Hotel Riu Tikida Garden 4*

We stayed here for 4 nights and overall had a pleasant enough stay, but it wasn't somewhere we would rush back to. The pools were definitely one of the highlights. They were a perfect temperature in the heat, and we never struggled to find a sun lounger, with plenty available throughout the day. The hotel grounds are also very clean and it's clear the team work hard to keep them looking nice. The overall décor of the hotel is lovely, with the restaurants feeling modern and well decorated. Our room, however, was looking a little tired and could really do with some renovation, particularly the bathroom. It felt a bit grimy and there was a noticeable drain smell at times. The air conditioning worked but could definitely have been cooler considering the temperatures. We often woke up feeling hot during the night, although the ceiling fan did help. The food was okay but became repetitive, with lunch and dinner offering very similar options each day. Breakfast was probably the weakest meal. The drinks were fine, although the cocktails were very sweet, and it would have been nice if they were served in larger glasses rather than the very small plastic cups. The staff were generally friendly, although at times they could be a little cheeky. The porter who took our bags to the room seemed to expect a tip, and members of staff asked us for cigarettes while we were around the pool, which felt a little unprofessional. We had a late flight home and paid around £55 for a late checkout, which was worthwhile. The hotel's shuttle bus into the centre of Marrakech was also excellent and very convenient. However, be aware that when you get off the shuttle, there are people wearing lanyards who claim to work with the hotel and offer guided tours before asking for money. We quickly realised they were not connected to the hotel, so it's worth being cautious. Overall, this is an average hotel that's perfectly fine for a few days in the sun. It has some strong points, particularly the pools, grounds and shuttle service, but there are enough areas that could be improved that we don't think we'd return.

A wonderful hotel which has been beautifully decorated. The various pool areas help to provide a different experience each day. Evening food was varied and high quality but the afternoon snacks were very poor and there was no variation. The fitness team, aka Mo, was amazing. His genuine and thoughtful approach to teaching fitness lessons was fabulous. He provided bespoke training for my friend and I, and he even put on a separate session to the programme to cater for the heat. His enthusiasm for water polo and aqua aerobics resulted in many people joining in every day. He has been the highlight of the holiday and I hope his fitness career with Tui continues to go from strength to strength.