Built in 1930 by an Irish lord, this Hispano-Moorish landmark has hosted Winston Churchill, Rita Hayworth and generations of writers drawn to Tangier's crossroads of cultures.
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Overview
Ninety-Five Years of Golden Age
Established in 1930 by Lord Bute, El Minzah has stood at the heart of Tangier through the city's most storied decades, hosting royalty, artists and writers of the International Zone era.
During the 1950s and 60s, when Tangier was a magnet for writers and intellectuals escaping the constraints of the Western world, El Minzah became a favoured meeting place, its guest list eventually including Rita Hayworth, Rock Hudson and Winston Churchill. The building's Hispano-Moorish architecture pairs distinctive red-tiled roofs with intricate tilework and graceful arches, reflecting the Andalusian heritage running through Tangier itself. Today's 140 rooms and suites retain the old-world charm of exposed wood, heavy curtains and vintage photographs, set around a mosaic-tiled interior courtyard fountain, while modern comforts and three restaurants keep the hotel firmly in service for today's travellers.
A gateway between the medina and the new city. El Minzah's position places it between Tangier's old and new towns, within walking distance of the medina, the Kasbah Museum and the American Legation Museum.
140
Rooms & Suites
1930
Hotel Established
17
Suites
2
Swimming Pools
Rooms
Old-World Charm, Modern Comfort
Rooms are decorated in traditional Moroccan style, many overlooking the gardens, courtyard, or the Bay of Tangier and the Mediterranean beyond.
Deluxe Room — Bay of Tangier View
01
Classic Rooms25 square metre rooms with king or twin beds, decorated in beautiful Moroccan style across the hotel's first, second and third floors.
02
Suites with Bay ViewsSeventeen suites offer additional space and, in many cases, views over the gardens, courtyard, or the Bay of Tangier and Mediterranean.
03
True Arabesque DetailingCarved woodwork, oriental carpets and arched doorways run throughout the hotel, gracefully maintained since the building's original 1930 construction.
04
Air-Conditioned ComfortRooms are air-conditioned throughout with modern amenities layered carefully into the hotel's historic architecture.
Experiences
A City of Writers and Legends
El Minzah's central position makes it a natural base for exploring Tangier's medina, its literary history and its meeting of Mediterranean and Atlantic waters.
Nearby
Tangier Medina & Kasbah
A UNESCO-recognised medina and the historic Kasbah, both a short walk from the hotel's front doors.
Literary
American Legation Museum
A five-minute walk brings guests to the museum chronicling Tangier's role as a haven for writers like Paul Bowles and William S. Burroughs.
Wellness
El Minzah Wellness Center
A generous menu of massage treatments, a sauna, Turkish bath and indoor pool round out the hotel's spa offering.
Evenings
Caid's Piano Bar
Late-night drinks in a bar steeped in the hotel's storied past, alongside old celebrity photographs and rich red carpeting.
Culture
Museum of Moroccan Arts
A short trip from the hotel offers insight into the country's rich artistic and craft heritage.
Beach
Tangier Beach
Distant sea views from the hotel give way to the beach itself, a short drive away.
Dining
Belly Dancing & Mint Tea
El Minzah's three restaurants range from a lively Moroccan dinner with live music to a European menu and a well-stocked wine bar steeped in the hotel's history.
01El Korsan, for authentic Moroccan dishes and evening entertainment
02El Erz, for a large breakfast buffet on a beautiful terrace
03The Wine Bar, for cocktails among celebrity photographs
04Misbah Club, for poolside lunch and live music
El Korsan — Moroccan Dinner & Music
Location
Between the Medina and the New City
El Minzah sits in the heart of Tangier, walkable to the medina, Grand Socco and the city's historic sites, with distant views of the Bay of Tangier.
A three-minute walk to St. Andrew's Church and a twelve-minute walk to the Kasbah Museum.
Roughly a six-minute drive to Tangier's public beach and the Port of Tangier.
Located between Tangier's old medina and its newer, more cosmopolitan streets.
A 25-minute drive from Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport.
Fly
Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport is roughly 25 minutes from the hotel by car.
Walk
The medina, Grand Socco and Kasbah are all within easy walking distance.
Combine
Tangier's ferry connections to Spain make El Minzah a natural stop on a wider Mediterranean itinerary.
A Living Legend
Ninety-Five Years of Guests
From Winston Churchill to today's travellers, El Minzah has hosted nearly a century of guests drawn to Tangier's singular character.