Stumbling into the Riad Tanja one hot September evening, just off the boat from Spain, I could not help but be amazed by the atmosphere and friendly staff.

The dining room views are amazing and the food in the restaurant is fantastic - always seems to be arriving on the table as if you are part of a greater feast.

Location, staff, food, lodging all are excellent.

I only wish I had more time to spend in this hidden oasis.

David K

This riad deserves to be no. 1 on the Tanger list. As far as riads in Morocco go, this one is definitely amongst the best in terms of the ambiance that it offers, perfect location and value for money. But what is most priceless that you dont get even in many established institutions is the exemplary service. I rate the service 7-stars! More about that later.

The riad is actually not difficult to spot at all. It is located within the medina very close to its southern gate. There are clear signs pointing you to the right direction from the gate that it would be ridiculous to get lost. In any event, either the taxi driver or someone from the riad could assist you. Once you are accustomed to its orientation, you would appreciate how perfect the location really is.It is practically next to the American legation Museum. It is within walking distance to the port and the wide promenades along the beach, as well as the Grand and Petite Succo, where you would invariably gravitate to for people watching as well as suprising great shopping.

The rooms of the riad is of a generous size and is very well appointed. The interior decor is pleasantly moroccan as to be expected from a riad. It has a beautiful brass lamp above the king sized bed which is very comfortable.There is a day bed near the window of my room for you to rest and enjoy the view of the market scene nearby or where you could park your luggage. There are also sofas and a coffee table in front of the small TV which has a satellie connection. This is in fact the only riad that I have stayed at which provides such in-room entertainment facility (not that you need any when you are in Maroc).

The attached bathroom is quite spacious and they provide you with toiletries. Unlike other reviewers here, I had absolutely no problems with the water heater. The management must have rectified whatever problem it was.

Do not miss the dinner at the charming restaurant at the riad. The restaurant is regarded as one of the best in Tanger and rightly so. The chef is somewhat of a maverick, trained in the culinary art of the french in the Continent but he has returned home to inject vigour and update the classic moroccan dishes. The result is not a fusion experiment but an enhancement of and a most refreshing take on the richness and variety that the Moroccan kitchen has to offer. Dinner here comes in a set of courses and it will most certainly delight the connoissuer in you. The quality compares well with the best of Fes or Casablanca. Dont forget to tip the solitary oud player who provides you with soothing background music while you dine. He would greatly appreciate it.

The restaurant has a charming ambiance both in the day and the evening. I agree with the other reviewer here that even breakfast is wonderful. You get a spread of delicious jams and a selection of pastries as well as moroccan bread. The soft boiled egg comes with the yolk a perfect orange and semi hard. Even the yoghurt (which appears to be made in-house in a petite glass container) is delicious.

But what makes this riad shines and sets it apart from many is the exemplary service that you get from the staff. Service is warm and always with a smile. You will notice this from the minute you step into the riad. English is spoken and the attitude is always can do. They will deliver a generous plate of fruit to your room and offer you mint tea. I had a special request to wrap some zuellige tiles I bought in the medina with plastic bubbles. A member of the staff went out of his way to purchase them for me and provided me with all the necessary paraphernalia to help me with the packing. He even gave me a receipt and returned me the change. I am sure he would have helped me with the packing if I asked! You will notice that in the evenings, the staff/manager also doubles as the waiters at the restaurant. The dedication of the staff to ensure that your stay is enjoyable and perfect clearly shows. In fact a number of them have been working with the riad owner for years. Kudos to the management!

I recommend this riad highly. I believe there is no better place to stay in Tanger than Riad Tanja. I will most definitely return.

A lovely riad and one of the best stays we experienced in Maroc. With all the new sounds, smells, & sights Maroc has to offer this is a little gem of a place. Sweet hospitality and just an overall pleasant experience. Nice ambiance! Hosts tended to all our needs. Highly recommended. Booked at: [--]

This was the most amazing hotel I have ever stayed in! The hotel is just a short walk from the port. You don't need to take a taxi but if you aren't familiar with the area I would suggest it because it is a tad confusing. We were the only ones staying in the hotel that night and the service was amazing. A hotel like this in the US would have cost well over $500 a night! The rooms were absolutely beautiful and the restaurant was amazing. They served us a five course meal that was perhaps one of the best I have ever had and I believe it was only about 30 euros a person. After the meal we had tea and wine on the restaurant balcony and listened to the sounds of Morocco at night. It was truly a magical experience and I recommend it to anyone and everyone!

Only bad part was the water for the tub didn't stay hot very long. But the beauty of the hotel outweighs this minor imperfection.