Review of Hotel Continental 3*

The Hotel Continental was one of the first luxury hotels in Tangier when it opened in 1870. Ships could dock nearby and smaller boats would bring guests to some steep stairs and then they would walk up to the hotel's entrance. Back in the 1980s, I had a friend whose mother lived in a house on Dar Baroud, directly overlooking this hotel, and there is a wonderful view of both the port and the ocean. I also have a friend from California who used to rent a room by the month, for three months, so he could write, and his room always had a fabulous ocean view. But the manager who arranged a long-term rate retired, and I don't think the hotel does this any more, which is a shame. The entire hotel used to be very cheap 30 years ago, but since there are now many daily fast ferries from Tarifa direct to Tangier, there are suddenly more tourists who want to stay overnight rather than just spending a few hours walking around the Medina and the city. The rooms in the back don't have much of a view and are not the best. But they and the rest of the hotel are very quiet and relaxing. I think the hotel was furnished better years ago, but the owner has now spruced up the rooms and some have antiques and most have baths with hot water only at specific times. Apparently many of the rooms now have heating and air-conditioned so it is possible to stay here in the winter and be comfortable. Personally, I would only stay here if I liked the Medina since it can be a bit ominous at night wandering around Dar Baroud. I have other friends who live in Tangier and they say that the main restaurant serves excellent food and is worth eating in. It opens for dinner at 7:30 PM. There is a large terrace with view of the port and city beach in front of the hotel where breakfasts are served. In 1988, the Bernardo Bertolucci film version of Paul Bowles' famous novel The Sheltering Sky, was filmed in Tangier, and a restaurant scene was made here, and many members of the large film crew stayed here. Although I have never stayed in the Hotel Continental, I have always wanted to do so. The place is a part of history in Tangier and the lobby is amazing. There is also a large gift shop and apparently there is a museum somewhere nearby that was added as a tourist attraction.