Around the World with Wes and Masami - Around the World Travelogue by Wes and Masami Heiser with Journal Photographs Expenses Lodging Guide Schedule Preparation Route

KEY

DH = Moroccan Dirham; US$ 1 = 10.68 DH

Ratings

= Excellent

"with WC" = toilet and shower/tub in room.

= Very Good

"WC" not stated = shower, toilet shared by guests.

= Good

Prices include hotel taxes.

= Fair

English spoken unless otherwise stated.

= Poor

Prices are low season prices. Summer prices are higher.

= Terrible

Boumalne du Dadès

Hôtel Adrar	Tel: 044-830355
	Int'l: +212-44-830355

Across avenue Mohammed V from the CTM bus stop.

60 DH per double room.

Friendliness

Cleanliness

Value for Money

Comments: Dusty room with bed, dresser, and sink. No rooms have private toilet or shower. Communal toilet is squat-type. Ali, the hotel manager, must light the water heater for a hot water shower. The water heater automatically extinguishes when the hot water is turned off. No heating or air conditioning. Bath towels and toilet paper are not provided.

Casablanca

Hôtel Rialto	Tel: 022-275122
	Int'l: +212-22-275122

Address: rue Salah Ben Bouchaïb. 3 min walk from city center Tourist Information.

120 DH per double room with shower and sink.

Friendliness

Cleanliness

Value for Money

Comments: Spacious room with bed, dresser, desk, telephone, bathtub and sink. Toilet is in the hall. Hot water for the shower is available for 2 hours in the morning. No heating or air conditioning. Bath towels and toilet paper are not provided.

Hôtel Touring	Tel: 022-310216
	Int'l: +212-22-310216

Address: 87 rue Allal ben Abdallah. 3 min walk from city center Tourist Information.

78 DH per double room plus 7 DH for a hot shower.

Friendliness

Cleanliness

Value for Money

Comments: Room with single and double beds, nightstand, dresser, desk, chair, and sink. Each floor has 2 sit-down toilets with toilet paper. One hot shower on the ground floor. Heating available but no air conditioning. Hand towel provided. French and Arabic a little bit of English are spoken.

Erfoud

Hôtel Merzouga	Tel: 055-576532
	Int'l: +212-55-576532

On avenue Mohammed V in the center of town, 1 block from the Post Office.

80 DH per double room with WC.

Friendliness

Cleanliness

Value for Money

Comments: Room with double bed, dresser, desk, sink, and WC with hot shower and sit-down toilet. Bath towels not provided but toilet paper is. No heating or air conditioning. This hotel hasn't raised its prices even with listings in the Lonely Planet and Japanese "Chi-kyu no Arikikata" guides and continues to be one of the best hotel values in Morocco. Only French and Arabic are spoken.

Fès

Hôtel Cascade	Tel: 055-638442
	Int'l: +212-55-638442

Near the Bab Bou Jeloud gate into the Medina.

100 DH per double room.

Friendliness

Cleanliness

Value for Money

Comments: Room with double and single beds, dresser, and table. The single hot shower on the 2nd floor servers all guest rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the hotel. Each floor has 2 bucket-flush squat-type toilets. No heating or air conditioning. Bath towels and toilet paper are not provided. The location is good since it's within the Medina and only a few minutes walk to the main bus station for buses to other cities. Only French and Arabic are spoken.

Marrakech

Hôtel Afriquia	Tel: 044-442403
	Int'l: +212-44-442403

Address: 45 Sidi Bouloukat. 200 meters south of the Place Djemaa el-Fna market.

100 DH per double room; 150 DH per double room with WC.

Friendliness

Cleanliness

Value for Money

Comments: Colorfully wall-tiled room with bed, desk, closet, and sink. In-room bathroom has a sink, water heater, and a bucket-flush squat toilet with shower spout above. Common toilets are also bucket-flush squat type. Common shower is in a separate room. Hotel atrium is colorfully tiled with orange trees growing in the center. Clothes lines for guest use are on the top balcony overlooking the city. Bath towels and toilet paper are not provided. No heating or air conditioning. Beds in several rooms including room 16 have bed bugs.

Meknès

Hôtel Regina	Tel: 055-530280
	Int'l: +212-55-530280

50 meters from the Post Office in the Medina on rue Dar Smen.

90 DH per double room plus 5 DH for a hot shower.

Friendliness

Cleanliness

Value for Money

Comments: Room with double bed, nightstand, dresser, desk, chair, and sink. Each floor has a hot shower and 2 bucket-flush squat-type toilets. No heating or air conditioning. Bath towels and toilet paper are not provided. Only French and Arabic are spoken.

Merzouga

Auberge Soleil Bleu	Tel: 055-577645
	Int'l: +212-55-577645
	Mobile: 061-351688
	Int'l: +212-61-351688
email: soleilbleumerzouga@caramail.com

In the middle of the desert. Telephone Hassan to be picked up from Erfoud.

70 DH per double room.

Friendliness

Cleanliness

Value for Money

Comments: Adobe building with sleeping in private rooms, outdoor tents, dorm-style common room, or roof. Private room has single bed, double bed, and desk. Common hot water shower and sit-down-type toilet are in a separate structure 10 meters away. Bath towels are not provided but toilet paper is. No heating or air conditioning, and electricity comes from a gasoline generator run for about 2 hours in the evening. Room candles are provided. Telephone Hassan's mobile phone in advance to arrange transportation and to get directions to Erfoud. Hassan is honest and reliable, and he doesn't work with the hustlers in Erfoud who may try to convince you that Auberge Soleil Bleu is closed. Beware of Hassan's younger brother Ali who will inflate prices and try to mislead you - he's normally a carpet salesman but sometimes comes to the auberge.

Ouarzazate

Hôtel Baba	Tel: 044-882532
	Int'l: +212-44-882532

Next to the main bus station (gare routiére).

80 DH per double room; 100 DH per double room with WC.

Friendliness

Cleanliness

Value for Money

Comments: Spacious room with double and single bed, dresser, desk, and bathroom with hot water shower, toilet and sink. Room has heating and air conditioning. Bath towels and toilet paper not provided.

Todra Gorge

Hôtel Les Roches	Tel: 045-895134
	Int'l: +212-45-895134

In the gorge, 200 meters after the last local mini-van stop where the river crosses the road.

150 DH per double room with WC including breakfast for 2.

Friendliness

Cleanliness

Value for Money

Comments: Situated between 300 meter crags of the Todra Gorge, the setting of this hotel is ideal. Clean, spacious rooms have double and single bed, dresser, desk, and bathroom with hot water shower, toilet and sink. No heating or air conditioning. Bath towels and toilet paper are included. Electric generator stops around 23:00. Bring a flashlight.