Ibn Batouta Hotel

We picked this place for its price and location, and it worked really well for a short city break. The medina and main areas are about a 20-minute walk away, with cafes, shops and restaurants nearby. Those are reasonably priced too, especially basics like water and fruit. The rooftop pool area is lovely, with loungers, sofas, padded seats and a shaded spot for food and drinks. Prices were sensible: two fresh smoothies cost about £5, which would be more than £5 each in the UK. Staff were attentive and quick to help when we had trouble with the bathroom door. The shower leaked a little onto the floor, but a towel dealt with it and they happily brought extra. The room was spotless whenever we returned, and housekeeping had neatly tidied our things. It's simple but has what you need, including a fridge, kettle and safe. Our view wasn't much, though we barely spent time in the room. Nearby building work didn't bother us and wasn't connected to the hotel. The staff are lovely. There were a few small room niggles, but nothing major enough to put us off. We usually choose solid five-star all-inclusive hotels for week-long breaks, but this was a great fit for what we needed.

The room was in poor shape: old, worn furniture, a broken hair dryer, dust on every surface, stained curtains and torn laundry. For two people there was just one glass, and we had to argue at reception to get another. They suggested we carry hot water ourselves from the bar by the hotel exit, where the mugs had lipstick marks. On our second day, there was no bottled water in the room. When we asked for some, staff said it cost 15 dirhams for half a litre, or told us to go to the supermarket, where a bottle costs no more than 4 dirhams. When we asked staff to fix things or pointed out how dirty the room was, they only smiled awkwardly and did nothing. The two good things were the location, near modern Marrakesh's centre and a 35-minute walk from the medina, and the variety of Moroccan breakfasts. We'd travelled all over the country and had a wonderful time, but this last hotel spoiled the whole impression.

The rooftop pool was a real highlight, and the location made it easy to get to both the old town on foot and the new town nearby. Breakfast tasted good and offered a nice range. The staff were very welcoming and friendly. The sliding balcony doors didn't shut properly and seemed to have no seal, so noise from nearby construction sites came through.

I stayed from October 29, 2025 to November 4, 2025, and was so happy with the service at all hours. Everyone working here, from the most junior to the most senior employee, was friendly, ethical and courteous in a way I've never seen before. Their warm welcome made me love Morocco. This hotel deserves a thousand stars. I hope I get to meet them again. I can't put my appreciation into words; they're truly exceptional.