13 Best Hotels in Tangier and the Mediterranean, Morocco

This elegant town house has been sensitively transformed into a tranquil haven amid the mayhem of the medina, with light-filled rooms (named after notable kasbah visitors) that have been individually decorated in exquisite French fabrics and antiques. The spacious en suite bathrooms all come with tubs and smooth tadlak (waterproof plaster) walls. Breakfast—consisting of delicious French pastries, Moroccan breads, and more—is served on the rooftop terrace, where the spectacular view stretches out over the medina and down to the sweeping curve of the bay. The owner, Aziz, is supremely knowledgeable about the city and is happy to offer travel advice in six languages.

Restoring this riad was a labor of love for the well-traveled Moroccan owner, and he's met his own high standards with the clean, contemporary look here. Pops of color and original artwork decorate the rooms, and every detail has been considered, right down to the handcrafted argan-oil toiletries. Nothing is too much trouble for the friendly staff, from helping you up the hill with your luggage to arranging tours. A long, leisurely breakfast on the roof terrace comes with stellar views over the blue-hued medina. There’s no proper restaurant, but order the modern Moroccan three-course set dinner in advance, and it’ll be one of the best you have anywhere.

At the highest point of the kasbah, this light, bright riad is stylishly decorated in Belle Époque–meets–Moroccan style, with vintage finds, large parlor palms, black-and-white checkered floors, atmospheric lanterns, and colorful carpets. The roof terrace is an ideal place to enjoy a delicious full breakfast as you gaze across the ocean to Spain, or just tea and pastries whenever you desire. To relax even more, you can have a massage at the tadelakt cellar hammam. Set around the courtyard, some rooms have ocean views. The hotel can prepare afternoon tea, and dinner if ordered in advance.

Tucked into a quiet corner of the medina, this lovely guesthouse meanders over several ancient riads. Rooms are spacious and simple, with tiled floors, whitewashed walls, and pops of color from hand-crafted rugs, throws, and artwork. Some rooms come with private terraces but there’s no shortage of laid-back lounging space on the numerous plant-filled patios and terraces, where you can dine alfresco and take in the spectacular sunsets. There’s even a rooftop plunge pool to cool off in. 

With two separate locations run by the same owner, these two riad complexes offer gorgeous decor and true Moroccan hospitality. Dar Baibou consists of three adjoining riads, where you'll find individually decorated suites and common areas you could lounge in all day, warmed by the fireplace in winter. Decorations are culled from the best of local crafts. The rooftop terrace is a tranquil oasis, with handwoven carpets, richly covered banquettes, and lantern lights in the evenings. Just down the street, Casa Hassan is a 350-year-old family home turned traditional restaurant offering a choice of tagines, slow-roasted meats, and succulent chicken dishes, all served from a bright-tiled open kitchen. There are a handful of guest rooms upstairs.

In the heart of the medina and boasting 360-degree views, this charming inn (the name means "House of Light") is partly built right on the kasbah's western ramparts. At times, you may believe you're climbing an M.C. Escher stairway in and out of the three historic houses that make up the property, which the French owners have tastefully decorated with a mix of antiques, local art, and crafts. Breakfast on the roof terrace is a delight, and in the evening it turns into a hip bar; try the cocktail du jour, perhaps a mint-filled mojito, as you watch the sun set over the medina's jumble of rooftops.

Built in the 1930s, one of Tangier's most iconic hotels has faded somewhat (despite a recent renovation) but still offers beautiful gardens, a large swimming pool, several restaurants, a bar, and a stunning courtyard lined with photos of celebrity visitors. It's in the new town, just a short walk from the medina. Decorated in Moorish style, the spacious guest rooms are adorned with rich fabrics, brass, and traditional Moroccan tables, pottery, and artwork.

One of Tangier's first hotels, Hotel Continental was built in 1870 to house a British diplomat, but it has made some changes since then, adding Moroccan arches and other decorative flourishes, and while its heyday has long since past, it's still imbued with a certain nostalgic charm. The yellowing pages of the 19th-century guestbook refer to other notable residents—Degas, Winston Churchill, and the Beat poets among them, and Bertolucci's Sheltering Sky was partly filmed here. While rooms border on austere, you can relax in a variety of ornate parlors, reading rooms, and sunrooms or on the open patio overlooking the port. Rooms 108 and 208 have the best views of the bobbing boats.

Just outside the medina, the basic Hotel Parador was originally built in the 1920s as the Spanish governor's house. It is worth stopping in if only to see the stunning views from the terrace or the gorgeously audacious wall-sized painting depicting "Moroccan social life" by the Casablanca artist Ahmed Louardiri; it was painted during a month-long residency in the hotel in the 1960s and is now displayed in the lobby. Guest rooms are comfortable yet plain, and many feature views. You can relax by the pool from June through August.

While the rooms have little in the way of real Tangerine style, this hotel does have a somewhat nostalgic feel to it, thanks to its splendid 1950s-era lobby and the eclectic blend of furnishings and artwork found throughout. The central location—smack dab in the heart of the Ville Nouvelle—and its Blue Pub, a bar with an outdoor patio, makes it a good all-around choice. It's popular, so reservations are well advised.

With the intimacy of a guesthouse and the comforts of a luxe boutique hotel, every art-filled room is individually decorated, with balconies looking out over the gorgeous gardens with a flash of the Mediterranean in the distance. Enjoy the sun-soaked roof terrace and the cozy living room overlooking the green-tiled swimming pool. A small reading space has plenty of books and a piano, and the friendly staff will make you feel at home.  

A reliable option in Ceuta, this aging grande dame is conveniently located on the main square. You can glimpse views of the well-maintained garden, the changeable sea, or the plaza itself. Rooms are simple but comfortable and mostly modern (meaning from the 1960s); they're a good size, though the decor is certainly not as striking as that in the public areas.

Al Hoceima's grand old hotel has contemporary rooms and bungalows for guests to choose from. All are sparsely decorated, with wood furniture details and quiet artwork. At the north end of town, you're just steps from the stairs down to the beach and port as well as from Place Mohammed VI and its accompanying festivals and action. Breakfast is served on the terrace in fine weather, and many of the rooms have lovely sea views.