Hotel Central

Hotel Central is one of the best-known budget options in Casablanca, and its location inside the old medina is its biggest strength. It stands on Place Ahmed El Bidaoui, a small square in the medina, close to the main road along the port and to Casa Port station. For travellers arriving by train or planning to explore the medina, the Hassan II Mosque and the seafront on foot, it is hard to beat for convenience at this price.

The hotel has been renovated in a traditional Moroccan style and has 36 rooms, each with a private bathroom, satellite television, a telephone and Wi-Fi. Facilities are simple but useful: a 24-hour reception, free luggage storage, free city maps, a restaurant and coffee shop, and a roof terrace where you can sit in the evening above the medina rooftops. Breakfast is not included in the basic rate on some booking platforms, so check what you are paying for.

This is a budget hotel, so expectations should match. Recent guest feedback praises the friendly staff, the location and the sense of security, while some guests mention street noise and occasional maintenance issues; not every room has air conditioning, which matters in summer. If you are a light sleeper, bring earplugs and ask for a quieter room away from the square. Card payments may carry a fee, and it is sensible to carry some cash in dirhams. A small tourist tax is charged per person per night.

Hotel Central suits backpackers, solo travellers and budget-conscious couples who will spend most of their time out exploring. Travellers who need luxury comforts should look elsewhere, and anyone with limited mobility should check accessibility directly before booking. Check-out is at 12:00, and luggage storage makes it easy to explore on your last day before an evening train.

From the hotel you can walk to the medina's lanes, the Sqala bastion, Rick's Café and the port in minutes, and the Hassan II Mosque is reached by a walk along the seafront or a short taxi ride. Casa Port station is close by for onward train journeys, and Boulevard Mohammed V and the Central Market are easily reached on foot.