Idou Malabata Beach & Spa

A hotel built like a ship

The Idou Malabata is the work of M'hamed Idoulahiane, a self-taught Moroccan entrepreneur from Issouder who moved to France at a young age. He started out in restaurants, in France and then Morocco, before turning to hotels; his family owns other Idou hotels in Tiznit and Casablanca.

The hotel stands in the Ghandouri tourist zone, on Tangier's eastern corniche, facing Malabata Bay. Its theme is the great explorers: the house presents itself as a ship in port, and the fig, the region's emblematic fruit, turns up in the decor and on the menu.

It is the seaside address in Sabaro's Tangier selection: the medina and kasbah are across the bay, reached by car or taxi, but the sea is right outside.

Sea or avenue: the room question

The 159 rooms and suites fall into four groups, from the classic room to the executive suite. All have a marble bathroom and a walk-in shower; rooms adapted for guests with reduced mobility are available.

What matters is the view: the classic rooms look onto the avenue, while the Deluxe Terrace rooms open onto the sea through a private terrace and, though slightly smaller, are worth the extra for a seaside stay. For a family that wants to stay together, the executive suite on the 4th and 5th floors has a separate living room and a large terrace over the sea, and sleeps two adults and two children. The hotel also offers family rooms.

From the pool to the Hemingway bar

Days are spent between the beach, the two outdoor pools and the garden. Around the water there are two venues: La Rotonda, a chiringuito (a Spanish-style beach bar) by the pool, for grills and seafood, from 11:00 to 22:30, and the Mirador Pool Bar, for salads and snacks, from 12:00 to 20:00.

In the evening there are two restaurants: Quay M35, open from noon to midnight, serves tapas with Spanish, Asian and Mediterranean influences; Dar Idou serves Moroccan food from 19:30 to 23:00. The Hemingway Cocktail Bar, a nod to the writer, has a counter shaped like a book; it opens from 9:00 to 1:00 am.

The Dos Baños spa ("two baths" in Spanish) blends Moroccan tradition with Andalusian inspiration. It opens from 11:00 to 22:00, with the last treatments starting at 20:00; appointments outside these hours must be booked 24 hours ahead, with a supplement. There is also a fitness room. Children have an indoor play area, and bikes can be hired to ride along the corniche. All times are local.

Sabaro's view

Who it suits: families and couples who want a seaside stay in Tangier, with pools and a spa, and who see the city by car or taxi.

Strengths: the sea and the strait in front of the hotel; large rooms and suites with sea-facing terraces; five restaurants and bars, open late.

Good to know: the classic rooms look onto the avenue; the hotel is recent and still has relatively few reviews; some guests mention slow service at times and expensive food; the hotel also hosts weddings and seminars, in rooms for up to 1,000 people.

Our advice: choose at least a Deluxe Terrace room for the sea view, and book a transfer or a car for days in town.