Sometimes TripAdvisor upsets me. I read some terrible reviews (but still go to the hotels anyway!) but find that in fact the reviews are totally misleading and I thoroughly enjoy staying there. I usually leave positive reviews and can see the best in any situation. Not so for my 2 day trip to Marrakech.
Marrakech itself is a bustling city, full of wonder and I will recommend it to any streetwise traveller. I went with friends and I think keeping to a small group gives you strength for haggling in the souks as well as the usual 'safety in numbers'. However, for your stay DO NOT stay at the Jnan El Harti. Although this is the only place I stayed in Marrakech I'm pretty sure you can get way better value for your money.
When we first arrived we could see that this wasn't a five star hotel but that's fine, we wanted to keep costs down. It was a bit dingy but when we opened the curtains onto the balcony it was a fairly pleasant view though my other friends had a fabulous view of the very large Jardin Jnane el Harti. The bath in our room was stained so I decided not to use it as we were only staying one night anyway. The shower head would only have come up to my chest if I'd bothered to use it (I'm 5ft 6). There was general cracking of bathroom fixtures and the light switch and plug socket were right next to the sink (Morrocco doesn't think 'Safety First!').
When we went to bed the pillow case had probably in fairness been cleaned but it was a sort of greyish colour like it'd done too many rounds in the dark wash, so i used the raincover of my rucsac as a pillow case.
It was quite warm in Marrakech so although we wanted to sleep with the balcony door open it would have been a bit too noisy to get a decent night's sleep but I think you'll find this everywhere in Marrakech.
The worst thing happened to my travelling companion who was getting dressed in the bathroom then noticed the light flicker. She looked up at it and it moved back up into its (recessed) socket! Make of that what you will but we got dressed in the dark the next day and did it bloody quickly. For this reason I must urge lone female travellers NOT to consider using this hotel.
The breakfast was not expansive. I had a couple of oranges, orange juice and a slice of sponge cake. There were also other drinks like tea and coffee and croissants and bread so better than nothing but not a vast selection.
Throughout our stay the hotel had a really weird smell, kind of like a mixture of sewage and food (cabbage?) which was better when the windows were open and kind of stuck to our clothes for an hour or two after we checked out.
All in all I would never go back simply because I truly believe you can get way better for the same money.

Luckily tripadvisor saved me from this place. However it was part of a group tour and we only used it to dump our bags before doing a city tour. The sewerage smell in the reception was the first thing we noticed. Very run down room. The staff at reception were amongst the most unhelpful I have ever encountered and refused to call us a taxi when we left. One of our fellow travellers asked for a map of the city and was told he had to pay for it. When he questioned that it said 'free' on it in French, they begrudgingly gave it to him. The hotel was nowhere near the main square and you have to take a cab to get there but negotiating with Marrakech taxi drivers is a complete rip off.

Of the 10 hotels I stayed at on a group tour, this was my least favorite. Perhaps its that it is in a city, but it was just a bit off. It was Morocco Clean at best-meaning they don't bother with walls or corners, etc. If they don't expect you to touch it, why bother cleaning it.
There is wifi only in the lobby, where you dont want to sit for too long.
The breakfast was ok, usual bread and hard boiled egg, plus they have some vegetables too, which was a plus.
Its about a 20-25 min walk to jemaa el fna, or a bus ride. Its near to cafes and places the upscale locals seem to go to.

I stayed in this hotel as part of Topdeck's Moroccan Explorer trip. While I see myself as a traveler who's quite happy with the basics, this was just plain unacceptable.

- there was no hot water in the room and the shower head weren't working
- the aircon didn't work (while 45C outside)
- and what probably got to me the most was that the receptions staff is miserably unhelpful
- continental breakfast certainly nothing to write home about
- main square of Marrakesh 15-20 min walk away

At least the sheets and towels were clean, but that that's about the only good I have to say about Jnan El Harti.

If you're not forced to stay here try out the many other fabulous places in Marrakesh where the poeple are hospitable and the food amazing!