Hotel Xaluca Dades

We’re here with the Intrepid tour for two nights. It’s a decent resort hotel, quite similar to their sister hotel in Erfoud. The rooms are fine, a little rustic, but have what you need. There’s a bar and a large dining room serving buffet breakfast and dinner. It’s standard food, nothing special. None of the safes we’ve come across in Moroccan hotels seem to work. We asked at one hotel to have a safe opened, but they couldn’t do it. Not sure why they have them if guests can’t use them.

There was music and singing to welcome us as we got out of the car, which was really cool. The rooms and bathrooms were spacious, and the food was delicious. Even my picky sister enjoyed it, with mac and cheese, potatoes, pastille, pasta, and more. The macaroons were so good, crunchy and soft, with a satisfying flavor. The bedding was heavy, and I think it was the best sleep I’ve had since coming to Morocco. A really nice stay, and I’d absolutely stay here again if I’m in the area.

The room was uncomfortable in several ways. The mattress was extremely hard, and some furniture was in such poor condition that it tore our clothes more than once. The WiFi didn’t work, the TV had no functioning channels, and the hot tub was cold. The patio windows wouldn’t lock, which made us feel unsafe. At checkout, Hamid at reception accused us of taking minibar items we hadn’t touched. He said housekeeping had already confirmed things were missing, even though we’d left the room so quickly that this seemed impossible. It felt like an attempt to charge us unfairly. The hotel itself seemed outdated and poorly maintained, with mismatched décor that made it feel uncomfortable. Dinner from the à la carte menu was poor, and breakfast was chaotic, with large tour groups crowded around very average food. The place seems geared mainly toward tour groups, so the experience felt rushed and impersonal. Staff were largely unfriendly, and the whole stay was frustrating. I’d strongly recommend avoiding it and choosing a riad instead for a more authentic and comfortable stay.

The rooftop pool and bar, plus the indoor hot pool and lovely spa and hammam, made this a great place to unwind. The suites were gorgeous and welcoming, with a big room and huge beds. Such a stunning setting and hotel, I only wish we’d had more time there.