Habibi Hostel

The private room itself was quite nice, with a small kitchenette, separate shower, and separate toilet. But the loose toilet seat seemed to cause a bad smell that spread through the room. No towels were provided, which I’d expect even in a private hostel room. During my four nights, nobody checked or cleaned the room, and even the rubbish wasn’t taken out. I also didn’t really have anyone to contact during my stay. A few improvements to the service and upkeep would make a big difference.

My female friend and I, both with EU passports, stopped in to ask about booking a room. Our UK data wasn’t working in Morocco, and we had no Wi-Fi to book online. The receptionist rudely told me I couldn’t book without a marriage certificate. I sarcastically said the hostel was called habibi, meaning “my love,” rather than “Taliban hostel,” and that it must be painful for him to see unmarried couples staying there. He lost his temper and lectured me about Halal, Haram, and righteousness. I wondered whether he saw the hypocrisy in working somewhere that didn’t fit his beliefs.

The place is decent, close to the beach, and has a lovely terrace. The owner was nice, but some staff were extremely rude. One day, a staff member shut the kitchen because some guests had left it dirty, effectively punishing everyone instead of dealing with whoever made the mess. He was verbally aggressive about it, even though there’s a camera there and they can see who was responsible. I had a terrible experience and wouldn’t recommend it unless that person has changed.

The terrace is wonderful, comfortable, and has a great view. Adam and the owner were very friendly. Our private room beside it was roomy and clean, with a good fan. The location is fantastic, though that also means there can be quite a bit of noise, sometimes until around 2 a.m., so earplugs may help. We had reliable hot water on three of our four nights. Recommended.