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Casablanca may not attract as many visitors each year as Marrakesh or Fez, but Morocco’s largest city is nevertheless well worth exploring if you have the time. Some come to admire the White City’s Mauresque architecture (a unique blend of French Art Deco and Moorish styles), while others come to enjoy the surf and sun of Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Above all, Casablanca stands out for its cosmopolitan nature and wealth of restaurants, bars, and retail outlets. Visitors are spoiled for choice in terms of places to stay, too, with options ranging from boutique guest houses to 5-star hotels owned by internationally recognized luxury brands. Here’s our pick of the best options across 10 different categories.
Best Overall: Barceló Anfa Casablanca
Courtesy of Barceló Anfa Casablanca
ADDRESS
44 Bd d'Anfa, Casablanca 20000, Morocco
PHONE +212 520-009000
5-star Barceló Anfa Casablanca stands out for its ideal location in the city center, within easy reach of top attractions in the Old Medina and the upscale Gauthier district. The decor is a contemporary take on Art Deco elegance, with a neutral palette enlivened by splashes of regal gold, blue, and green. All rooms come with a mini-bar, free Wi-Fi, and a luxurious en-suite bathroom. Some have balconies, while Presidential Suites spoil with a hot tub and private terrace. In between sightseeing adventures, sample reinvented Moroccan cuisine at the on-site restaurant, take a dip in the outdoor pool, or treat yourself to a spa massage. Rates start at $85 per night
Best Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca
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ADDRESS
Boulevard de la Corniche, Casablanca, Morocco
PHONE +212 5290-73700
For those that want to escape the hubbub of the city center, Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca is an ultra-luxurious choice located on a hillside overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Lalla Meryem Beach and El Hank Lighthouse are within easy walking distance, while Hassan II Mosque is a few minutes’ drive away. The hotel itself is an intriguing blend of historic and contemporary architectural influences, while all rooms and suites boast a private balcony with ocean or garden views. Spend your downtime indulging in a ceremonial hammam experience at the spa, or lounging poolside in a private cabana. You can dine by the pool too, at Latitude 33 restaurant; although the real culinary highlight is signature Mediterranean and seafood venue Bleu. Rates start at $330 per night.
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Best Budget: ibis Casablanca Nearshore
Courtesy of ibis Casablanca Nearshore Hotel3 stars
ADDRESS
Parcelle F Zone Casanearshore, Casablanca 20190, Morocco
PHONE +212 5224-93232
If affordability is your top priority, the ibis Casablanca Nearshore offers clean, comfortable accommodation that leaves plenty of room in your budget for enjoying the city. It’s conveniently located between Mohammed V International Airport and the city center, and is ideal for those with business at Casa Nearshore Park. Planning on hiring a car? The hotel has two private car parks. Better yet, all 128 rooms come with air-conditioning, an en-suite bathroom, TV, and free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is an all-you-can-eat buffet that fills you up for the day so that you can save money on lunch and dinner; while the on-site restaurant serves tasty wok-style cuisine in a contemporary, light-filled setting. Rates start at $60 per night.
Best Boutique: Le Casablanca Hotel
Courtesy of Le Casablanca Hotel
ADDRESS
19 Bd Moulay Rachid, Casablanca 20660, Morocco
PHONE +212 5226-49797
With 59 rooms and nine suites, Le Casablanca Hotel is a boutique option that gives guests the intimate atmosphere and personalized service of a private residence. It’s located in a leafy residential area, within a 10-minute drive of La Corniche and the trendy bars and restaurants of Gauthier. A beautifully landscaped garden complete with a fountain and swimming pool adds to your sense of having found an oasis of peace in the city center, while the Art Deco architecture includes black-and-white marble floors and crystal chandeliers. In each room, you'll find an Italian marble bathroom, mini-bar, and Nespresso machine. Other stand-out amenities include a beautiful spa with a traditional hammam; and a choice of six restaurants and bars. Rates start at $220 per night.
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Best for Romance: Hôtel Le Doge Relais & Châteaux
Courtesy of Relais & Châteaux
ADDRESS
9 Rue Dr Veyre, Casablanca 20250, Morocco
PHONE +212 5224-67800
Hôtel Le Doge has an enviable location close to Mohammed V Square and the Central Marketplace. It’s also one of the best choices for couples on a romantic getaway, thanks to the lavish opulence of its Art Deco styling—which includes plenty of red velvet and gilded furnishings. For the most atmospheric sleeping arrangements, choose a suite with a four-poster king bed, a private terrace, and a bathroom with a tub and his ’n’ hers vanities. Dinners at Le Jasmine are a sensual homage to traditional Moroccan cuisine, served in a beautiful, candlelit dining room. Celebrate a special anniversary with a visit to Petit Spa with its hammam and steam baths. Rates start at $147.50 per night.
Best B&B: Dar Diafa
ADDRESS
45 lot Lina Sidi Maarouf, Casablanca 20000, Morocco
PHONE +212 661-324824
Situated on the outskirts of central Casablanca, Dar Diafa is a great fit for those who want to stay in an authentic, intimate setting. The B&B is housed in a traditional Moroccan residential home with just four bedrooms, all of which are beautifully furnished with period antiques. The included breakfast is a spread of Moroccan breads, jams, juices, and coffee; and when you don’t feel like venturing into the city, you can order classic French and Moroccan cuisine at the restaurant for dinner. Other amenities include an outdoor pool and a garden with a beautiful terrace. Rates start at $70 per night.
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Best for Business: Hyatt Regency Casablanca
Courtesy of Hyatt Regency Casablanca
ADDRESS
Pl. des Nations Unies, Casablanca 20000, Morocco
PHONE +212 5224-31234
Ideally located in the city center on Place des Nations Unies, Hyatt Regency Casablanca has established a reputation as one of Casa’s best choices for business travelers. Essential amenities include a business center and complimentary Wi-Fi, while those with meetings to organize can take advantage of the hotel’s excellent event facilities. These include indoor and outdoor venues with a maximum capacity of 1,000 guests, while meeting planners and catering teams are on-hand to ensure that everything runs seamlessly. All rooms come with ample workspace and a laptop-sized safe as well as a 40-inch TV and a Simmons Beautyrest bed. When you’re not working, explore the hotel’s spa, fitness center, and a bevy of excellent bars and restaurants. Rates start at $195 per night
Best for Extended Stays: Melliber Appart Hotel
Courtesy of Melliber Appart Hotel
ADDRESS
138 Boulevard Moulay Youssef, J938+QXM, Angle Rue Tiznit, Bd Moulay Youssef, Casablanca 20200, Morocco
PHONE +212 5224-96496
If you’re planning on being in Casablanca for more than a few days, choose the Melliber Appart Hotel for all the comforts of home. Located close to Hassan II Mosque and La Corniche, the hotel offers a range of studios and suites with spacious living areas and either a kitchenette or fully equipped kitchen. Being able to self-cater gives you the freedom to save money and dine on your own schedule, and is also a great option for families with kids. All room categories come with satellite TV and free Wi-Fi, and breakfast is also included in your rate. Other useful amenities include a cafe, a grocery store where you can stock up on essentials, secure parking, and laundry facilities. Rates start at $70 per night.
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Best Views: Kenzi Tower Hotel
Courtesy of Kenzi Tower Hotel
ADDRESS
Twin Center, Bd Mohamed Zerktouni, Casablanca 21000, Morocco
PHONE +212 5229-78000
Surrounded by fashionable coffee shops, bars, and restaurants in Casablanca’s Gauthier district, Kenzi Tower Hotel is known for its panoramic city views. It occupies the 28-story B Tower of the Twin Center and offers 237 rooms and suites all with spectacular vistas. Some of the best views are to be had from Sens fine dining restaurant on the 27th floor and from the 28th-floor SKY 28 bar—one of the most sought-after hotel bars in the city. From both venues, the Atlantic Ocean shimmers in the distance, punctuated by the minaret of Hassan II Mosque. The hotel also boasts a full-service spa complete with an indoor pool and fitness center. Rates start at $140 per night.
Best Themed: Art Palace Suites & Spa
Courtesy of Art Palace Suites & Spa
ADDRESS
Boulevard d'Anfa (En Face du restaurant DIWAN)، Art Palace Suites Hotel & Spa, 4 Rue du Soldat Maurice Ben Hammou, Dar-el-Beida 20050, Morocco
Also located in the Gauthier district, Art Palace Suites & Spa is an opulently decorated boutique hotel with 25 themed suites. Each one draws its inspiration from a different era or historical figure and is decorated accordingly. Choose the Marilyn Monroe suite, for example, and find yourself in a glamorous world of red, black, and white furnishings adorned with classic photographs of the screen icon. The William Shakespeare suite channels timeless British elegance, while the Scheherazade suite is a fantasy of draped fabrics in shades of gold and plum. The hotel also has its own spa and hammam, a restaurant with live Arabic performers six days a week, and a beautiful Moroccan lounge with tiled walls and a sculpted plaster ceiling. Rates start at $130 per night.