I too had read the reviews with dread. I had booked on opodo to stay at the MERIEM but the address was for the Meryem.So actually was not sure what i was going to get.
If you are expecting a 4**** hotel UK standard its prob a good 3 ***.But Morrocco standard its great.
The staff are inviting and work very hard to meet your every need. A small tip doesnt go a miss and they are very appreciative.In fact a 10 drm tip about 80p is about right.
We booked a standard room and we where very impressed. The beds are enormous and everything was very clean. The bathroom was clean and the shower was fantastic.
The toilet which was seperate was a little small but not complaining just observing.
I booked bed and breakfast. The breakfast was very good for the price and you could eat as much as you wanted. Everything was fresh ! If you wanted sit by the pool a small tip 10drms would have a beautifuly laid table by the pool and the food just keeps coming whether you ask for it or not. Coffe( which is good) keeps pooring.Very impressed.
The hotel is very close to the impressive train station and about 7 kms from the airport. It should cost no more than 100 drm to get to the hotel.
If you arrive late there is a grotty looking but good cafe across the road.Or if you want to be quick a Mcdonnalds and Kfc just by the station 2 mins walk.
Jemma El Fna which is a great place to spend hours people watching drinking coffee and mooching the thousands of market stalls is a 30drm taxi ride.If you get the chap on the door to organise you a cab its usually a little cheaper.
DO NOT TRY AND HIRE A CAR FOR AROUND TOWN AS.YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. ITS THE ARC DE TRIUMPH ON ACID.
We met an excellent taxi driver who looked after us most of the time. We hired him for the day and he took us on a drive into the mountains, Camel rides walks to a water fall. best restaraunts for the best price. He only charged us 600 drms.
Please dont be put off this hotel by other negative comments on trip advisor we thought it was excellent for the price.

While the hotel is ok-ish, they come up with a whole bunch of rules that make anything but sleeping there a nightmare. People not staying at the hotel are not allowed in the lobby, much less to the room for even a minute (in this case to help with some carrying), staff have been very insulting.
The breakfast, while overpriced, is ok if you are not looking for a big meal to start your day. Generally it is one of the hotels you have to come with a whole lot of demands in order to negotiate down to basic service, there are many less expensive and nicer options all over town.

This is by far the worst hospitality I have ever seen in my life. The hotel staff and the owner are all very rude. There is no respect what so ever to their clients and they dont care about your comfort or what you want. You cant even have a friend visit you in the lobby or something. They immediately kick out anyone from the hotel lobby who doesnt have a room even if they are just their for 2 minutes. They don't talk or explain anything but they shout to tell you what you want. I dont recommend anyone to go. And this situation was repeated with so many people and not just us.

I stayed at this hotel one night on the 05/03 and it was fantastic. The rooms are comfortable. The service is impeccable and the cuisine is delicious. Breakfast was included which was great.
Service was top notch! Hassna Kadani was especially helpful and welcoming. I will return To hotel Meriem every time I'm in marakesh.

Mrs. Alaoui Mhamdi Rachida