When we arrived at Tikida we were greeted by the staff in fancy dress and given fruit juices in sugared glasses! It is a very elegant reception area! From there our luggage was taken to our room while we had a wander around! The rooms were large and although we had twin beds not a double the beds were pushed together. My boyfriend found the beds really comfy but I found them really hard! Think I like my creature comforts more! It didn't hinder my sleep though and the rooms were quiet and weren't too hot or too cold. We had a view of the Atlas mountains from our balcony and the walls of the hotel shelter away the road the otherside so much you forget it is there. The rooms were always spotless and well maintained, we never had any faults or problems. The shower was great and definately power shower!! It is a shame that there are no tea or coffee facilities in the room but there is water. There are towels and hair dryer but only one plug socket in the room. There is a safe and lots of cupboard space.
The pool area had ample sun shades and beds however in a strong wind they do take off! The pool was very cold and the slope is very slippery They were fitting handrails and signs up when we left and despite the cold my boyfriend swam in it and said it was refreshing!!!!!
The restaurants were great and was very all you can eat. The main restaurant is very much a dining hall. It is clean and serviced and the staff clear tables very quickly but worth remembering the hotel was not at full capacity so it wasn't overcrowded but I think in the height of the season you would feel like you were sharing tables rather than sitting near people. The food can't be faulted and there is so much choice. The lunch and tea runs pretty much all afternoon so you never go hungry. The cocktails are wild colours and quite strong! But not one for complaining when it is free!
The hotel shop is ridiculously over priced! I wouldn't buy there, buy in town!
The thomson rep John Paul is fabulous and so helpful and will give you the down low and any hints and tips! We did quite a few trips and the camel riding was fab so be brave and give it a go! It's not far and doesn't take long but the camels are looked after and the people are friendly and you get mint tea and pancakes when you finish! If you want to visit the gardens then I would ask the hotel shuttle to drop you off for Majorelle Gardens which are beautiful. It is cheaper and easier to do that yourself. You can get a bus to town and then a taxi or walk to Menara from the Koutoubia if you like but Menara is really a field with a pond. I know it is very important to the people of Marrakech but I would visit it by bus/foot/taxi and then get a horse carriage back. The Thomson trip was overpriced for what it was in our opinion. The Road to Kasbah trip, would be a brilliant trip but we had bad weather. The first 4 hours of the trip we saw nothing due to mist and rain then once we arrived could not cross the river to the Ben ait Haddou and although they said lunch was included we in effect had only a spoonful of each course each. Considering the price of the trip I was dissappointed. Had the weather been better we would have seen a lot more. The drivers spoke no english as they were Berber so mostly Arabic and some french. This meant no guide while you were driving and as I was sat in the back facing cliff face the whole way there I got a bit bored! That makes me sound moany but we paid 1100 dirham each for the trip so I wasn't too pleased to miss everything. Fantasia was magical and worth every penny! Great food, great company, dancers and bands, horses and belly dancing and fireworks! Loved every minute!
Marrakech itself is fascinating and exciting! The sounds and smells and bustle of the main square, djemma el fna and the tiny side roads of the souks!! You have to be brave and give it a go! They always ask for a price too high and are not embarrassed or upset when you counter offer a lower price! The souks at night are much better and more fun but go by day to get your bearings! If you get lost you can always leave the city walls and walk around the edge until you find the next bab (gate) and re enter the medina! People will try to lead you around the souks but they are not being helpful, they want money, just say no thanks and walk a different way! Worked for us! The djemma el fna is busy by day and busier at night! Look for the snake charmers (they want money for photos and will drape snakes on you!) and the monkeys (they want money for photos and will drape monkeys on you!) and the berbers playing drums and the dentists selling teeth and the women telling fortunes in arabic! Actually, everyone wants money off you for photos or for listening even though you aren't buying teeth and can't speak arabic to hear your fortune!!
Cafe Argana does brilliant chicken tagine and you can eat and watch the square fill up and take photos on zoom! lol!! At night the squre is full of places to eat and you can grab a bite at any of a hundred stalls! We didn't eat but it smelt amazing!!
Back to the hotel, the entertainment was not our cup of tea but it was funny the bits we did watch! It isn't broadway, more butlins but it's fun and silly and harmless! It was nice to sit in the bar areas listening and watching but not taking part! There is a little play group for smaller kiddies and a baby paddling pool but not much for the older kids so unless you are bringing other kids with you, yours might be bored.
As others have said the spa prices are the same as you would pay in the UK, shuttle bus does stop too early, the last one back could be a little later and the hotel does not change UK notes with pen or marks or rips on them and does not change notes for coins. You need coins to tip for taxies, toilets, waiters etc. All toilets outside the hotel expect a tip. Also ladies, you are in a country where some toilets are holes in the floor, in the hotel is fine and most big restaurants but cafes and public toilets are not western toilets.
The resort is still getting there, workmen finishing paths and gardening but it hasn't been open long but the work men don't make much nose or mess and don't interrupt your holiday. When finished it will look amazing and the gardens will be beautiful.
There are 388 roooms so although it was nice and relaxed when we were there, height of summer when all rooms are occupied it will be busy but it is geared up for that so long as busy is what you like. I would recommend this hotel to anyone and would definately come to marrakech again!
