venture outside the resort by jeep, camel or quadbike and fully immerse themselves in the destination. Guest ambassadors are on hand to arrange a variety of excursions, from day trips to the village of Matmata, famed for its troglodyte houses which once played the home of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, to a luxury camping experience in Tembaine. Travel across dunes in 4x4s and pass through Jebil Park to spot protected Saharan species from gazelles to reptile, before arriving at camp for sunset to gather around the fire and dine under the stars. Another must-visit site is Tamerza, an abandoned village that overlooks a mesmerising mountainscape, complete with towering waterfall and canyon which guests can wander through during a full-day excursion. This includes a tour of a former Berber fortress, Ksar