Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier

A 1926 palace in a eucalyptus park

The palace dates from 1926. Fairmont describes it as the residence built for Ahmed Tazi, adviser to the sultan; its address, Ksar al-Mandoub, recalls the mendoub, the sultan's representative in Tangier during the international zone years.

The building now belongs to Katara Hospitality, a Qatari hotel group, and is run by Accor under the Fairmont brand. The firm OBMI & CCCRA Architects restored its original features to their 1920s appearance. The hotel was inaugurated at the end of 2022.

The palace stands in a 3.6-hectare park on the Boubana heights, west of the city. The century-old eucalyptus trees were kept, joined by palms, olive, citrus and pomegranate trees in the spirit of an Arab-Andalusian garden. The Michelin Guide, which includes the hotel in its selection, describes a palace of arches, parapets and marble, in gold and blue tones, where Arab-Andalusian ornament meets contemporary comfort.

That is what sets it apart from the two other Tangier addresses chosen by Sabaro: you sleep in quiet greenery and drive down into town.

Forest or panorama: choosing a room

The 133 rooms and suites face one of two ways: the eucalyptus forest, or the city, its white rooftops and the mountains beyond.

• Deluxe rooms: a terrace over the forest, or a panoramic terrace and balcony over Tangier, with a marble bathroom and sitting area. The panoramic version is the one to choose for a couple.
• Signature rooms: an 11 m² private garden in front of the room, handy with young children.
• Connecting rooms: a king room linked to a twin room, or a junior suite linked to a Deluxe room, for a family of four.
• Junior suites: separate bedroom and living room, large balcony, on the forest or city side.
• Top floor: the Signature Suite, the two-bedroom Katara suite, which measures 330 m², and a penthouse with a large terrace, all three looking over the city.

Seven restaurants and bars

The hotel has seven venues, enough to spend several evenings without going down into town.

• Crudo, built around seasonal produce, fish, meat and vegetables; it is also the breakfast room.
• Parisa, a Persian restaurant.
• Social Kitchen, open for dinner, for tagines and couscous.
• S-Lounge by Buddha-Bar, the Tangier outpost of the Paris bar-restaurant.
• Origin Bar, a cocktail bar with leather armchairs, jazz, cigars and rare spirits; some cocktails use plants from the garden.
• Innocents, a more intimate lounge with live music.
• Rose Room, for afternoon tea, scones and homemade jams.

The spa and days on site

The Fairmont Spa covers more than 2,500 m². It has ten treatment rooms, a hammam, a private spa, a solarium and a vitality pool (a relaxation pool with jets). Treatments use two brands: Swissline, a Swiss cosmetics laboratory, and marocMaroc, inspired by Moroccan beauty rituals. One package reserves the pool for women for a day with friends: 5,500 dirhams for up to eight guests, snacks included.

The main outdoor pool, in the garden, opens from April to October. A local potter runs a ceramics workshop where you learn traditional techniques and shape your own piece. In summer, a kids' club looks after younger guests.

The hotel holds the Green Key label (an international eco-label awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education): solar panels, rainwater collected to water the garden, and a gradual reduction of single-use plastic.

Sabaro's view

Who it suits: couples and families who want a large, quiet hotel with a spa and several restaurants, and who explore Tangier by car or taxi.

Strengths: the palace and its 3.6-hectare park; the panoramic rooms over the city; a 2,500 m² spa; seven restaurants and bars on site.

Good to know: the medina is a drive away; some guests find service and housekeeping uneven and prices high; the hotel also hosts conferences and receptions in its 300 m² ballroom.

Our advice: book a panoramic room, keep one evening for Origin Bar and another for dinner in town, in the medina.