HOTELHOTELHOTELHOTELharbour view. Noise from the Tangier Inn below is the only drawback.
Hotel El Djenina €
( 0539 92 22 44; [email protected]; 8 Rue al-Antaki; s/d l Dh351/451; ) This hotel is
just up the hill from the Marco Polo, but it’s just below it in quality. The rooms here are still
bright and modern, albeit smaller, and the facilities are less impressive, although the cosy
bar/restaurant with patio views to the sea is pleasant. Don’t expect to receive any service if
there’s football on the television.
Pension Hollande €
Offline map Google map ( 0539 93 78 38; 139 Rue de Hollande; s/d Dh200/350) Tucked awayin a quiet street a short walk from Place de France, this former hospital has sparkling
whitewashed rooms and high ceilings, though the bathrooms can be claustrophobic. All rooms
have sinks; doubles come with a shower. Hot water is available on demand. Of the main rooms,
Room 11 and Room 8 are your best bets, but for a budget steal, don’t miss the loft rooms up
the hidden spiral staircase (single/double Dh100/150, with shared bathroom).
Hotel Rembrandt €€
Offline map Google map ( 0539 33 33 14; www.hotel-rembrandt.com; Ave Mohammed V; s/d
Dh650/790, sea view add Dh100, breakfast Dh80; ) Rooms here are pretty standard
and are in marked contrast to the elegant downstairs lobby, with its classic elevator and curving
staircase. However, the glassed-in restaurant (set menu Dh150, alcohol served) is a welcome
addition, the green garden cafe is a tranquil spot to relax, and the swank Blue Pub with its
oddly purple velvet couches is a popular night spot (beer from Dh20, wine from Dh80).
El-Minzah €€€
Offline map Google map ( 0539 93 58 85; www.elminzah.com; 85 Rue de la Liberté; d/ste fromDh1725/2450; ) The classiest five-star hotel in Tangier proper, and a local landmark, this
beautifully maintained 1930s period piece offers three excellent restaurants, three equally good
bars, a fitness centre, a spa, pleasant gardens and even a babysitting service. It’s shaped like
an enormous hollow square, with a tremendous Spanish– Moorish courtyard, and has history
oozing from its walls. Portside rooms offer beautiful views, but can be noisy when the wind is
blowing. The owner is currently restoring its sister ship, the Grand Hotel Villa de France.
SPOT THE CELEB
Sashay past the doorman at El-Minzah Hotel and glide down the stairs to the beautiful Andalusian courtyard where there are
dozens of photographs of celebrity visitors around the walls. Most of the photos date from the 1950s and ’60s. A suave Rock
Hudson, Aristotle Onassis in a white car, Jackie O too, Winston Churchill with his cigar, glitzy Rita Hayworth and even Errol
Flynn are just some that we spotted. Then head for the Caid’s Bar for a cocktail while you decide where they’ll hang your
photo.