Well my husband and I have just returned from a week at the Riu and have thoroughly enjoyed it, albeit it was very hot! This will have to go in two parts I think.
The Thompsons Experience
We were collected promptly from the airport, check your name off with the rep and jump on the bus, with a quick intro speech and onto the hotel. They arranged a 10 am meeting the following day but we slept in due to the late flight and missed it however the reps are available in the morning (10am) and around 5pm in the afternoon each day and to ask questions of etc. We didn't do any of the trips with Thompsons but I didn't hear of any complaints and they are on hand to ask questions about bars, nightclubs?? and restaurants.
The hotel
The hotel is set in the Palmeraie area of Marrekech which is a new palm tree resort area, it is not within walking distance of the city centre and the closest thing to walk to is a large supermarket. It is a newly built resort area, with new apartments and golf course etc - described as the Beverly Hills of Marrekech!!
The hotel is really nicely set out, with a lounge bar, the lobby has lots of seating, an evening bar where the entertainment is and an outside evening bar with seating, and a day time bar by the pool.
The drinks
The pool bars are not set in the pool (as I heard someone say they were disappointed they couldn't swim up to it!) you do have to walk a few metres to get your drink from the pool!!
The beer and spirits are a little understrength from what we would ususally get in the UK but not complaints. They do loads of different cocktails, even non alcoholic ones too, the wine was fine too, certainly plenty of it and you can ask for 'stronger' cocktails or order an extra spirit over ice if you feel they are a bit weak! The restaurant has beer on tap and wine poured out ready. We actually took a bottle of red and white from home in our suitcase (it travelled well!) to have in our room which was quite nice on the odd evening we went to our room early or even a pre dinner drink whilst we were getting ready. Although they will let you order a couple of drinks each and you could take them back to your room too.
The food
This really was the highlight of our holiday and so much better than expected - there really is something for everyone. It did sadden me to see so many greedy people - tending to be the British more often, who would pile their plate up and then taste it and say they didn't like it, leave it and go get more - I did find that bit rude, especially as you can try a little and keep going back.
The breakfast was from around 7am-1030am each day and had everything you could ask for from a cold meats and cheese breakfast, to fruit salad to a full cooked breakfast. The trouble for me was trying to stop eating!
Lunch is served in the Italian restaurant near the pool from 1200-1530 hrs and can be taken indoors in the air con or out on the shaded veranda. They had barbequed meat and buns, Paninis, Moroccan food, salads, chips, pasta - and the puddings were amazing!
Dinner provides three options - the main restaurant and two further bookable restaurants - the Italian and the Moroccan - both of these were excellent.
I think the trick to keeping the all you can eat buffets interesting is to pick a theme, or a main meal and stick to it and have something different next time as opposed to mixing up your themes on one plate, otherwise its kind of the same each time - you end up with pizza and cous cous!
The room location
I had emailed the hotel prior to travel to ask for a first floor room, in a quiet area as I had read about it being a bit noisy by the pool area. The hotel promptly replied staying they would do their best to accommodate us and they did! We stayed in room 1102 which was facing in towards a court yard and was nice and quiet. it got sun most of the day but to be honest it was a little hot to sit out on the balcony from about 9.30am onwards until evening! The music and poolside entertainment stops in the even at around 2300 hours/midnight so I imagine it may be a tad noisy if you were right by it but we couldn't really hear it on the odd night we went to bed early.
The room facilities
The maids are very good and do a thorough clean down each day, mopping the floors, changing towels, replenishing everything and even a bit of creative towel and blanket art to boot!!
- there are mini soaps, shampoo sachets, and a bonnet du douche! provided each day
- a small hairdryer is provided in the bathroom, it was adequate for my bobbed fine hair but might not suffice longer thicker hair.
- clean towels can be provided at your request each day
- two large bottles of water are provided each day
- there is a good sized mini fridge which we filled with our water, aftersun and even a bottle of milk for a teas and coffees (we took our own water bottle and asked the hotel to fill it with cold milk to have in our room)
- there is no tea and coffee facilities in the room so we took a travel kettle, tea bags etc and some travel cups and as mentioned got milk from the hotel. They will also let you use some hotel cups and saucers from the bar if you don't take them with you.
- the tv has bbc1 and itv which is quite nice for a quiet moment and cooling off - plus its nice to find something in English if you wanted an early night.
The Pool
The pool was massive and never overly full however there was 'towel wars' - as it was so hot people either wanted their prime location or some shade and people were getting up earlier and earlier to secure it - I heard of some people setting their alarms and getting up at 6 to get a space and going back to bed! They say at the hotel they will remove them if you start doing this but I didn't see evidence of the removal and have to confess I may have popped out at 730 to get a space (in the shade to hide a burnt husband!).
A tip - buy a lilo in the uk - it was a god send to be able to float around on it with your feet dangling in the water - they cost £25 yes £25 in the shop! we got one for £10 in marrekech but they are so much cheaper at home.
The Free Bus
The free bus provided by the hotel can be booked in advanced, usually the day before to secure a space, but we didn't find it full and on one occasion we were the only ones on it! They give you a token and you state your departure and return times, but there didn't seem to be any issues with you jumping on an earlier one.
It departs from outside the hotel at 10,11,1430,1600,1800 and 1900
It returns from the main square at 1250, 1500, 1720, 1830, 2000
the journey takes about 25 mins max and the bus is air con (ideal in the heat we experienced!)
You can always get a petit taxi (takes 3 people) and I think they queue up outside the hotel or wait for your custom in the main square (these type of taxis, a small hatchback are smaller than the more expensive Mercedes taxis which take 5 people) - apparently these cost about 100dh in the day and 150dh in the evening each way.
The nightlife
We went out a couple of times to look for somewhere to have a beer and although we found three places, it is relatively 'dry'! The main square is described as being somewhere to watch the evening world go by however they cant sell alcohol as it is in sight of the mosque, so usually headed back at 630pm each time so we could have a drink in the hotel. I did hear of people wanting find nightclubs and although I did hear the reps mentioning a few, I imagine the taxis between the bars would be about 100dh each journey and beers are about £5 for a small bottle! Its not really a clubbing location!
The service
The staff were wonderful and couldn't be faulted. They did however allow smoking in all the bars which I didn't like and would have liked to have changed so that is why I only gave it a 4 out of 5 and not 5.
In summary, all in all this was a fabulous trip and a great experience, especially as our first time doing an all inclusive. If you take it was a relaxing break and are happy to just chill with a little light sight seeing then it is for you.
If you want to know any more (I am sure there are things I've not mentioned!) please contact me.