Hôtel Majestic

For the price, it’s a fair deal, and the basics are there. The shower was warm, though the water came out in a weak stream and it wasn’t very pleasant. The staff member was friendly at first, but his attitude changed when we mentioned leaving a day early because our plans had changed.

I absolutely wouldn’t recommend this place. I was shocked by how aggressive the night receptionist was when he answered the phone. I was only trying to make a normal booking, but he lied to me about a reservation and started making personal attacks. I tried to stay calm, but the way he spoke was seriously out of line, and there was no kindness at all. I’ve never had a hotel interaction like that before. They really need to hire staff who are more respectful and professional.

The staff were amazing and very professional, and the hostel itself was clean and nice. Thanks to them for everything.

The noise made it hard to sleep. The rooms have no soundproofing, and the doors squeak so much that other guests coming and going kept waking us. Being in the Medina meant there was constant noise even with the windows shut. There was also a midnight curfew. After 12:00 the front door was locked, and when we returned, the receptionist smugly said he’d forgotten about us because the other guests were asleep. When we asked about coming back after midnight, he said, “You can come back at 2, 3, 5… if I hear the knock, I’ll open.” We could have ended up locked out in the street. The night receptionist was rude, sarcastic, and creepy too. At one point he asked where we “wanted to go at night,” as if going out after dark was suspicious. The basics were in bad shape: we had to ask reception for towels, there was no soap, and toilet paper was nearly always running out. The toilet was filthy, often with pee and even feces, and the smell reached our room. The shower was rusty and moldy, with humidity building up because there was no ventilation. The furniture was old and broken, and the WiFi didn’t work at all. The place felt more like a prison than a holiday stay. Even the pictures set the wrong expectations, showing chic throws, stylish cushions, and sparkling glassware for a boutique, luxurious look. In reality, it was sparsely decorated and soulless, like it had been staged for photos and the props sold on eBay. The pool was an uninviting green when we arrived. They said it was “to match the plants,” and it cleared up a little while we were there, but not enough for me to risk coming out with a new rash. There were smashed windows and ripped tablecloths too. Majestic Hotel felt dirty, noisy, and smelly, with rude staff and prison rules. It was one of the worst places you could stay. There are better hotels in Essaouira for the same price or less.