Avenue Hommane Al Fetouaki, Marrakech, Morocco | (618) 248-8274
15-minute walk to Djemaa el Fna square, the medina's bustling center
In a quiet area of
the medina, about a two-minute walk from Koutoubia mosque
Set in gardens
with palm trees, bougainvillea, and colorful flowers
Rooms open to furnished
balconies overlooking gardens
Large swimming
pool lined with loungers
Buffet breakfast included in room rate
Clay tennis court and petanque court on-site
Free Wi-Fi in common areas
Dated decor
Slow Wi-Fi
Guests complain that food is of inconsistent quality
Hotel Chems is a mid-range,145-room resort-style property located at the southern end of the medina, about a two-minute walk to the Koutoubia mosque and a 15-minute walk to Djemaa el Fna square -- the bustling heart of the Old City. While the hotel shows its age in
places, rooms are well-maintained, and the garden and large swimming
pool -- a rarity in the medina -- provide fine places to unwind in the sun. There's a massage room and a traditional hammam, along with tennis and petanque courts. The restaurant serves a buffet-style lunch and dinner, but there's plenty of places to eat within walking distance. The Chems is a good choice for budget-conscious travelers who want a pool, and who want to be within walking distance of the Old City's sights but not right in the thick of the bustle. This interested in a riad experience can find some in the medina for similar or even cheaper prices -- such as Riad Tamarrakecht or Riad les Orangers d'Alilia Marrakech -- though neither have a large pool.
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Scene
Generally well-maintained resort-style hotel set in a pleasant garden
Despite its
'70s build, the Hotel Chems has managed to maintain itself as a well-presented, if slightly characterless, modern resort-style hotel. The
three-story pastel-toned property is set within large and
well-tended (though far from manicured) gardens dotted with palm trees,
sculpted shrubbery, and pretty bougainvillea. There
are a few Moroccan-style touches both inside and out, including ornate
wrought-iron detailing and patches of traditional geometric patterning here and
there. While somewhat dated overall -- a few spots are in obvious need of renovation -- the overall vibe is unpretentious. It's a good choice for families who need more space than the typical riad offers, and a large pool for the kids to splash about in.
Location
Set in the quieter southern end of the medina, within a 15-minute walk of Djemaa el Fna square
The hotel is
located in the southern end of the medina, about a 15-minute walk to Djemaa el Fna square -- the Old City's bustling heart. The Koutoubia mosque is about a two-minute walk from the hotel, and there are
plenty of restaurants in the surrounding area, including Le Comptoir Darna, famed for its spectacular belly-dancing shows. Marrakech Menara International Airport
is about 15 minutes away by cab.
Rooms
Rooms open to balconies overlooking the gardens.
The hotel has 145 air-conditioned rooms arranged over two floors, all of which are decorated with Moroccan touches, including "tadelakt" polished limestone plaster and
traditional rugs. Despite the dark accent walls and wallpaper borders, the overall look is generic and no-frills. Rooms include flat-screen
TVs with satellite channels (only one English-speaking), and while Wi-Fi is free it can be very slow. All rooms open to furnished balconies overlooking the gardens. Clean, green-and-white tile bathrooms have shower/tub combos, wall-mounted hairdryers, and toiletries in sachets.
Features
Large swimming pool and clay tennis court
The hotel's buffet-style restaurant is open daily for breakfast, offering a range of
Moroccan-style pastries, yogurts, and fruit, which can be taken on the
terrace overlooking the pool -- breakfast is included in the room rate. Lunch and dinner
buffets are also available, but guests will probably do better sampling some of the restaurants nearby. The swimming pool is large, with the water
temperature posted daily. Spa services, including the hammam, are available to guests, and there's a clay tennis court, which, along with the large pool, is a rarity in medina hotels. A small on-site boutique sells clothes, sunglasses, and souvenirs. W-Fi is free, but the signal is touch and go, especially in the rooms.
