The Best Hotels in Casablanca

Casablanca Hotels

With an interesting blend of traditional Moorish style, and newer, contemporary buildings, Casablanca is a fascinating city with a rich history. Its former occupation by the French in the 1930s means there's a strong Art Deco influence, and some parts of the city have a European vibe. Casablanca also has the advantage of being on the coast, with quiet, sandy beaches, and long stretches of clear waters.

Things to see

Hassan II Mosque looks out over the choppy seas, and stands prominently as you stroll along the seafront. Despite being a new build, dating back to the 1980s, every detail has been carefully designed, with marble columns, glass chandeliers, and intricate mosaic tiling in the traditional Moroccan style. The perfectly polished prayer hall is on the ground floor, and with its large windows you can enjoy a spectacular sea view. If this gives you a taste for Moorish design, then the Old Medina is the perfect place to pick up some souvenirs of your trip, and through the winding halls you'll find market stalls piled with textiles, food, colourful slippers, and many handcrafted, locally made goods. By contrast, the glass-fronted Morocco Mall shows the best of the city's contemporary design, and inside this unique, oval shaped building you'll find upmarket boutiques, restaurants, and unique architectural features such as the giant circular aquarium at the heart of the mall.

Hotels in Casablanca

Casablanca has many impeccably designed hotels close to the city centre, and these contemporary properties offer features such as outdoor pools with cabanas, full service spas, and steam rooms. Those visiting the area for work will enjoy business centres with meeting rooms and conference facilities, as well as WiFi and car services. Many of the larger hotels have a choice of restaurants, as well as bars and coffee shops, and you could even enjoy the sunset from a rooftop terrace. Guestrooms are also well-appointed, with plenty of extras, from LCD televisions, to coffee makers, and hypo-allergenic bedding to ensure a comfortable night's sleep.

Where to stay

To the north of the city you'll find the city's beaches, with golden sands and clear blue seas, and along the seafront you'll find many of the modern hotels, malls, and restaurants that Casablanca is so proud of. Casablanca Marina is also a newer development, with shiny high rise buildings, luxury yachts coming in to dock, and upmarket shops and restaurants along the waterfront. Many visitors come for the Art Deco architecture, and the Quartier Habous which was built by the French in the 1930s has some of the most picturesque examples. You'll find archways covered in mosaics, and bazars selling handmade rugs, with winding streets that you'll need a map to negotiate.

How to get to Casablanca

Mohammed V International Airport is the busiest airport in Morocco, and has flights arriving daily from around the world. The airport is about 30 kilometres south of Casablanca, with many people choosing to take a taxi, or to use the local buses that get you into the centre in about an hour. There's also a train station at the airport, with regular services to Casablanca Voyageurs, the main station in the city, and this takes only half an hour. This station also has regular services to Marrakech, Tanger, and other major cities in Morocco, allowing you to get around the country cheaply and quickly.