Hôtel Iberostar Kuriat PalaceAll Inclusive in Monastir

Claire Vasseur

JustRelax travel writer · 5 min read

Tunisia begins the moment you step into the lobby. The palm-lined pathways, the polished marble underfoot, the salt-tinged breeze drifting in from the nearby Mediterranean: the Iberostar Kuriat Palace sets its mood instantly. Located in Monastir, a city whose ancient ramparts have faced the sea since the seventh century, the hotel draws on local history and materials with quiet confidence. A few hours from Europe, and you are already in a different light, a different pace, a different shade of sky.

Arrival

The hotel sits in the heart of Monastir's seaside resort area, approximately 1.5 km from the international airport. That proximity makes the transfer almost effortless, and bags reach the room long before jet lag has a chance to settle in. The 24-hour front desk handles arrivals smoothly, with check-in available from 3 pm. The rooms are spacious and well-appointed. The standard Double Room covers 36 sq m and includes a furnished balcony or terrace, a choice of double or twin beds, a bathroom with shower, hairdryer and toiletries, minibar, tea and coffee facilities, safe, air conditioning, TV and Wi-Fi. Superior Rooms stretch to 42 sq m and Family Rooms to 45 sq m, accommodating up to four adults. Sea view upgrades are available at an additional cost, and certain rooms are adapted for guests with reduced mobility upon request. The palm-filled gardens surrounding the property give every walk between buildings a sense of unhurried, sun-warmed ease. The décor draws from local history and regional materials rather than leaning on a generic exotic look.

Dining, all included

The all-inclusive formula covers all three meals of the day, served as varied buffets in the main restaurant. Breakfast runs from 6 am to 10 am, lunch from 12:30 pm to 2 pm, and dinner from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The buffet format lets you eat at your own pace without time pressure. The drinks package is generous: water, fruit juices, sodas, wine, beer, local spirits, coffee and tea during meals, plus a selection of local and international beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, available from 10 am to 11 pm at the Lobby Bar and Pool Bar. Outside these hours, drinks become chargeable. For an evening with a different feel, the à la carte restaurant Barberousse serves local Tunisian specialties in a more intimate setting, from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. This restaurant is not included in the all-inclusive formula and comes at an extra cost, but it offers a genuine taste of Tunisian cuisine worth the addition. We recommend verifying the full details of the all-inclusive package directly on the Iberostar website, as inclusions may vary depending on the season and room type.

Days by the water

The hotel has three outdoor swimming pools, two of which are equipped with water slides, plus an outdoor hot tub. Sunloungers, parasols, Balinese beds and pool towels with a deposit make it easy to settle in for a full day without searching for a comfortable spot. The Pool Bar, open from 10 am to midnight, means you never have to leave your sunlounger to get a drink. The private sandy beach is directly accessible from the hotel, with sunloungers and parasols included. In a seaside resort, that direct access is a real advantage: no walking, no negotiating with an independent beach attendant. You lay your towel and walk into the Mediterranean. Water sports are also available on the beach side, and a golf course is accessible nearby. For those who prefer to stay on dry land, a gym, mini-golf, table tennis, darts and pétanque are all on offer. The Sensation Spa rounds out the wellness side with an indoor pool, a hot tub and a sauna included in the package, while a hammam, massages, treatments, a hair salon, manicure and pedicure services are available at an additional cost.

Evening vibes

When the sun goes down, the hotel stays alive. Themed evenings, professional shows and live concerts give the nights a rhythm without making attendance compulsory. You go if the mood strikes, or you stay by the water if you prefer. The Lobby Bar, open until midnight, provides a natural transition between dinner and the evening, with an atmosphere that mirrors the rest of the property: relaxed but present. For those who want to venture out, Monastir's medina and the ramparts of the Fort Ribat are an easy reach. Sousse and Port El-Kantaoui are around thirty minutes away by road, for anyone looking to extend their evening further afield.

Who is it for?

The Iberostar Kuriat Palace is a resort designed to welcome everyone with equal effectiveness. Families will appreciate the water slide pools, the playground and the Star Camp kids' club for children aged 5 to 12. The 45 sq m Family Rooms comfortably accommodate up to four adults or various adult-child combinations without crowding anyone. Couples and senior travellers will find their rhythm in the spa, on the private beach, or organizing day trips to the Kuriat Islands, the holy city of Kairouan or the Roman amphitheatre of El Jem, about an hour's drive away. The hotel also works exceptionally well for those with no desire to leave the grounds at all: everything is here, on-site, in a setting that genuinely earns its five-star rating.