This is a very fresh, clean and modern hotel situated directly opposite the new train station. It is therefore really convenient if you want to use Marrakesh as a base for exploring other parts of Morocco, as all the transport links are within a short walking distance. Also ideal if you arrive after a long journey and just want to flop somewhere as soon as possible!
Inside everything is finished to a good standard and the rooms are comfortable enough, though not luxurious and not particularly big. The hotel opened within the past year so everything is new. Beds are a little on the hard side but perfectly ok. The shower was excellent. Rooms also have a reasonably sized balcony, and ours looked out onto the train station which was an impressive view.
The main downside of staying here is the noise. It's right next to a busy roundabout, and Moroccan drivers are unfortunately very horn-happy, so even with two double-glazed doors and thick curtains, some noise will come through. If you're a light sleeper, it might be best to stay elsewhere or at least request a room round the side. However, despite the noise, on the whole we slept ok. This isn't the place to go if you want a very quiet and relaxing holiday, though, it's more of a city break/travelling base.
The bar/lounge was quite busy with hip young Moroccans on the shisha pipe, and this seems to be the latest trendy place in Marrakesh. It's very European in style and design, and it's not always obvious you're in Morocco - that could be seen as a good thing or not, depending on your preferences. They play Western music in the restaurant for example - usually the same songs... Hotel California and We Are The World being two favourites! The breakfasts are fine, with a decent choice and they do a set menu each night for about 120dh which was rather good when we ate there. Very French style food as you would expect.
The pool bar on the roof was shut during our stay, but we had access to the Opera Plaza pool next door instead which was great. There were loads of spare sunloungers and it's a good sized pool. In fact, the Red Hotel and the Opera Plaza are really two hotels in one building, and I'm not clear what difference there really is between the two. You can, for example, walk along the corridors between the two hotels on each floor. Could it be that the noisiest rooms are put in the Red Hotel, which is why it's a bit cheaper? I'm not sure. Anyway, officially the ground floor pool area is not part of the Red Hotel so I don't know whether you would be guaranteed to get access to it during high season. We were given the run of the place, but it wasn't full so that might be why. As the Opera Plaza is higher classed and more expensive, it felt like we got a bargain staying at the Red but using their facilities.
This is an good choice for a city break if you prefer staying in the new town. If you want to be close to the medina and Jemaa el Fna, this is at least half an hour's walk away and we found it a bit far to walk there and back, especially when it's hot. Taxis should be about 30dh each way though you will have to bargain to get that - you will be asked for 50dh. Finally, I do want to mention the staff who were extremely helpful and professional throughout. They also speak pretty good English.
Room Tip: Rooms at the front of the hotel will be noisy due to traffic.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.