El Pueblo Tamlelt

The dining room felt gloomy, and the drinks came in cheap plastic cups with a strange aftertaste. There wasn't proper glassware for adults, only small tea cups at breakfast. Some plates were chipped or cracked too. We tried eating at the hotel several times, but the food was cold even when it was meant to be hot, bland and unappealing. We ended up having every meal at local restaurants, which were excellent and gave us a real taste of Moroccan cuisine. The rooms felt old and dusty, the locks looked unreliable, and cleanliness was poor. Stained sheets were just tucked back in rather than changed, and housekeeping was minimal. We had children and babies with us and didn't feel comfortable letting them crawl or touch surfaces. It may look nice in photos, but in person the hotel was very dated and unhygienic. We booked expecting something cheap and cheerful, but came away regretting it. From our experience, the negative reviews are accurate. We wouldn't recommend this hotel, especially for humans.

The location is a real plus, just a short walk from the beach, and the staff were friendly, helpful and professional. The Moroccan à la carte restaurant is worth trying for its flavours and the experience, although it also feels dated. The food elsewhere was acceptable, but some dishes tasted plain and lacked flavour. There are lots of facilities across the large complex, including pools, bars, sports courts, a spa, gym and shops selling sweets, snacks, souvenirs, leather goods and other things. Some attractions are under renovation permanently, though. The hotel offers an all-inclusive stay and can be a reasonable budget retreat in spring, summer or autumn. The property has passed its prime. Interiors are dated, and the walls and bathrooms need renovation. Rooms are poorly equipped; windows and doors let in cold air on winter nights, and some of the older heating units don't work properly. Air conditioning is only available in higher-standard rooms. Anyone expecting a four- or five-star experience will likely be disappointed, while budget travellers may be happy with it.

The staff have been wonderful, especially the entertainment, leisure and hospitality teams. They keep going out of their way to help, and nothing seems like too much trouble. I'm here with my two teenage boys and they're having a great time. This is my second visit, and I expect we'll be back. Special thanks so far to Madi, Jawad and Adam.

The pools weren't heated when I visited in February, but there were activities like Aquagym to join in with. It's lively here at night and much more relaxed during the day, and the staff are really friendly. There's a bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, plus a kids club, though I didn't manage to get a photo of it. One downside is that the bar music carries into the rooms. I'd give the place four stars.