Dar El Kasbah

A decent spot for a quick overnight stop while passing through. The neighborhood felt a little sketchy, and carrying lots of luggage up the stairs is a workout, so ask for a lower floor. Breakfast was decent, with the usual breads, pastries, and egg, plus coffee, tea, or orange juice.

The location is really good, close to the Kasbah and the rest of Tanger, and the decor inside is nice. But the aircon drains into the shower, leaving it and the walls damp all the time, and the bathroom had a strong smell. One staff member was very good, while the others didn't seem to know what was going on. There's a lot of stairs to climb, and the hotel's restaurant and bar can get noisy.

Dar El Kasbah sits at the edge of the Medina on Rue de la Kasbah/Rue d'Italie, down the hill from one of the Kasbah entrances. It's a good, clean, well-run hotel in an impressive colonial-style building, though it isn't large. There's no elevator, so you may want to ask for a lower-floor room. Guests say the breakfasts are impressive. The adjacent restaurant, La Terrace, is a pleasant spot to eat outside under umbrellas and take in the sun and old Tangier atmosphere. Rates are very reasonable, the receptionist and other employees are friendly, courteous, and helpful, and the WiFi connection is strong.

The hotel puts you right at the market, so it's a prime location if you enjoy the bustle. The decor feels dated rather than period, and the café next door came straight through the windows. They really need new soundproof glass unless you can sleep through a storm. I checked out after one night instead of two, and the staff kindly charged me for just that night. Maybe they understood, or took pity on me.