Sidi Yahya la Palmeraie, Marrakech, Morocco | (888) 635-3814
All-inclusive options suited to families with children
Clean, modern guest rooms with balconies/patios and flat-screen TVs
Two outdoor pools, including one with a sandy deck
Buffet restaurant and poolside bar
Free shuttle service into Marrakech
Free Wi-Fi (in common areas; being added to rooms)
Kids' club and playground
Organized sports for all ages
Activities offered in French; can be alienating for English speakers
Rooms can be noisy at night due to live entertainment
Wi-Fi not in all guest rooms yet
Non-smoking property, though guests have complained of smoke in dining areas
The Club Med Marrakech La Palmeraie caters to families desiring a taste of Moroccan culture and a lot of organized activity in an upscale, all-inclusive setting. Located in a quiet area about 15 minutes' drive from the center of Marrakech, the resort has 360 modern, air-conditioned guest rooms with private terraces and flat-screen TVs. There are two pools, including one with a sandy deck, and another that's smaller and somewhat secluded. A kids' club and organized sports keep everyone busy, though English-speaking guests have found it difficult to participate in the activities. Meals and drinks are served in a buffet restaurant and at a poolside bar. The Pullman Marrakech Palmeraie Resort and Spa is about 15 minutes farther out, but offers all-inclusive and half-board options in a somewhat less family-focused atmosphere.
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Scene
Bustling and family-oriented with lots of space to lounge in the sun
This resort is built in Morocco's oldest palm grove, which makes for an especially lush setting. Like all Club Meds now, it caters to families with kids -- particularly French families, in this case. The sand-colored stone buildings and stone pathways winding through the grounds are typical of large resorts in the Marrakech area, though the fountains and small pools throughout are nice touches. Likewise, interiors are typical: vast, with high ceilings, Moroccan-style patterns, and touches of bright red. La Pacha Bar includes a poolside bar and a nightly disco, and has a long dark wood bar lit by a series of colorful lanterns. The buffet restaurant gets nice natural light, and is decorated with gray stone floors and bronzed lamps. In addition to the main pool with its sandy areas for lounging, there's a Tranquil pool set away from the hordes, with brown mosaic tile and a stone archway at one end. While families account for most of the clientele, the resort also attracts couples looking for an active holiday.
Location
Outside the city in a quiet, secluded setting
The resort is so filled with features that guests could easily spend all their time on-site. But city center is within a 15- to 20-minute drive away, and the hotel offers a free shuttle service eight times a day until the early evening. Trips to the Atlas Mountains, about two hours away, can also be arranged through the resort. The airport is about 25-minutes away, and shuttles are available through Club Med -- fees vary depending on how guests book their stay.
Rooms
Modern and clean with balconies or terraces, though some are noisy
Rooms are modern, clean, and somewhat narrow. Accenting the plain white walls are a yellow-striped design behind the bed, dark wood headboard with blue tile, and deep red bedding. All rooms are air-conditioned, and have safes, flat-screen TVs, and furnished balconies or stone patios. Deluxe Rooms include minibars and coffeemakers, while Suites have CD/Mp3 players and espresso machines. Some rooms offer separate sitting areas with couches. Bathrooms are quite stunning, with red-tile stall showers and arched, clay-colored walls. Rooms in the 100s are quieter, but some can get noise from the evening disco.
Features
Pools, kids' activities, sports for adults, and evening disco
There are two outdoor pools, including a quiet pool and a main pool with sandy shores. There's an indoor pool, along with a full-service spa with hammam and various body treatments available -- some for an extra fee. The kids' club has a large pool of its own, and offers daily activities for an extra fee; there's an outdoor playground and theater for kids, too. For adults, there are horseback riding lessons, a pitch-and-putt golf course, themed evenings in the restaurant, and a disco at the bar. Clay tennis courts, a basketball/soccer area, and archery round out the offerings. A large meeting room with red carpeting is available, along with an outdoor courtyard space for meetings and events. The buffet restaurant serves international and Moroccan cuisine, and there's a poolside snack bar. Room service is available. Wi-Fi is free in common areas, and is being added to rooms.
