Hotel Riu Palace Tikida Agadir

On about 108,000 square feet (10,000 square meters) of manicured garden grounds, the family-friendly Hotel Riu Palace Tikida Agadir is a sprawling U-shaped building that faces the ocean. The middle green space is dotted with palm trees, and decorative waterways and fountains accentuate the breezy terraces. Dark-wood accents highlight the contemporary interior, and tufted chairs and plush couches fill an expansive, dimly lit lounge. The long reception area, which opposite the hotel shops and lobby bar, is set off by brass sphere-shaped lighting fixtures.

Many guests hail from France and the U.K., and there are a mix of families and couples (though couples will be happy that the number of children usually isn't disruptive or overwhelming). The Riu succeeds in areas where many all-inclusives fail: There are plenty of sunbeds here, so guests can avoid a mad dash in the mornings; the buffet food is actually quite good; and the animation team around the pool manages to engage and entertain without being overly pushy. The central location on the beachfront promenade is convenient, and guests report feeling safe walking about, despite some occasional pitches from souvenir vendors. Evening entertainment is low-key -- there's not really much to do after the theater show, aside from drink at the lobby bar -- so guests looking to party might want to look elsewhere. Guests here do get access to the nightclub at sister property Hotel Riu Tikida Beach.

A promenade separates Hotel Riu Palace Tikida Agadir from the beach, running between the hotel's grounds and the wide stretch of gold sandy shore that makes Agadir southern Morocco's biggest beach destination. The promenade is about a mile long and lined with restaurants and shops; the northern end reaches the marina, where there is more shopping and dining (it's a 40-minute walk or 10-minute drive). Suq al-Had market and the Kasbah, more in the city center, are a seven-minute drive from the hotel. Agadir International Airport is about a 35-minute drive away.

The Hotel Riu Palace Tikida Agadir's 444 rooms are contemporary with an ivory-and-dark-brown color palette. Dark-wood furnishings complement light-stone floors and the small gray-and-brown rugs. All rooms have living-room areas with sofas or sofa beds, and sliding glass doors that open onto furnished private balconies or patios. Some Double Rooms integrate the lounge areas; Junior Suites add dressing rooms, and full Suites have separate living rooms and ocean views -- most rooms face the interior garden courtyard and pool. Flat-screen TVs and minibars come standard, along with free wired Internet (free Wi-Fi is in public areas only). Bathrooms are large and covered in stone tiles, and include bidets and shower/tub combos outfitted with rainfall showerheads. 

The Hotel Riu Palace Tikida Agadir packs plenty into its all-inclusive rates. Its private section of beach lies just across the promenade, where guests will find loungers and umbrellas available at no extra charge. Within the hotel's huge garden courtyard a large outdoor pool and hot tub are surrounded by a sundeck with loungers and water fountains. The heated indoor pool is part of a full spa facility with a thalassotherapy center, a sauna, and a hammam, along with a spacious center (though it lacks weight benches). A kids' club provides supervised activities, and there's an outdoor playground too. Regularly scheduled live evening entertainment for all takes place in the hotel's theater. Meals, drinks, and snacks are all included. Though there is some name-brand liquor available, the hotel might limit the hours it is available as well as the number of brands. The main dining option is buffet-style with an American breakfast and international fare served all day, along with the occasional theme night. There are also three specialty restaurants -- including one focusing on Moroccan cuisine -- which must be reserved in advance.