HOTELHOTELHOTELHOTELtea as you gaze out over the sea. Don’t look too closely at the deserted beaches, though, as
they’re knee-deep in litter.
Unfortunately Nador itself offers little when you arrive, regardless of its size. Apart from
Marchika, its pretty lagoon, there are no sights or attractions in this endless sprawl of concrete
blocks. The city serves more as a transport link, with a major airport, active ferry port and
sleek new train station with a service to Fez. Like the rest of the coast, this situation is
changing, with the requisite corniche and palm-lined boulevards now complete. The
accompanying development of hotels, restaurants and marina has stalled, as it has everywhere
on the coast. It’s best not to linger in Nador.
Sleeping
There’s no shortage of hotels of all classes in Nador but be warned, many prefer to sell their
rooms by the hour. The cheaper places are near the bus and grand-taxi stations.
Hotel Annakhil €€
( 0536 33 58 67; 185 Blvd de Tanger; s/d/ste Dh420/520/800; ) The Annakhil might be
overkill on decor with its orange corridors, plastic plants and bright blue bedrooms, but it’s the
best midrange option. There’s good linen, comfortable beds, TVs and fridges in the rooms. The
cafe next door serves breakfast. The bar rocks at night – only a very brave woman would
venture alone into this den.
Hotel Mediterranée €
( 0536 60 64 95; [email protected]; 2-4 Ave Youssef ibn Tachfine; s/d
Dh252/326; ) Views from this hotel have been annihilated by the new Hotel Rif being
constructed at the time of research. But it’s still only one block back from the corniche and
lagoon. The corner rooms have plenty of light, and all have TVs. Air-conditioning is an extra
Dh50. There’s a dull restaurant (dishes from Dh60) on the ground floor serving breakfast,
omelettes and fish.
Hotel Geranio €
( 0536 60 28 28; 16 Rue No 20; s/d Dh160/188) Just away from the chaos of the bus
station, streetside rooms here can be noisy, but the low prices make this the top budget option.
Clean rooms come with tiny bathrooms. There’s a ground-floor cafeteria as well.
Hotel Ryad €€€
( 0536 60 77 17; [email protected]; Ave Mohammed V; s/d incl breakfast
Dh700/950; ) Once plush but now showing its age and somewhat overpriced, the Ryad is a
large hotel with two bars and a disco that make rooms on the 2nd and 4th floors unbearably
noisy until midnight. The rooms have standard features and those on the top floor have views
over the lagoon.
Eating & Drinking
There are numerous cheap eats around the CTM bus station, serving up quick brochettes,
sandwiches and tajines. Ave Mohammed V is the place for a lazy coffee – street cafes line the