Mansour Eddahbi Hotel

“ Actual hotel layout and design really impressive. Pool area very clean and good looking. Gardens kept immaculately. Staff couldn't be more helpful and pleasant. Choice and freshness of food very high standard. Rooms very comfortable as it wasn't too warm outside. Cleaned regularly.

Only down side was the fact that some carpeting and decor could be freshened up. Pity really. Wheelchair access seemed a bit hit and miss, but not being disabled, didn't apply to us.

Good organization all round, transfers no problems, but airport so close anyway.

Would definitely recommend and will return.

“ Top Tip: Cafe Arabe, in the Medina, as recommended by our guidebook

“ My wife and I found the Mansour Eddahbi a great hotel to stay in. It offers more character than other nearby hotels. There is a great swimming pool in the middle of the complex and the rooms are very spacious.
A good variety of selection for the breakfast buffet but don't expect it to change from day to day.
Restaurants in Gieliz and Jemma al Fna are a 5 min taxi ride (expect to pay 20 Dirhams - under £2)

“ Top Tip: Buy bottles of water from the news/cigarette kiosks which charge 6 Dirhams (50p) as opposed to the hotel with charge 120 Dirhams (£10) for a bottle of Perrier. Unlike the Merridan hotel up the road, the Mansour has no requirements of bringing food and drink into the hotel.
Brush up on your basic French - it helps with taxis and in some restaurants.
If you fancy a baloon ride, book through a guy called Maurice +21224432843 www.cieldafrique.info. Not exactly over the Atlas mountains but you get to see it from afar. Excellent experience but will cost £160 per person.

“ The hotel grounds and architecture are very impressive and the atmosphere was very relaxing. The rooms are very large and comfortable but the air conditioning was a bit lame for my liking (I like to live in a fridge though) and I was a bit dissappointed that there was no tea/coffee making facilities in the room. Staff are helpful and friendly although most do not speak English. Overall, a very nice hotel and if I ever visit Morocco again I would probably stay there again.

“ Top Tip: 1. Get half board at the hotel as local cuisine is not that great.
2. Definitely visit the old town and get lost in the Medina / Souks. Amazing experience and some great bargains.
3. Learn some basic French before you go. It makes life much easier.
4. Take more than one debit or credit card preferabally from different banks. The ability to draw cash from a machine or successfully pay for goods with a card is at best 50/50. Presumabally, Morocco is considered a high fraud risk which probably explains why some card transactions are blocked. It helps if you notify your bank at least two working days before you depart but in any case I would recommend taking enough cash to last you the first few days (Dhinah if you can get it otherwise GBP, Sterling or US dollars).
5. Be mindfull of pick pockets, especially when visiting tourist dense areas. If you are worried just keep looking over your shoulders or use anti-pickpocket techniques like suddenly stopping and then walking in the opposite direction.
6. When buying 'anything' always make sure you negotiate and agree a price before taking a service/product or handing over your well-earned cash. If you donot have 'small enough change' state the value of the note you are handing over as you do so and make sure you get acknowledgement from the recipient. I went to buy an orange juice for 3MD and handed over a 100 MD note. I got 47 in change and then into a lengthy argument. In the end I wrote it off but learnt my lesson.
7. Please don't be put off by all of the above - Marrakech does not feel dangerous and, providing you apply a bit of street savy, you will have a good time.

“ One word sums it up shabby, in need of huge renovation