Stays in Tetouan

AUREA's family rooms come with private balconies and air-conditioning, and the free private parking means a family arriving by car unloads at the door instead of searching for a space near the medina. The restaurant serves international dishes, an easy option with children after a day out, and the 24-hour front desk helps with late arrivals from the coast road. The medina is about 16 minutes on foot, manageable with older children, longer with a pushchair on uneven lanes. What it does not offer: no pool appears among its facilities, so beach days mean the drive to Martil, about 10 km away. For a family touring the north by car, I would book it before a medina dar with steep stairs.

Prestige Hotel & Spa is a three-star hotel in Tétouan with air-conditioned rooms, private bathrooms and free WiFi. The on-site spa and hammam are the draw for adults, and the restaurant serves Moroccan and Spanish cuisine, a fitting mix for this part of the country. The front desk is open 24 hours. Guests rate it 8.6 out of 10 across 2,646 reviews, one of the largest samples in the city.

Riad Las Mil y Una Noches 2 gives families a traditional riad stay in Tetouan, with family rooms that have private bathrooms, air conditioning and free WiFi. The inner courtyard and the sun terrace give children room to move, and the shared kitchen helps with simple meals or a child's snack. Breakfast is a buffet with local specialties, a good introduction to Moroccan flavours. Parents can make time for the spa and hammam.

Hôtel Atenas puts families in the centre of Tétouan, a short walk from Hassan II Square, so the medina and the main streets can be reached on foot with children. Rooms are Moroccan in style, with carved wood beds, a minibar and a flat-screen TV. The rooftop terrace with city views is the place to end the day, and the restaurant and cafeteria cover meals. Martil Beach is 10 km away for a day on the sand.

I would pick Soho Boutique Tetuán for a family that wants a simple, central three-star in Tetouan with a multilingual team. Rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms, a work desk, a TV, a wardrobe and free WiFi, and there are a bar and a 24-hour front desk. Buffet breakfast is served, and the staff speak Arabic, Spanish and French. Guests rate it 8.5 across 1,206 reviews: solid and practical.

Hotel Makarim Tetouan has air-conditioned family rooms with private bathrooms and views of the garden or the city. The restaurant covers Mediterranean, Moroccan, Spanish and international cuisines, so picky eaters are covered, and there is a coffee shop and a lounge. A sun terrace and outdoor seating areas give the family room to relax, and WiFi is free. Guests rate it 8.4 out of 10 across 280 reviews.

Al Mandari Hôtel Tétouan is a three-star hotel with mountain views, a sun terrace and an on-site restaurant. Some rooms have a seating area and a private balcony or terrace, which gives families a little more room to spread out. Free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk and car hire services make practical matters easier. Guests rate it 8.4 out of 10 across 1,417 reviews, a large number that makes the score hard to ignore.

Hotel La Casa Blanca is a practical base in Tetouan, near the medina and the beach. Family rooms have air conditioning, a private bathroom and free WiFi. A shared kitchen is a real help for families on a longer stay, and there is a sun terrace and outdoor dining. It is not a resort and has no pool listed. Guests rate it 8.2 out of 10 across 466 reviews.

Hôtel Mandy is built with children in mind: it has a playground, an outdoor swimming pool and a family-friendly setup in the quiet village of Malalliene, 7 km from the city. Parents can use the spa and hammam, and the restaurant serves Basque and Mediterranean cuisine, an unusual mix for the region. Free WiFi covers the whole property. You will need a car or taxi to reach Tetouan.

Riad Al Borj offers family rooms around its inner courtyard, and for parents the in-room washing machine is a practical help on a longer trip. Some units are on the ground floor, which matters with small children and pushchairs in a house built around stairs. Breakfast on the roof terrace gives children some open air before a day in the medina lanes. The limits are real: rooms are plain, hot water can be uneven according to reviews, and the riad is reached on foot through medina alleys, so arriving late with tired children takes planning. There is no pool. I would book it for families with school-age children who want to see Tetouan's old town on foot, and choose a hotel in the new town for toddlers or for a beach-style break.

Riad Borj Blue sits on a quiet street, and every room has its own bathroom, balcony and terrace, so parents can sit outside in the evening while children sleep. That is why I would suggest it to families who value a calm night in Tetouan. The continental breakfast includes gluten-free options and local specialities, useful for children with dietary needs. Room service and a 24-hour front desk help with late arrivals, and Sania Ramel Airport is a short distance away.

Hotel La Paloma gives families an outdoor swimming pool in Tetouan, the easiest way to keep children happy between outings, and Martil Beach is a short drive away for days on the sand. The hotel presents itself as family-friendly, with modern Moroccan decor, a terrace and a restaurant on site. Parents can take turns in the spa and hammam, and golfers in the family will find Cabo Negro Royal Golf close by.

Hotel Chams is a four-star base for families who want a pool and a spa-hammam without staying in the busiest part of Tétouan. It sits a short drive from the city centre and from the coastal town of Martil, so beach days and medina visits are both within reach. Rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms, and the on-site restaurant serves local and international dishes. Guests rate it 7.7 out of 10 across 218 reviews.

Riad Dar Home is a modest riad in Tetouan that covers what a family needs for a short stay. Rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms, free WiFi, a wardrobe for unpacking and complimentary toiletries. A continental breakfast is served, the restaurant and room service save looking for dinner with tired children, and the terrace gives a little outdoor space. The 24-hour front desk helps with late arrivals. I would see it as a simple option, with a guest score of 7.4 from only 17 reviews.

I would pick Hotel Regina for a family that wants space and a quiet street in Tetouan. Family rooms have private bathrooms, dining areas and balconies, and the sun terrace and mountain and city views add to the calm. The 24-hour front desk helps with late arrivals, and Sania Ramel Airport is a short drive away. Free WiFi covers public areas only. Guests rate it 7.4 across 955 reviews: fair, practical value.