This hotel, near the similar Es Saadi, in a gracious residential neighborhood two blocks from the Place de la Liberte and the souks, 100 m from the casino, has grandiose installations but a staid atmosphere. The property exudes an understated elegance that most will find appealing—a marble-lover's paradise from which at least one Italian quarry must have made a fortune. (Nearly all public rooms in the balconied five-story building are sheathed in the shimmering stone.)
The reception area opens onto two tall, skylighted atria that begin a floor below and rise six above. One is graced with a dramatic marble waterfall, both are adorned with thriving palms, and the overall effect is spacious, plush and serene.
The limited and listless staffers offer service compatible with the rates—smiling, attentive, but always on the go for that big tip. Language barriers are prevalent with European guests, although most English and French speakers do fine. Voices echoing off all the smooth, glistening surfaces compound the feeling of isolation here and can create quite a ruckus when big groups arrive from their motor coaches.
Dining is in a Moroccan room with folkloric entertainment, an international restaurant and a poolside cafe. Too-bright lighting gives guests an excuse to don sunglasses well into the night, but tasty fare at least keeps them on-site for meals.
The garden is small, thus circumscribing the splendor here. The enormous hexagonal pool surrounds a tiny islet and offers a wading section, but it lacks shade. Still, sunbathers bask in the glow of the strong rays while napping in lounge chairs. Meeting capacity is 400.
Like so many hotels in Morocco, the fine public areas here dissipate into just adequate accommodations. Air-conditioned rooms are modern, done in traditional prints and pastel tones, and appointed with minibars, TVs with English-language movies, phones, good maple and elm furniture, low-lying twin beds, marble-clad baths with robes, and balconies with cheap plastic furniture. Shampooing the carpets might help to solve the odor problems in the rooms—or would at least make them look better. Suites increase the physical space, but not the level of decor. The guest quarters are in dire need of renovation if management wishes to keep up with the growing number of luxury travelers to this mystical city.
Room service works 24 hours a day, but clearly maintenance does not. Though still a reasonable choice for the rates, this hotel is obviously on the way down. Management would be wise to make needed improvements now, before it's too late.
