Hotel Molino Garden — Hotel in Chefchaouen

Nestled within the mesmerizing blue city of Chefchaouen, Morocco, lies a hidden oasis of tranquility and beauty - the Hotel Molino Garden. During a three-night visit in July, my wife and I were captivated not only by the enchanting charm of Chefchaouen but also by the unique allure of our chosen accommodation.||Chefchaouen, with its picturesque blue-painted buildings, is a haven for travelers seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. This quaint city is surrounded by natural wonders, and its rich history is exemplified by attractions like the old mosque, Sabanin, and the neighboring school named after the 18th-century Muslim theologian Soulayman El Hawat. The neighborhood's watermills, notably the hotel's previous incarnation as a watermill, serve as a testament to the city's ancient past.||Our chosen abode, Hotel Molino Garden, proved to be a rare gem at the heart of Chefchaouen. Situated on the outskirts of the old city, the hotel's calm ambiance was an oasis within an oasis. The magical garden, a collaborative effort with the neighboring primary school, transported us to a world of serenity. Designed with impeccable taste, the garden featured bamboo trees, goldfish ponds, and an ingenious layout that cocooned us from the city's clamor, while seamlessly connecting us to the majestic mountain backdrop.||The hotel's rooms were an embodiment of comfort and history. Our first night was spent in the Garden Room, a cozy apartment with two bedrooms and a living room, all overlooking the captivating garden. Despite the summer heat, the room remained naturally cool, eschewing the need for air conditioning. The second night introduced us to a separate apartment adjacent to the hotel - a meticulously restored old house exuding aesthetics and charm. Once again, the absence of air conditioning was hardly a concern, as the natural ventilation kept us comfortable.||Our final night at Hotel Molino Garden saw us in a cozy room on the upper floor, providing a glimpse of the lively alley leading to the hotel entrance. Each accommodation told a unique tale, seamlessly blending modern amenities with the city's rich heritage.||No visit to Chefchaouen would be complete without indulging in its culinary delights. With guidance from locals, we embarked on a gastronomic journey. Restaurant Bab Ssour stole our hearts with its delectable local offerings and incredible flavors. The restaurant's two branches, both boasting stunning terraces and panoramic views, were equally enchanting. Another culinary highlight was Restaurant Triana, where a delightful breakfast and a riverside terrace provided an unforgettable dining experience. Although the food was mostly exceptional, a minor hiccup was encountered with the Tira Asada, where the beef's dryness detracted from an otherwise delightful meal.||For quick bites and refreshing juices, the main square led us to MIDO's. Their impeccable falafel and warm hospitality made it a go-to spot for rejuvenating snacks.||In summary, our journey to Chefchaouen and our stay at Hotel Molino Garden were an enchanting blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. The hotel's idyllic garden, charming rooms, and proximity to cultural landmarks made it a true haven within the blue city. The culinary explorations added yet another layer of delight to our trip, as we indulged in the local flavors recommended by friendly locals. Chefchaouen, with its bewitching allure, will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and Hotel Molino Garden served as the perfect gateway to this captivating...

Nestled within the mesmerizing blue city of Chefchaouen, Morocco, lies a hidden oasis of tranquility and beauty - the Hotel Molino Garden. During a three-night visit in July, my wife and I were captivated not only by the enchanting charm of Chefchaouen but also by the unique allure of our chosen accommodation.||Chefchaouen, with its picturesque blue-painted buildings, is a haven for travelers seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. This quaint city is surrounded by natural wonders, and its rich history is exemplified by attractions like the old mosque, Sabanin, and the neighboring school named after the 18th-century Muslim theologian Soulayman El Hawat. The neighborhood's watermills, notably the hotel's previous incarnation as a watermill, serve as a testament to the city's ancient past.||Our chosen abode, Hotel Molino Garden, proved to be a rare gem at the heart of Chefchaouen. Situated on the outskirts of the old city, the hotel's calm ambiance was an oasis within an oasis. The magical garden, a collaborative effort with the neighboring primary school, transported us to a world of serenity. Designed with impeccable taste, the garden featured bamboo trees, goldfish ponds, and an ingenious layout that cocooned us from the city's clamor, while seamlessly connecting us to the majestic mountain backdrop.||The hotel's rooms were an embodiment of comfort and history. Our first night was spent in the Garden Room, a cozy apartment with two bedrooms and a living room, all overlooking the captivating garden. Despite the summer heat, the room remained naturally cool, eschewing the need for air conditioning. The second night introduced us to a separate apartment adjacent to the hotel - a meticulously restored old house exuding aesthetics and charm. Once again, the absence of air conditioning was hardly a concern, as the natural ventilation kept us comfortable.||Our final night at Hotel Molino Garden saw us in a cozy room on the upper floor, providing a glimpse of the lively alley leading to the hotel entrance. Each accommodation told a unique tale, seamlessly blending modern amenities with the city's rich heritage.||No visit to Chefchaouen would be complete without indulging in its culinary delights. With guidance from locals, we embarked on a gastronomic journey. Restaurant Bab Ssour stole our hearts with its delectable local offerings and incredible flavors. The restaurant's two branches, both boasting stunning terraces and panoramic views, were equally enchanting. Another culinary highlight was Restaurant Triana, where a delightful breakfast and a riverside terrace provided an unforgettable dining experience. Although the food was mostly exceptional, a minor hiccup was encountered with the Tira Asada, where the beef's dryness detracted from an otherwise delightful meal.||For quick bites and refreshing juices, the main square led us to MIDO's. Their impeccable falafel and warm hospitality made it a go-to spot for rejuvenating snacks.||In summary, our journey to Chefchaouen and our stay at Hotel Molino Garden were an enchanting blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. The hotel's idyllic garden, charming rooms, and proximity to cultural landmarks made it a true haven within the blue city. The culinary explorations added yet another layer of delight to our trip, as we indulged in the local flavors recommended by friendly locals. Chefchaouen, with its bewitching allure, will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and Hotel Molino Garden served as the perfect gateway to this captivating...

Our family of four with two adult sons were so pleasantly surprised with this hotel. It was nestled within the old medina of Chefchaouen and the architecture was in line with the 14th century buildings that you see in this area.

The pros: The room we had was such a great price. Four of us - and my sons are very tall, over 6 feet could fit into their larger double room. There were two queen beds and one bathroom, shared by the four of us.

The staff was very helpful and obliging. As cars cannot drive up to the hotel entrance, (due to the ancient architecture of the place) we had to carry our bags a short distance to the hotel The staff was there to meet us and carry our heavy bags. However, it was different story with the check out. (the cons)

The hotel views were stunning as we looked out into the blue buildings of the medina. It was so peaceful, and quiet.

Everything - restaurants, little stores, other tourist attractions like the abandoned Spanish mosque on the top of the hill and the clean river that runs through the center of the medina is within walking distance. This place is stunning and has a lot of photo opportunities for the avid photographer or instagramer.

The cons: I have to say the stairs are very narrow and steep so if you were an older person with some physical challenges, this is not the hotel for you. There are no lifts.

Even though they said there was wifi service, we could not access it from our rooms. The signal was very weak as we stayed at the top most floor. I consider Wifi as a basic necessity for any star hotel nowadays.

This is a small complaint about the staff but it is from my cultural viewpoint so please take how you will. In the summer, I was told by my Moroccan guide, that most people take a nap in the afternoon from 3-6pm as it gets very hot. They then come out again at 7pm and things get very lively till around 2 - 3 am. The locals do not wake up early in the morning after such a late night. When we visited, it was July 26 and it was the hottest time in Morocco. So I asked the front desk staff about breakfast - this hotel does not serve any - he told me that he would take our family to his friend's restaurant the next morning. I mentioned we would be down by the desk at 8.30 am and he said he would be there. The next morning when we went down, the whole hotel lobby was dark and the front door was locked. I realised that the staff had not come in to work yet or they had not woken up. So we opened the door ourselves and went to discover breakfast by ourselves. It was not an issue for us at the time, but we were a bit surprised by it. However the next day, we wanted to check out at 8am as we had to drive to Fes - the staff again was no where to be seen. Luckily I had asked to pay for the hotel fees the night before as I suspected that no one would be awake at that time. We left the hotel and the key on the unmanned front desk and departed.

Having said all of that, we would definitely come back to stay at this very charming hotel. Thank you...