A bit of France in Marrakech

The Sofitel Palais Imperial was the original hotel with an extension built which is now called the Sofitel Lounge and Spa. In reality it is one hotel with shared reception, restaurants, pool and spa.

A little bit of colonial France in North Africa. 

Balcony view, walls to the Medina off to he left.

Prestige Suite room 304 consisted of small lobby area leading to the main room with dinning table with 4 chairs and a 3 seater sofa plus 2 armchairs. Off the main room was the bedroom with super king bed.

Two part bathroom. First part consisting of bath with sink and vanity area. The second part of the bathroom contained a further sink and vanity area, separate walk in shower and separate toilet. All the bathroom in marble in what I would describe as a 1990’s style. The suite contained ample storage space with large cupboards in the lobby area, main room and bathroom.

Large double balcony with table and 2 chairs one side and a large round lounger on the other side with towels provided.

The suite offered an excellent view over the heated hotel pool with a full panorama of the snow topped Atlas Mountains in the distance.

Looking at the other suites the suite allocated appeard to me to offer one of the best views in the hotel. The décor of the suite was black wood with red accents and was a lot more attractive than the pictures of a Prestige Suite on Accor.com.

Welcome amenity of oranges and Moroccan sweets. Complimentary bottled water replemished daily even if not used in full.

Very satisfied with the room allocated and upgrade granted.  The room was well maintained with modern electrical items.  My guess would be the hotel was built 20 to 30 years ago so the overall design if of that era.

Official hotel check in time 3pm. Advised hotel in advance would be arriving 1.45pm and requesting early check in.

On arrival redirected to Sofitel Marracech Lounge and Spa where there was no doorman or anyone from hotel present. Walked short distance back to Palais Imperial entrance where 4 door staff stood around doing nothing. Requested luggage assistance and member of staff followed me back to the Lounge and Spa entrance and took bags and escorted to reception.

Advised staff we were checking in and asked to take a seat of one of the sofas. After a short wait passports and credit card requested. Mint tea provided. After a further 5 minutes Zakaria introduced himself as our butler for the duration of our stay. He explained our room was not quite ready and would be a further 15 to 20 minutes. Offered to show us to bar for a drink whilst we waited. As it was lunchtime said we would prefer to eat and Zakaria showed us to a table in the pool restaurant and advised our room would be ready after lunch and return to see him when we were finished.

By time lunch finished it was 3pm, returned to reception. Zakaria said room was ready, a further short wait and then Zakaria escorted us to room 304 which was a Prestige Suite upgraded from the booked junior suite.

Check in was rather chaotic. Although not explained at the time check in is usually conducted for both Palais Imperial and Lounge and Spa at the larger Palais Imperial reception and lobby. However this had been used for New Year functions and not reopened when we checked in. Both hotels were using the small reception in the Lounge and Spa which was not ideal. By the end of our first day the reception had been swapped back to the usual set up and the Lounge and Spa reception closed. After this reception seemed less chaos.

Le Club welcome drink vouchers issued at check in.

Although no Le Club welcome mentioned as part of check in process room upgrade was actioned before arrival. Hotel had been showing as fully booked for about 3 weeks before arrival. Despite this upgrade as Platinum member provided without asking for it.

Hotel is located in the Hivernage district of Marrakech just outside the medina walls. Immediate area outside hotel is modern upmarket district with a few modern restaurants and upmarket shops.

From the entrance of hotel it is an easy 3 or 4-minute walk to the medina walls. From there a walk past La Mamounia, through a small park and past the mosque leads you to Jemaa el-Fna. From hotel to Jemaa el-Fna is a 15 to 20 minute stroll. Although just outside the Medina there is easy access to the old town via a short walk or taxi ride.

Foots hills of the Atlas Mountains are 1 hour drive.

Airport is 15 minutes by taxi. Airport although modern is bureaucrats dream. From exiting taxi to being in departure lounge took 1 hr 25 despite having fast track security and immigration.

Sofitel Palais Imperial is a little French enclave in Marrakech.  In some ways more French than France (A France of 30 or more years ago)  but with a touch of Morrocco thrown in.

The hotel offers what it offers and offers that well but if you don't like their way of doing it tough. 

Within those parameters service was generally good although a little slow with the occassional need to ask for something a second time. Lots of staff appearing to do not a lot is probably overly harsh but reflects the general theme. More managers and supervisors than you could hope for although it was clear than once you reached supervisor or manger level you no longer get your hands dirty but instead delegate customer requests downwards for others to fulfil.

Breakfast service would offer initial drinks but subsequest offers of refills or checking if anything further was needed was absent unless you were able to catch the eye of a waiter.

Lunch was a leisurely affair, taken to a table, wait, menu, wait, drinks order, wait, food order, wait, drinks arrive, longer wait, food arrives, request bill, wait. All of which was fine sitting in the sunshine enjoying a glass of wine and a meal. Just don't expect a quick lunch.

With so many choices outside the hotel we didn't eat in the hotel in the evening.

Having a dedicated butler was a positive as we always had a named go to person who knew you and seemed eager to meet guest needs. As an example a request for late check out made to reception was met with a not sure have to see on the day response. Same request to Zacaria 48 hours before checkout was met with a yes that won't be a problem and it wasn't a problem.

Service overall was friendly  just never fast. As long as you are happy to accept the slower pace all was well.

Breakfast buffet was extensive offering a mix of European and Berber food. Lots of excellent citrus fruit as to be expected in Morrocco. Fresh pastries were always good as I expect in a Sofitel. Breakfast isn't cheap if paid but is very good. Free breakfast was included in our rate.

We enjoyed lunch on three occassions each was a tasty although a drawn out affair. Mixture of salads, fish, pasta and usual hotel lunchtime standards. Little Morrocan food on the menu.

Approached our stay a little unsure what this hotel would offer and how good it would be based on a few reviews I had read.

In that background the hotel exceeded my expectations. 

Room was good, food and drink good although expensive especially bearing in mind prices outside the hotel, service although leisurely was always acceptable.

The hotel is a little bit of France in North Africa so if your hoping for a true Moroccan experience you might be disappointed but we really enjoyed it.

Location offers a good combination of close proximity to the old Medina whilst also offering greater space and hotel grounds made possible by being outside the Medina walls.

What I didn't like as a non smoker is the hotel does not offer non smoking areas and a significant percentage of guest smoke including cigars during meals which you can't avoid.

Would return.

Hotel has a large pool area with two main pools one of which is heated. Accross the two hotels there are 300 rooms so pool area can get busy although it was alway possible to find pool beds even mid afternoon.

There is also a Spa pool.

Used concierge to book a Morroccan diner. Recommended Dar Zellij as best option in the old town. Although the Riad setting was nice the overall meal was disappointing.

Also asked concierge to arrange private tour to Atlas mountains with lunch at Kasbah Tamadot. The Kasbah terrace was fully booked but concierge was able to secure us a table. Lunch was the best food and service we encountered in Morrocco. Kasbah Tamadot is definately on my must do list for a return to Marrakech - a stunning property in the mountains.