Billed as a 4* resort, it is most certainly not. Our deal was advertised as an âAll Inclusive Plusâ entity, hmm it was most certainly NOT.
Now, while we did have a most welcome good restful holiday, it had its stressful and disappointing moments. The âhotel experienceâ was more 2-3 star. The location is okay, little around the place but itâs only ten minutes to the city. The establishment looks fine on the surface and the rooms âokayâ but bathrooms etc a little tired and in need of refurbishment. The pool and public spaces are pretty good although they could do with a few more beds and parasol covers although the latter would be more of an impediment for the true sun worshippers. The staff are friendly but the obvious need for better training and management is evident in every corner of the place. Staff are slow, less than attentive, tend to consult their phones rather than the customers and gather in packs while tables need cleaned and set. The management by large seem to be ineffective with a couple of exceptions. When the âsuitedâ boss was present in the restaurant, the staff seemed to move quicker.
The actual eating experience however leaves a LOT to be desired. Regardless of how early or late we had breakfast, we had to set our own table by scavenging from others where a place setting hadnât been used. The breakfast selection looked extensive but it was simply countless versions of the same thing, few of which were appetising to any degree. The juices are coloured water, the semolina soup is repulsive, no cereals, berries, nuts, oats or seeds.
The lunch experience was worse still. Leftovers from the previous dinner service, dry, overcooked again, far from appetising. When we took the time to mention this, we were told that they would prepare us something. Kinda missed the point of mass catering.
We tended to eat at the pool bar but a couple of weeks of burgers and sandwiches does not a healthy diet make. The Pool Bar? This was where we first found we had a different definition of âAll Inclusiveâ. In the first instance we were told that from when it opened at 11am unto 1430, we had to pay for any food or snacks and the âfree foodâ (yes, they dared to call it free food), was only served after 1430. This caused great consternation among the many guests of all nationalities. I should also note that this was not advised either before or during check in. Oh and some items on the menu eg a beef burger came complete with a ÂŁ10 surcharge regardless of the time or guest status. The staff at the pool bar seemed a bit more alert than the other restaurant. Perhaps they simply had time to wake up.
Dinner service : much like the breakfast and lunch experience but again, the staff seemed a little more awake and attentive. There is a very definite need for training and I refer not only to the floor staff but to the management themselves. The choice and quality of the food on offer differed wildly for day to day. The one highlight of our week was the Asian evening where the cook in charge of âcurriesâ was allowed to make a couple. They should be mandated by law never to be allowed to make Sushi. It was poor poor poor and so rubbery you could play ping pong with the stuff. Iâm sure the chicken casserole thing was simply topped up daily much like the courgettes three ways. Not a bad salad bar but not great either (though it was missing some essentials most hotels tend to get the salad bar (and breakfast bar for that matter) right, but not the Jaal Riad, mediocre.
The Bar area is exceptional as are the bar staff. It has a great old world ambience and service is cheery and efficient. The single complaint would be that even the alcoholic cocktails in them BUT if requested the guys will make them to order. 10/10 to the bar for service and attitude.
Back to the âAll Inclusiveâ definition. Our deal allowed us to frequent one of the two Aâlaâcarte eating establishments per week of stay. First was the Italian which was well appointed, lovely staff and a good menu. The lighting could have been more mood inspiring though, ie it was lit like a works canteen. The food chosen was excellent proving that they did have competent cooks on the premises. However, alongside possibly 60% of the menu items there was a price. This was the supplement to be paid and ranged from ÂŁ6-ÂŁ12. Now pay attention, that wasnât the price but the supplement. All inclusive deals in my experience are just that, all inclusive. The price being already paid up front, there is nothing more to pay unless you want top shelf drinks or perhaps room service.
The second speciality restaurant was the Moroccon and this was âokayâ. Again, supplements were featured against the most desirable items on the menu and did I mention the wines on offer at ÂŁ50/bottle. The âfreeâ wine had to be specifically requested. The constant use of the term free by the staff was infuriating.
And then at last, we found ourselves at checkout and unlike check in, there were no welcoming smiles or even a begrudged good morning. We get a better reception at our local supermarket. Supplement bill paid, towel deposit cards provided we made our way to the airport leaving the hotel experience in our dust.
Now, Private Transfer? We were picked up at the airport by a chatty local, taken to the airport in a spotless people mover and couldnât fault the attitude de or service provided. Back to the airport, much like the checkout we were shown to a pretty dirty small vehicle that I suspected was a local taxi, the driver didnât utter a word and delivered us much like an Amazon parcel left on your doorstep.
Now, relieved to be at the airport, we completed the hurdles of check in, security and immigration to find ourselves in a very well, if expensive departure lounge. Having been too early for breakfast at the hotel we both had a sandwich (different fillings) and my wife not much later found herself âlosingâ hers on the plane and trying to cope with cramps, nausea and a temperature which lasted another 24 hours.
We had a great time but wonât be heading back to the Jaal Riad any time soon.
One last comment. If you find yourself there, DO NOT take the arranged tour around Marrakech. This cost us ÂŁ108 and we could have had a much better experience, tour and food etc had we taken a taxi there and back at less than half the price. We did meet some nice folks though.
Thankyou, happy travels.
GB