Le Mirage — Hotel in arrondissement de Tanger-Medina طنجة المدينة

UNACCEPTABLE DISCRIMINATION - NEVER GOING BACK

Today, Thursday, I went to Hotel Mirage Tangier with a friend. From the parking to the reception, everything started off well. Staff were kind, welcoming, and professional until we got to the rooftop terrace.

That’s where the experience turned completely unacceptable.

We were told the outside seating was full and that we could sit inside. We mentioned we had called earlier and were told no reservations are taken it’s first come, first serve. So we waited patiently, just as anyone should.

Then a foreign couple came in and also waited. The moment a table became free, I politely asked if we could take it only to be shut down. The hostess a young woman at the bar told us flatly that we couldn’t sit there, because the foreign couple would take it since they’re staying at the hotel.

No explanation. No apology. Just cold, dismissive behavior.

When I tried to explain that we had been waiting longer, she didn’t care. She just walked away and sat them down, treating them as if they were more worthy than us simply because they were foreigners. That’s exactly how it felt ike locals are second-class citizens in our own country.

Her colleague saw everything. He came back to apologise but still couldn’t give a valid reason for why we were passed over. It was obvious: the other couple got special treatment because they weren’t Moroccan.

Eventually we were seated and served and I have to say, the waitresses were excellent: kind, polite, and professional. But by then, the damage was done. The disrespect we experienced from the hostess left a bitter taste that no good service could undo.

I left Hotel Mirage today with a deep sense of disappointment and humiliation. I came home for the summer to relax and enjoy and instead, I was reminded that in some places, foreigners come first, and Moroccans come last.

I will never go back to this hotel. Not because of a bad day or a full terrace but because of the clear bias, lack of fairness, and absence of respect we were...

My husband and I decided to visit the Mirage for the first time as a couple, everything went smoothly . we had tea time on the terrace and enjoyed the place. Later, we wanted to go back with my father. I called ahead, and they told me we were welcome, that the hotel was open. But when we arrived, we were told the hotel had been privatized — even though I live nearby, and this supposed "change" happened in the 15 minutes it took us to get there. A few days later, my mother and brother joined us in Tangier, and since we had enjoyed the Mirage the first time, we tried again. I called once more, and again they told me “Marhaba” and welcomed us warmly. (I should mention I’m French and don’t have any accent over the phone, maybe they thought I would be a typical tourist coming in) But when we arrived, we were stopped violently by the security and have been told that the place is under construction.

At that point, I realized they were just making excuses to keep us from entering.

Then I remembered — the first time my husband and I got in, the gate was open, and no one had time to stop us. We were already inside before they could say anything. In total, I think I tried going there at least four times, and each time, we were turned away. Later, I checked the Google reviews and realized this is actually a common issue with this establishment.

It’s disappointing to see this kind of behavior from a place that presents itself as high-end and welcoming. Sadly, it seems that appearances matter more to them than respect or fairness. I’m sharing my experience so others know what to expect — and to remind these kinds of establishments that discrimination, subtle or not, never goes unnoticed.

Thankfully, there are many other places in Tangier — local gems or truly prestigious establishments — that treat all their guests with dignity and kindness. They are the ones that truly deserve our attention...

Le Mirage is an exceptional five-star hotel that began several decades ago as a simple café overlooking the beach, and the Chakour brothers transformed it into the luxury hotel that it is today. All of the rooms and suites at Le Mirage are beautifully decorated, and you are instantly impressed when entering the reception area, halls, club-like bar, restaurant and oceanfront dining terrace.

The outside dining terrace is most pleasant with spectacular Sidi Kacem beach and Atlantic Ocean views. Le Mirage has a huge swimming pool with surrounding terraces for the pampered guests to enjoy during their stay.

Since it first opened, Le Mirage has had its share of celebrities, including film stars, designers, aristocrats, dying despots, and those who wish excellent food and luxurious lodgings in peaceful and beautiful oceanfront surroundings. They have a choice of suites-villas fit for a king.

One afternoon, while acting as social secretary for a friend, I was tasked with organizing an elaborate multi-course indoor lunch for his 30 guests, including wines, flowers and printed menus. When I glanced out on the terrace, I spotted an internationally-famous French actor who I had always wanted to meet, but alas, I was too busy, and to this day still regret not doing so.

The lunches, dinners and breakfasts are usually very good and artistically presented. There is a traditional bar that was decorated with wall fabrics and antique furniture by a friend in the best traditional understated taste.

You will find this one of the best places to stay or eat in Tangier. Le Mirage is located about 25 minutes by car or taxi from downtown Tangier and 10 minutes from Tangier's Ibn Batutta Airport.

Advance reservations for the restaurant...