I stayed here back in June 2006, clean hotel, great service, they have a good restaurant and easy to access. As it was 6 years since i was there i hope it still has the same feel as it did back then. Compared to other hotels i have stayed in and around Europe its one of the best and well worth the stay. You are not too far away from the train station which is a good thing and some great restaurants around as well.

Rabat is surprisingly laid back for a capital and a treat for a couple of days. 15 years have passed since my last visit and the Balima remains a favourite. Well placed for the main station and its new tramway system, as well as a walking distance to the principal points of interest, or an 8 -15 dhrs petit taxi to the beach.

Service can be moody at breakfast but if you inject a little humour and a touch of tourist arabic, a change can come about - and on day two my effort was rewarded with a warm msimmen (not provided to the other tables). My generous sized front facing room had a spectacular view and I slept well both nights.

I have stayed here twice now and have been satisfied both times. The Grand Old dame of rabat hotels is getting worn and faded, but still has enough going for it.
The Good: LOCATION ! It is literally a 5 min. walk from the train station. We walked everywhere we wanted to go within 20-25 min ( medina, kasbah, mausoleum, harbour, palace). If you want mid 20th centuryFrench colonial charm, it still has it. We always found the staff to be friendly and helpful. Our rooms were clean and the maids would cheerfully get us extra towels etc if we needed them . Free wifi was a bonus. The shaded terrace out front is a great place to have tea and people watch. The price is still reasonable ( approx $60 USD for a double)
The not-so-good: ( maybe) The noise from the nightclub ( especially on weekends) can be a bit overwhelming.

1997 was our first stay. We stayed several other times since, but April 2012 will be our last at the Balima when we return to Rabat, unless the owners invest heavily to bring the quality and service of this property up to 21st Century international hotel service standard.
The location on Mohaamed V- Ave and 5 minutes walk from the Rabat Ville Rail station, plus easy walk to the Medina and new marina, are the things which made us reluctantly kept staying at the Balima.
Our experience is like a partner who is constantly abused by his/her spouse, but keep going back for more of the same bad treatment. That is fact with the Balima. I should know. I have stayed at many hotels in Morocco and around the world in the last 10 years, plus I used to operate an accommodation rental in Europe. I know what it takes to provide guests with QUALITY SERVICE in the 21st Century. They have told me in their comments and feedback.
If you like a heavy, cigarette polluted smoking environment from the reception and on every floor, then stay at the Balima.
If you like the same dry, crusty bread and crossiants, plus diluted orange squash drink every morning for breakfast- then the Balima is for you.
If you want dirty carpets in your room, poor daily cleaning of your room, beddings that have not been replaced since at least 1997, then the Balima is for you.
If you want noisy people all night outside in the street till about 3am every night, plus the sound of club music from the club next door, especially at weekends, then the Balima is for you.
If you want unfriendly staff (except Hassan- a seasoned professional)- then the Balima is for you. But Hassan works only during the day time hours.
If you are only staying 1 night and you need to get to the train station within 5 minutes by walking, or to see the heart of Rabat in 1 day- then the Balima is for you.