Ibis Moussafir Marrakech

The full review is on Tripadvisor.com

http://www.tripadvisor.com/members/daithai

Ibis Moussafir Marrakech
Avenue Hassan II | Place de la Gare, Marrakech 40000, Morocco

Went down to Marrakech for the first time in December 2006 spurred on by Ryanair opening up from London Luton and being able to obtain a round trip for £37 including taxes - Since Gordon Brown introduced revised APD from the 1st February this tax has jumped to £40 from the UK alone as Morocco is outside the EU and long-haul so it is taxed at the rate as a ticket to Australia - how fair is that?

Booked Ibis because you know what you get and the price of 440 Dirhams per room meant that 3 nights / 4 days equated to £80 travel, board and transfers per person - a bargain compared to advertised packages particularly as I saw the same Marrakech they charge £300 / £450 for!

The taxi rank at Al Menara Airport is an exercise in chaos and here, as everywhere else. prices are negotiable. The petit taxis are Peugeot 205 type cars and don't impress and the Grands Taxis are Mercedes 200's and more practical. They'll ask 100 dirhams for the 2.5 mile trip to the hotel but expect to pay 70 in and 50 Dirham (the official fare) back.

The route from the airport is through a scruffy Quartier Industriele but the hotel is a pleasant relief. Whilst 2 star, it is an attractive hotel with secluded gardens and a good pool. The railway staion doesn't intrude as it has about 8 services a day and means there are taxis and shops beside the hotel.

The public areas are decorated in traditional Moroccan style and the rooms are good sized and clean. The only real negative was the bar - both times we used it we had "problems" with either short change or being kept waiting over an hour for change. We stopped using it as we didn't feel comfortable - friends who have been there since reported exactly the same experience so there appears to be a little operation there requiring management attention.

Breakfast was good in the pleasant restaurant but when we used it in the evening it was good value and competent but the food was dull (an achievement with a Moroccan brochette!) - still it was a safe bet and well priced.

Information at the hotel was in short supply with no leaflet stand. We arranged excellent tours to the Atlas Mountains and of the Medina and while the receptionist was very helpful and gave good advice but there was no price list or receipt and you got the impression this was a direct transaction between the receptionist and the company. We had a minibus for two of us with a driver and guide and this would be the same price (and really good value) if shared between a few guests.

The Hotel was a gentle 15 minute stroll through the Ville Nouvelle to the Medina and the Gueliz had a very continental athmosphere with good cafes and hassle free shopping in the "Prix Fixe" shops - a lot easier than the hustle and hype of shopping in the souks.

Despite any niggles this is a really good value and comfortable base for a Marrakech trip. There is a newer Ibis now open in the Palmeriae but this one has the advantage of being in walking distance of the Medina and the facilities of the New Town and closer to the airport.

This TripAdvisor Member:
Liked: Above average for 2 star with porters and room service.
Disliked: Customer service uneven.





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