The Hotel That Was Once Luke Skywalker’s Home

The Hotel That Was Once Luke Skywalker’s Home

Spot Cool Stuff previously reviewed the cool, luxurious and eco-friendly Adrere Amellal resort in Egypt; we described being there as like living on Tatooine, Luke Skywalker’s desertic home planet in Star Wars.

Further to the west, in Matmata, Tunisia, there’s a desert lodge that isn’t like Tatooine. It is Tatooine1. That lodge, the Sidi Driss Hotel, served as the filming location for several scenes in Star Wars.

 The Hotel That Was Once Luke Skywalkers Home

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The Sidi Driss Hotel and Matmata in Star Wars

star wars travel hotel s1 The Hotel That Was Once Luke Skywalkers Home follow me on pinterest button The Hotel That Was Once Luke Skywalkers Home The Sidi Driss makes it’s most recognizable appearance in the 1977 original Star Wars movie as the home of Owen and Beru Whitesun Lars, the adoptive parents of Luke Skywalker. Most of the interior shots, including the Lars’ kitchen and dining room, were filmed at the hotel as well. Twenty five years later, when George Lucas got around to filming Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones the hotel had changed so little that the Sidi Driss was once again used for some filming scenes for Luke’s childhood.

Around the town of Matmata (in specific) and southern Tunisia (in general) you’ll find many other Tatooine filming locations. For a great day trip from the Sidi Driss, head 10 km to La Grande Dune, a rocky canyon where the Jawas capture R2D2.

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The Sidi Driss Hotel as the Lars Homestead in Star Wars

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The Sidi Driss Hotel as you'll find it today

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The Sidi Driss Hotel and Matmata today

tunisia star wars 1 The Hotel That Was Once Luke Skywalkers Home follow me on pinterest button The Hotel That Was Once Luke Skywalkers Home The Sidi Driss is a bit of an unusual hotel insofar as much of it is underground and getting around the hotel requires navigating a series of tunnel-like walkways.

It should be mentioned that many — perhaps most — of the guests who have stayed here would not wish to do so again. Some of those wish they had not the first time. The Sidi Driss has a rather uncared-for feel. Not dirty exactly, but untidy and dilapidated. The rooms are decidedly no frills and a bit dreary. The bathrooms are shared. When you check in definitely ask to see some vacant rooms so that you can choose the best among them; we’re partial to room #15. 2

That said, Spot Cool Stuff is a fan of the Hotel Sidi Driss. It could have so easily been turned into a white washed, Disney-esque Star Wars attraction. That it has been left in its semi-ignored state makes it seem like a sort of place that travelers can feel they “discover.” Room rates are cheap (eg. €10~20) and include breakfast. If your able to secure cheap tickets to Tunisia you could have yourself a vacation that’s both affordable and strong with The Force.

If you are planning to visit, but not stay at, the Hotel Sidi Driss, note that it is especially magical around dusk. Although, unlike Tatooine, you’ll only see one sun set.

published: 4 May (aka Star Wars Day) 2011
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1 In a nod to Tunisia, the filming location for all the outdoor Tatooine scenes, “Tatooine” is a local Berber word that literally translates as “eye” but is used to describe a spring of water found in the desert.

2 The Sidi Driss isn’t on any electronic booking system (that we know of). You can try to book a room by fax (00216 75 240 265) but your chances of getting back a real confirmed reservation are 50/50 at best. You are just as well off having a good guidebook and showing up by late morning on the day you wish to stay.

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 The Hotel That Was Once Luke Skywalkers HomeRelated posts:
Star Wars Voices on a TomTom Car GPS
Reviews of the Best BPA-Free Water Bottles
Real Life Places That Look Like Dr. Seuss Drawings ← one is in Tunisia
LOST Hawaii Filming Locations

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Responses

  1. Mark Richard says:

    This place looks beautiful!! Good site.

    [Reply to this comment]

  2. Yaz says:


    Twitter:
    This is too cool. I love this site! I am not kidding.
    Yaz recently posted..Your Questions About Air MauritiusMy Profile

    [Reply to this comment]

  3. Boutique Homes says:


    Twitter:
    Will have to add this one to our “Movie Atlas” list. It’s super cool and is definitely going to be a big draw on the Star Wars name alone – though it seems getting a reservation is going to be difficult in more ways than one! Tweeting this.

    [Reply to this comment]

  4. Revistas says:

    Now that´s impressive! Big star wars fan here

    [Reply to this comment]

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