Marrakech Ryads Parc and Spa

“ Positives: 2 good quality clay tennis courts; free bus to town; friendly staff; all inclusive included drinks and pancakes cooked for you.
Medium: hotel long way from anything else; 20 mins bus to Marrakech
Poor: only things covering the cold food in restaurant were flys; bedrooms are in buildings distant from main hotel; aimed at french speakers only; took 3 days to discover activities, tennis coach and photographer; charge to use indoor pool; spa would not recognise our 10% discount voucher and expensive anyway.
Consider: maybe all hotels around Marrakech are like this, but weather was great.

“ Far too FRENCH!!!!!! In the middle of no-where. Not suitable for teenagers. No air-con in main lobby or restaurant. Hardly anyone spoke english. Catered just for french 100% of the time. No swim up bar, no bar in lobby. In my opinion I have stayed in far superior 3 star hotels. This is definately not a 4 star hotel. Not enough amenities, not enough choice, no luxury what so ever, no beach, seated ourselves at meal time, always to a dirty table, no cutlery, hardly any waiters, although you wouldn't know there were any waiters at all, as even drinks you had to get yourself right over in the corner of the restaurant. Would not reccomend and would not go back.

“ Top Tip: If English do no not book. If French and want a Butlins style holiday, then this hotel is for you. No beach, not near any good restaurants. No scenery as stuck in the middle of no-where. Took 1.5hrs to obtain transfer pick-up time to airport even with written travel republic confirmations!!!

“ Hotel was lovely but you need to know a certain amount of french to get by. Reception staff are friendly but their english is limited. Shuttle bus ran from hotel into marrakech town 5 times a day and although at first we didn't know where to go when we got there, we followed some other people and found our way around. We went twice more after this. Pool was beautiful, although a little chilly! Room was very comfortable, our triple room was almost like a small flat, designed very well and being in an individual ryad made a nice change from hotels that seem like a block of bedsits. Food choice was very good, breakfast was the usual cereal, cooked, salad, croissants and cakes with tea and coffee, lunch and dinner was variety each day with moroccan dishes alongside other choices. All inclusive did not however, include the pool snack bar which meant it was along time until dinner on the day we arrive, given the hotel not near any restaurants or shops. Bottles of water included with lunch and dinner and drinks from the all inclusive bar would serve water by the glass. If you wanted water by the bottle between meals, this would have to be purchased from the bar, but at a reasonable rate. I would recommend this hotel as a base away from the hussle and bussle of the city, but to be prepared with a phrase book if you don't speak much french!

“ Top Tip: After a 25 minute coach trip to the town, and a 20 minute walk to the market square and souks, there are several restaurants with rooftop terrases, great to catch the breeze and take some photos. We ate at L'etoile on the right hand side of the square, after walking up many flights of spiral stairs, the view was amazing and you could take pictures of the snake charmers etc without being hassled! Lots of choice of engligh and moroccan food, very well priced. We went there 3 times. Tipping is commonplace, but be aware of the toilet attendants! Small tip is expected, some will offer you toilet roll before you go in - just a few sheets tho! Souks are not to be missed. Once you get over the initial overwhelming sense of getting lost, constantly being asked to come into their shops and mopeds speeding past you, you soon learn that the people are very friendly, enjoy a good barter and the ambience is to be soaked up. You can't get lost, they are not offended if you say no (although you may need to say it a few times!) and if you decide to buy things, a great deal is to be found.

“ The hotel is of an adequate standard and the rooms and public areas are clean. The food in the restaurant is good and plentiful.It is about a 20 minute drive from the airport, and it is worth noting that a courtesy shuttle bus does run into town. The spa and gym facilities are really good. I think, though, that there a couple of points that could be made:
(1) The hotel is largely populated by French people and only a small percentage of the staff speak English - it is either arabic or French. This can make communication difficult.
(2) There are not enough sunloungers / parrasols for the guests - so regular rows between patrons were a daily occurance. You also need your own beach towels.
(3) If you are scared of cockroaches don't go - at night the place is awash with them (sleep with one eye open!).
(4) There are a couple of gift shops on site, but nowhere to purchase additional snacks / toiletries or books / magazines etc - so come prepared.