Published on October 31, 2026 · Updated on October 31, 2026
I spent two nights at the Vancii Hotel on my trip to Chefchaouen, and while it was not the fanciest place I stayed in Morocco, there were a couple of things I really liked about it.
The location, for one. You are just a couple of minutes from the main square and those famous blue streets, which was especially handy when I wanted to get out early with my camera. And then there is the rooftop, where I think we spent more time than anywhere else in the hotel. There were a few things that could have been better too, so here is what I would want to know before booking.
One thing worth saying upfront: I did not book the Vancii myself. It was the hotel included on the group tour I was traveling with, so I cannot comment on the booking process or what I paid. Everything else is based on my own two-night stay.
Quick verdict: A comfortable, well-located hotel right at the edge of the medina, a couple of minutes from the main square, with a lovely rooftop. Best for travelers who want to be close to everything without staying deep in the lanes, and who care more about location than luxury.
The location
The location is probably the biggest reason I would recommend the Vancii. It sits on Boulevard Hassan II, right at the lower edge of the old town, only about a two-minute walk from Plaza Uta el-Hammam, the main square, with the kasbah and the cafes.
That meant I could be out wandering the blue lanes within minutes of leaving my room, including early in the morning before the day-trippers arrived, which was one of my favorite things to do in Chefchaouen. Being at the edge of the medina rather than buried inside it is a practical win too, since the lanes get steep and narrow, so arriving and leaving with luggage was much easier than it can be here.
The rooftop
My favorite part of the hotel, and where we spent most of our downtime. The rooftop terrace is a lovely spot to sit for a while, with cushions and 360-degree panoramic views over the town and the surrounding mountains, exactly where you want to be with a mint tea after a day of walking. On the level just below it there is a bar, and we brought some chairs over to sit out there too.
There was one catch: the bar was not operating during my stay in October, which is peak season, and no one was serving at it. I do not know whether that has changed since, but it felt like a real missed opportunity, because it would make a brilliant little spot to sit in the evening. Even so, the rooftop was easily the highlight of staying here.
The room
My room opened onto a cute little shared courtyard rather than overlooking the town, so it was not a room with a view. I did not particularly mind, since I spent most of my downtime up on the rooftop anyway. One thing I appreciated was how quiet it was, especially given the hotel sits close to a fairly busy road.
The room itself was comfortable and clean, pretty standard really. Nothing outstanding, but no complaints either, which is honestly all I need from a room when I am out exploring all day. The furniture is modern rather than traditional Moroccan, so do not come expecting the tiled, ornate riad look. It is understated and functional, and everything was in good order.
Worth knowing: the Vancii is a modern multi-story building with a lift, which is genuinely handy. A lot of Chefchaouen’s riads are stairs only, so if you have heavy bags or would rather not lug a suitcase up and down, the lift is a real plus.
The courtyard itself is shared with the other rooms around it. I did not get much time to use it, but it is a nice feature if you like having somewhere quieter to sit just outside your room.
Breakfast and food
Breakfast was a buffet, included during my stay, with the usual things like pastries and eggs. I thought it was fine, if fairly basic. A few people in my group were not particularly impressed, but I did not have any major complaints. It did the job before a day of exploring Chefchaouen, though it is not a breakfast I would book the hotel for.
The hotel also has its own restaurant if you want to eat in.
The practical details
- Location: Boulevard Hassan II, at the lower edge of the medina, about 2 minutes from Plaza Uta el-Hammam.
- Good to know: there is a rooftop terrace, an on-site restaurant, air conditioning, a lift, 24-hour reception, luggage storage, and WiFi.
- Getting there: roughly a 15 to 20 minute walk uphill from the main bus station, or a short petit taxi ride. For all the ways to reach the town, see my guide on how to get to Chefchaouen.
Who I would recommend the Vancii for
- First-time visitors to Chefchaouen who want to be a two-minute walk from the main square and the blue lanes.
- Travelers arriving with luggage or by car, since being at the edge of the medina makes coming and going easier than a riad buried in the lanes.
- Anyone who loves a good rooftop for sunset and morning coffee.
It is a comfortable, well-placed hotel rather than an ornate luxury riad, so if a traditional courtyard riad is specifically what you are after, see my full guide to where to stay in Chefchaouen for options across every budget.
How to book
You can book the Vancii directly through its website or through the usual booking sites. Rates vary quite a bit by room type and season, and it is not necessarily the cheapest option in town, so I would compare it against a few nearby riads before booking. You are paying partly for the convenient location and the rooftop views.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. I personally stayed at this property and paid for my stay myself.
Would I stay at the Vancii again?
Yes, I would, though mostly for the location and that rooftop. Being able to walk straight into the blue medina was brilliant, especially early in the morning when I wanted to get out with my camera before the streets got busy, and the rooftop was such a lovely place to sit after a day of wandering.
The breakfast was not particularly memorable, and the bar was not operating during my stay. But none of those things would stop me from staying again. Would I book it for a luxurious hotel experience? No. But for a comfortable base right by the medina, somewhere to leave my bags and spend most of my time out exploring Chefchaouen, the Vancii would be on my list.
