Riu Tikida Garden Marrakech

Good location to the souk, with free shuttle throughout the day, there and back, provided by the hotel. This does need booking in advance, but we where able to change the time on the day with no problem. Also a short transfer from the airport to the hotel, but we never heard or saw any planes while at the hotel. There is a small shop outside the property (to the left), where you can buy some snacks (very limited) and gifts to take back home, we where looking for a magnet, which we found here.

Check in was quick and a porter whisked us off to our room quickly, a tip was expected, but at no other time did we feel like we had to tip, although there was a tip box on the bar.

We had room 124, which was above the bar, with a good view of the main pool. The room was spacious and always clean. We had two key cards and left one in the slot to ensure the AC was on at all times. Housekeeping did remove this but left it in the room, apart from one occasion where they took it with them and we had to ask reception for another keycard. Plenty of storage space in the room, the beds where comfortable but are on the hard side. The bathroom was plenty big enough with a large shower. I had read that the AC was poor and therefore we brought two rechargable fans, which we where able to leave plugged into the usb points by the bed at each side as the bedside tables where really big. However after the first night we did not use them again as the AC was perfectly adequate, we must of lucked out with this room. This room is quite noisy up until 11pm due to the entertaiment being on beneath, however the sound is stopped on time. There is a mini fridge in the room, however there is only water and that is put in at the start of your stay. If you want more water or milk for tea/coffee in your room, just ask for it at the bar.

The pools are lovely, there are four and an indoor one (which has a fee), we did not find the fourth pool, with the swim up rooms until our last day. There is music played around the main pool, which on our first day was very loud with all songs having a continous beat. I think people complained as for the rest of the week, the music was quiter and a bit more mellow, which made for a more relaxing experience. There are major issues with the sunbeds being reserved and people get up very early to reserve them, especially the cabana beds.

We found the food a bit boring, on four mornings there was no bacon. They also need to have some things ready before the resturant opens, on most mornings there where no boiled eggs ready, they where only just putting the water on to boil, so you had to wait for ages. Lunch was very limited, the same salad everyday and things made up from last nights left over veg, which I don't mind, but who wants to eat cold cooked carrot with mayo? Most of the evening food was fine. Soups where lovely, the desserts are always rubbish in these places, look amazing and all taste of nothing, except the chocolate mousse, which was good. Drinks at the bars where alright, I stuck to white rum and pineapple juice.

The staff are very welcoming and extreamly friendly, they will help you with anything.

TIP- take your own spoon, they are in short supply.

Such a lovely place. From the minute we arrived, we had exceptional service. Food was great, with everything labelled clearly (which really helped me as I'm gluten free). Special shout out to Abdul and Ismail, the most awesome waiters who looked after us every breakfast and evening, getting to know us and was so friendly and helpful.

We had one issue with a leaking toilet - we mentioned it to reception and it was fixed within the hour.

Ahmed hosted a lot of fun activities, we got involved in cocktail making, archery, tagine demos, tea making, and a quiz. A really nice mix of completely optional activities to break up the day. We also did a few excursions, which were lots of fun.

The only downside I'd mention is the culinarium - it's a la carte, however we preferred the food in the buffet as was much better for gluten free.

Overall, a very clean, friendly, nice hotel. We had a swim up room so can't comment on the main swimming pools, but the swim up one was lovely, snd rather quiet noise wise.