Palais Zahia

A former bank on the Petit Socco

The Petit Socco is the central square of Tangier's medina. Before 1923, European consulates and the main banks clustered around it; in the early 20th century, four countries each had their post office there. The State Bank of Morocco, created in 1907, set up its head office on the square and stayed until 1952, when it moved to a new building outside the medina.

The square declined from the 1950s. The area has since been renovated: Palais Zahia opened in 2017 in the bank's former head office, and the Dar Niaba museum opened in the same neighbourhood in 2022. The Gran Café Central, on the north side of the square, is still there.

The hotel is named after Hajja Zahia, wife of Haj Hassan El Yassini, a native of Sebta (Ceuta) and owner of the company that runs the house. The hotel describes her as a woman known for her hospitality and community work, who led a group of women of the Allaouia Sufi order in Tangier.

Rooms that tell Tangier's story

Each room takes its name from the city's history, and its decor follows suit: Ibn Battuta, the 14th-century traveller born in Tangier; Paul Bowles, the American writer who settled in Tangier in 1947; Mohamed Choukri, the Tangier writer; Eugène Delacroix, who arrived in Tangier on 25 January 1832; Dar El Mendoub, after the Mendoubia, former seat of the sultan's representative; 9 Avril, for the square where Mohammed V made his visit of 9 April 1947; Tangerine, the fruit named after the port of Tangier, from which it was shipped; and others, Petit Socco, Dar El Baroud, Al Hambra, Culture du Monde.

Two stand out. The Sultan suite, the most ornate, has a ceiling of zouak (wood painted with Arab-Moorish patterns) and a shower lined with zellige (glazed terracotta mosaic). The Massinissa family room, named after the Berber king of Numidia, adds twin beds for children. Connecting rooms are available on request.

The rooms are decorated with carved woodwork and colourful tiles; some have a private terrace. The building has a lift, still rare in the medina.

Living the medina on foot

Location is the reason to choose Palais Zahia. From the hotel door, the Great Mosque, the American Legation, the Grand Socco and the kasbah are all within walking distance; the port and ferry terminal, with boats to Spain, are less than 15 minutes' walk away.

The house has its own Moroccan restaurant, for tagines and couscous, and a roof terrace for tea above the square. The lounge, with its library and fireplace, is a refuge on winter evenings.

The hammam and sauna run on separate hours: for women from 8:00 to 15:00, with female staff, and for men from 15:30 to 21:30, on Sundays and from Tuesday to Saturday. Massages are available daily from 8:00 to 21:30. Everything is booked through the hotel, ideally before arrival. Times are local.

Sabaro's view

Who it suits: couples and travellers who want to stay in the heart of the medina, in a small house, and explore Tangier on foot.

Strengths: the Petit Socco on the doorstep; a building full of history; carefully decorated rooms, each with its own story; a lift; a hammam; a 4.9/5 score for location on Tripadvisor.

Good to know: alcohol is neither served nor allowed; the square stays lively late and some guests report night-time noise, from both the street and the courtyard; only bank cards are accepted at reception.

Our advice: ask for a room with a terrace, pack earplugs if you are a light sleeper, and take the hotel transfer from the airport.