Ibis Moussafir, Marrakech

I stayed in the Ibis Moussafir Marrakech in November 2006.

The Ibis Moussafir is very conveniently located in Marrakech, especially for onward travellers. It is sited on the West of town between the Airport and the old town, next to the Train Station.

Arriving at the hotel from the airport is simple (and relatively cheap). It costs 50-60 dirham per person (16 dirham=£1) to get a taxi to the hotel from the airport. The taxi will be your old fiat uno/peugeot 206 that you thought was scrapped in the 1990's somehow brought back to life, painted yellowy/brown and looking like it should be in a banger race.There is a board of standard taxi fares as you leave terminal 1,check it as they will attempt to charge you more if you dont know the correct fare.

Alternatively if you are looking to save money or have easy to carry luggage, the airport bus (20 dirham or 2 euro - they accept correct change euro on this service) passes 10 minutes south of the hotel (get off at avenue mohammed VI, formerly avenue de france and walk north)

If you arrive by Train you cant miss the hotel, it shares the car park to the Station.

The Hotel cost approx £30 per night for 2 people in a double room including a buffet breakfast. You can get 3* cheaper in Marrakech, but standards apparently vary vastly so i wanted a hotel where i could guarantee the basics (although you get a little more than in most Ibis's)

The first thing you come across as you enter is the reception desk. The staff are very helpful, but since Ibis is a french origin hotel chain and Morrocco has french links, the second language of the hotel staff is French not English, so a little knowledge of the language was a big help.

Once past the desk you enter the bar area which is kitted out with traditional Moroccan decor - lots of dark hardwood chairs and tiled tables. There is also an outdoor seating area in the gardens, and a pool bar (shut when i was there). Prices are reasonable but say a nominal 20% higher than some places in town. Most of the bar staff seemed to speak good English too.

Through the bar is the restaurant (open 6am - 11pm) prices are again reasonable and the food is good. They also have an all you can eat salad bar (which does include some meat) for 30dirhams (£2) in the day and 55dirham at night. Main meals are up to 80 dirham (£5). The buffet breakfast had a good choice between 6am and 10am and offered croissants and rolls till 12noon.

The swimming pool was nicely presented, clean and had a few sun loungers around (Ibis isnt a holiday hotel, so there was little demand for these even though it hit 30degrees).

The rooms were compact but comfortable, with all the basics expected - towels, tv, iron etc. The Tv did have BBC World if you wanted English TV. The bathroom was traditionally tiled, with fairly new sink and shower, but the tiling was a little worn, nothing too bothering though.

Our rooms had views over the garden and pool. Behind the hotel is a train line/siding, which didnt disturb us even with the window open.

Rooms were serviced every day, and the hotel had flexible checkin times (as early as 1pm in and as late as 12noon out).

The hotel is 5 mins walk from the French quarter (gueliz) and 10 mins from the edge of the old town. The furthest attraction is the royal palace at the very south of the old town, which can be done in 30-40mins walk. Taxis are very cheap except at the airport, 30 dirhams was more than enough for a taxi anywhere across town.

Overall the hotel was a very comfortable pleasant stay, and although you could have got cheaper elsewhere in the context it wasnt too much more expensive. I also liked the location - just away from the hustle of the old town, but within walking to all the old town and gueliz.

I would recommend buying a guidebook if you plan to see the sights, and an english french phrasebook if you know little french - people seem to appreciate the effort of those who try as well. Also choose carefully where you eat as you can pay little less than English prices for an average meal (the restaurant over the road from the hotel), or you can pay £5 each for a really good 3 course with drinks and a terrace view(cafe waha in the place jmma al fna - the main square in the old town).

Marrakech felt safe, and i had little trouble apart from enthusiastic traders-you can walk thorough the souks (covered markets) and be continually hassled, but never threatened, however i would always suggest to travel with someone.

A few tips:

- Parlez vous anglais (worth learning)
- Try not to spend your change as a lot of places struggle for it, plus public toilets that are western (ie not a squatter) cost 1 or 2 dirham.
- Dont flash too much flesh if you're female as morocco is predominantly muslim
- Avoid "guides" that you meet in the markets - if you want one get your hotel to arrange one
- In the souks/markets give yourself at least an hour to get lost and find your way out. Be prepared to not come out anywhere near where you came in
- if you want to drive, they still have prioritie a droite (give way to the right) at roundabouts it seems
- the jardin agdal is better than the jardin menara but only opens 2 days a week (sun and fri) compared to the menaras everyday.
- if you like spices and slippers (and fresh orange juice) youll be in your dream world at some of the markets as thats all they seem to sell.........

I flew to Marrakech with Thomsonfly for £19.99 each way from Manchester. The plane was basic, but for the price you cant argue. My luggage failed to arrive, i was told by the airport authority that it would come the next day, and in a unbelievable twist of fate it did........... No fault of the airline.

I will try and write a Marrakech review too, if not ill add to this when i can.

Note - ive listed value for money as good. The hotel would be very good for £30 in Britain, but in context of value of money in morocco it is a little less