Casablanca. I finally had the chance to visit this legendary Moroccan city and check out one of its premier hotels, the Hyatt Regency Casablanca.
Review: Hyatt Regency Casablanca (Casablanca, Morocco)
The Hyatt Regency, The Medina, and The Hassan II Mosque (Image courtesy of Hyatt.com)
About The Hyatt Regency Casablanca
Here is the official Hyatt promotional video.
Location
Usually, when a property states something to the effect of, “located in the heart of [insert city here]” it’s a bit of an exaggeration. Not in this case.
The Hyatt Regency Casablanca really is located smack in the heart of Casablanca.
Image courtesy of Hyatt.com
But – that doesn’t mean it’s close to “everything” or that it’s even walking distance to any major tourist spots (other than the Medina).
In fact, this part of the City is the important city center, but it’s not necessarily the safest place to explore on foot at night (although I did and it was fine) and the lack of crosswalks and street lights can make walking the streets around the hotel downright dangerous even during daytime.
Because of this, the Hyatt Regency feels like a welcome oasis inside this part of the busy, traffic-choked city.
Getting There
Casablanca is not a place for the average foreign tourist driver. The traffic there is brutal and can easily rival that of New Delhi.
Instead, take a taxi (or arrange transport through the Hyatt Regency). The ride by car will take you a minimum of about 40 minutes, and that’s assuming no traffic. If you arrive during rush hour, that time can easily grow to well over an hour.
Getting There: My Experience
As this is a review, here is my experience.
I arranged a pick-up at the airport through Hyatt. When I landed, there was nobody to pick me up. I called the hotel, they apologized and informed me to “just pay for a taxi, and we will reimburse you when you get here”. Fair enough, I thought.
When I arrived at the hotel for check-in, I notified them of the instructions I was given by the hotel staff for reimbursement of my taxi, but they said they had no idea what I was talking about.
I pleaded my case for about 5 minutes, escalating it up to a manager, before just giving up and deciding to call corporate – which I did, and I was issued 6,000 World of Hyatt points for my trouble.
The Redemption
As you can see below, four nights at the Hyatt Regency Casablanca ran about 11,516 MAD (around $1,207 USD) or about $301.75 USD a night.
As a Hyatt category 3 hotel, I was able to book the Hyatt Regency Casablanca for 12,000 points a night which is the equivalent of about 2.5 cpp.
Not bad for a Hyatt.
The Hotel Entrance & Lobby
My first impressions of the hotel, having just sat through insane traffic for an hour, was it was a polished, old-money, luxury property.
The interior was attractively decorated with marble flooring and track lighting, and there were beautiful Moroccan splashes of color and throw pillows. It was very warm and comfortable, and there were many people hanging out in the lobby (presumably post-wedding).
In fact, while I was there, I noticed several Islamic weddings and a Jewish wedding being held here. Yet, the crowds seemed to mingle just fine. This is a reminder on just how forward thinking, modern, and open Morocco is. It was a pleasure to see people from all backgrounds enjoying this hotel and its amenities.
The entrance & the security check
View of the valet driveway (and more security)
The obligatory Cartier store in the lobby
The lobby was handsome and quite plush
The Check-In
I didn’t mention my hotel transport snafu until after I was fully checked-in with my hotel key in hand. Turns out, that was a very wise decision indeed.
Image courtesy of Hyatt.com
I was warmly greeted at the front desk and thanked for my loyalty.
Without me having to ask for it, they notified me that as an Explorist member they were going to upgrade me to one of their best rooms. Now this was another nice surprise!
The front desk
They informed me that I was to be upgraded from the room I had booked, the 1 King Bed With A View, to the Regency Executive Suite.
Turns out the Regency Executive Suite goes for about $450 USD a night, so this amplified my point redemption to 3.77 cpp – awesome!
The Hallway
The hallway was slightly dated, but still upscale by Moroccan standards
The Regency Executive Suite (Upgrade)
When I entered the room, I definitely had that “wow” moment, as the suite was larger and nicer than I had expected.
View of the Hassan II Mosque from the room (Image Courtesy of Hyatt.com)
The Living Room
Table in the entrance way
Looking back at the entrance to the room
Nespresso coffee and tea bar
The Bedroom
The bedroom was large, with its own television and desk area, and a very comfortable king bed.
Proof of my electric personality? One of the lights burnt out instantly
View into the master bathroom (through the closet)
The closet
The Room Amenities
There was complimentary water and a nice selection of Nespresso coffee and tea.
Complimentary water galore
Once you go Ristretto, you never go back.
The Master Bathroom
The master bathroom was very large, well lit, with a nice layout.
This tub was huge and it came with an old-school shower hose
The shower was clean…but it did take a [long] while to warm up
Standard European Hyatt Regency bathroom toiletries
The Half-Bath
Another nice feature of the Regency Executive Suite is the half-bath in the entranceway to the room.
The View From The Room
Day or night, the views from this particular room were stunningly beautiful.
How’d you like to wake up to this? The Hassan II Mosque, the old medina, and the ocean?
Restaraunt Bissat
Breakfast is served daily at the beautifully exquisite Restaraunt Bissat.
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Breakfast under a Moorish Dome.
The Hyatt Regency Club Lounge
The Hyatt Regency Club Lounge was very nice, and key for its wonderful breakfast (although it was not without its issues).
Click here for a full review of the Hyatt Regency Casablanca’s Club Lounge.Â
Image courtesy of Hyatt.com
The Hotel Amenities
The swimming pool (Image courtesy of Hyatt.com)
The Spa (Image courtesy of Hyatt.com)
The fitness center (Image courtesy of Hyatt.com)
The fitness center (Image courtesy of Hyatt.com)
The Bottom Line Review: Hyatt Regency Casablanca (Casablanca, Morocco)
Although the Hyatt Regency Casablanca may not be the newest or nicest Hyatt Regency in the world, it may very well be the nicest hotel in Casablanca. As a category 3 hotel, this place is a steal.
Yes, it’s not conveniently located near a bunch of tourist attractions in a walkable part of the city, but I’m not sure this city even has such a location or one that is all that walkable anyways. I did feel like it was an “island hotel”, one where you rarely venture out on your own past the hotel walls and security, but what a beautiful island it was.
The hotel had everything from great bars, a worthwhile Hyatt Regency Club Lounge, the amazing restaurant “Cafe M” (which was a destination restaurant for Casablancan locals), and one of the most beautiful lobbies I’ve ever seen at a Hyatt. Because of all that, I will be returning to this hotel for my next Moroccan holiday.
Final Rating: Highly Recommended!
Cheers!
