HOTELHOTELB&BHOTELHOTELHôtel Bellerive €€
( 0522 79 75 04; www.belleriv.com; 38 Blvd de La Corniche, Aïn Diab; s/d/tr incl breakfast
Dh550/750/1050; ) The lovely terrace, pool and garden make up for the dated, standard
rooms at this small, family-run hotel. Many rooms have ocean views though, and it’s cheaper
than most along this waterfront strip. There’s plenty of space and a playground, which makes it
a good bet if you’re travelling with children.
Hôtel le Littoral €€€
( 0522 79 73 73; fax 0522 79 73 74; Blvd de l’Océan Atlantique, Aïn Diab; s/d incl
breakfast Dh990/1380; ) This cavernous, well-kept hotel is rather dark, with rooms that
were being upgraded at the time we visited. The large balconies have wonderful views over the
beach. The hotel has two restaurants, a discotheque and beach umbrellas for hire.
Dar Itrit €€
( 0522 36 02 58; www.daritrit.ma; 9 Rue Restinga; s/d Dh870/980; ) There are only three
double rooms in this charming B&B, each decorated in a different Moroccan style – Marrakesh,
Berber and Mogador. A delicious breakfast is served in a bright living room or on the terrace, in
this slightly out-of-the-centre location.
Hôtel Oued-Dahab €
Offline map Google map ( 0522 22 38 66; 17 Rue Mohamed Belloul; s/d/tr Dh120/160/220;s/d/tr with bathroom Dh150/220/295) Run by the same family as the Guynemer, this hotel with
spacious rooms is cheap and clean and offers rooms either sharing communal facilities or with
private bathrooms. Rooms facing inwards are quieter but a bit darker. Good value.
Hôtel Hyatt Regency €€€
Offline map Google map ( 0522 43 12 34; www.casablanca.hyatt.com; Pl des Nations Unis; rDh1900; ) The best and the most central of all the five-star hotels, the Hyatt is a
favourite meeting place for Casablancais for a meal in one of the many restaurants, or a drink
at the bar. The spacious rooms are equipped with modern amenities and decorated in an
elegant contemporary style, and have magnificent views of Casablanca, the old medina, the
ocean and the Hassan II Mosque. The hotel also has a discotheque and spa.
TAHIR SHAH, WRITER & CASABLANCA RESIDENT
I love the wild vibrancy of Casablanca. It’s the hotchpotch melting pot of Morocco. I’ve lived here for seven years and it just
keeps on getting better and better – it’s always enthralling. There are so few tourists that you do a double-take if you see one.
My favourite places? It depends on my mood. The old art-deco downtown around Pl Mohammed V is one. What a jewel, a
treasure! It’s grimy and grubby, but the faded grandeur is a jaw-dropping travel experience. Most Casablancais wouldn’t be
seen dead down there!
Another art-deco building is the Stade Velodrome where they have greyhound racing every week. Going to the dogs in
Casablanca – it’s very seedy and I love it.