Tangier, Continental Hotel Review

Overall Rating

Very spacious accomodation; friendly guests and staff. Some interesting little shops closeby.

You may be frequently awoken at night (if at the rear of the hotel) by a cockerel. Prayer starts at about 5am. To the front is a constant rumble from the port.

My trip to Tangier was based around a short tour of Gibraltar, Malaga, Tangier and Marrakech. I arrived in Gibraltar, travelling from Manchester, UK and stayed two nights at the awful Cannon (see my review of that hotel) before getting the ferry to Tangier.

I had no hotel booked but was fortunate enough to meet two British gents who live there. They suggested the Hotel Continental close to the port where the ferry docks.

For information, the exchange rate is in the region of 15 - 16 Dirhams to one English Pound or 10 Dirhams to one Euro. Do not buy on the black market as it is illegal and will get you in trouble with the authorities if discovered and in any case you may be cheated either by getting too little or getting counterfeit currency.

Taxi's are cheap but only if you get the small Peugot types which are metered and should cost no more than about 10D to go across town. Occasionally the driver will deliberately switch off the meter and overcharge but not by much.
The private taxi's are the cream coloured Mercedes which are unmetered and may charge about 80D for short journeys.

I got through the formalities of customs without incident and headed for a taxi at which point there was an argument as to which cab driver should pick me up. Anyway it was Mohammed who got the trade; I gave instructions to take me to the Coninental but he persuaded me to see another which I agreed to. It had a good perspective of Tangier but I just didn't like the place so we headed off to the Continental where I checked in. Beware, there is also a hotel called the Intercontinental which confuses some taxi drivers, tell them it is the "Continental in the Medina".

I was led to a small room on the top floor at the rear of the hotel which seemed ok. It had two beds, TV, bathroom/wc with shower attachment, power points and a panoramic view over the rooftops of the adjacent dwellings. I left my suitcase and things and went exploring until it turned dark, which was around 4:30 pm this being March. During the night it was quiet at first but then a wretched cockerel started calling every hour on the hour, luckilly I had my ear plugs. At 5 am the mosques open for business calling people to prayer. It was the same the following night. The front of the hotel faces the port which has a quiet but constant rumble throughout the night but the rooms are far superior. The rate was 390D per night. The hotel only deals in cash and not credit cards.

The hotel is reputed to have had guests such as David Malkovitch although since the port has expanded I should think no famous people stay here.

If you need a guide there is an amiable chap waiting at the gates to the hotel named Saeed, he speaks good English and can give a tour of the local area at whatever rate you deem appropriate.

If you are looking for Arab music, Rai in particular, you will find a music shop just outside the hotel compound. Turn left of the gates where there are a few shops on the right-hand side of the path, you can get some good modern popular CD's for 20D. There are also a few shops with fruit and juices so you don't have to go far.

Breakfast was coffee, croissant and bread roll with butter and jam, it was sufficient to get me through the morning. The food in the reastaurant on the ground floor is nothing special but still expensive. There are several places on the main road leading from the port which is visible from the hotel. Go out of the hotel, turn left, walk down to the first junction, turn left and your on the road, then turn fight and keep walking to the cafe's and restaurants.

If you need cash, there is no shortage of cash machines all over Morocco and for British people with Maestro cards, the commission isn't crippling. 1000 Dirhams will be equivalent to about 67GBP and the machines dispense a maximum of 2000D.

I decided to go to Marrakech for a few days so left my luggage at the Continental and packed just a few things. The journey is listed under the Hotel Tazi review if you are interested. On my return I was given a much smarter room at the front of the hotel, overlooking the port. It was much more comfortable than the room at the rear and did not cost any more than the 390D per night initially charged.

If you go at a quiet time of the year the rates are much lower and you can get a more superior room for little or no extra.

Members' Comments onjohn9159's Review

• lbart2 on 11th Sep 2005

  My Wife and I and two childs age 15 & 17 just got back from a 10-days trip to Spain Portugal Morocco and we had a great time.Spain was so relaxing. In Nerja we stayed at the Hostal Marrisal which was in the best location I think. It was right on the Balcony of Europe and the rooms were only about $40 euros/night. They even have a great restaurant that we enjoyed as well. In Nerja the caves were amazing, and the beaches were quite nice as well. Portugal/Lisbon was a incredibly fun and exciting city to visit. Our day trip from Tarifa/Spain was to Tangier/Morocco. is definitely worth the Tijuana-type experience but was a great way to end our trip! A wonderful way to expose Childrens to the wonder and fun of travel.
  
  we had the chance to have a very good guide from there: Abdel who has arranged for us everything .He made for us a tour including a deluxe transportation for 1 day for only 35 Euros per person, he also Made a reservation in a very nice restaurant at The Continental Hotel which include Andalucian music. He knows a lot about history,culture and speaks very well English...You can reach him at: 0021268702424 or Email: tangiertour@Gmail.com
  
  The Kazbah & the Sultans Palace-Harem are awesome! If you have a chance, make sure you go there. If you go by Fast/Boat Catamaran is great (35 minutes), it's a really Nice trip and you'll have plenty of time for a Visit and lunch But Do not miss to book a Tour With tangiertour the guide Abdel was excellent and well definitely worth the 35 Euros per person fee (4full day). We can't wait to go back.