Same As Past Reports

The Tichka is an okay place, had to change rooms the first night due to a bathroom problem, that said, staff were incredibly helpful so not an issue. Pool and garden nice if a little small but un-crowded and breakfast was nice as you can sit just to one side of the garden, the surrounding walls quite cooling in the morning. Location is poor, okay, its only a twenty minute walk in to town but the weather can make that seem a lot longer. On the whole I suppose I might return one day, the garden is pleasent after all, maybe though a rhiad would offer a better experience. But DO, DO! go for dinner one night at Le Comptoir, I would literally return to Marrakech for a single night simply to go again, its like walking in to a weird fantasy, just amazing.

Very nice - not perfect

Just Got Back after 4 days with a small child. booked on airmiles so not sure if value for money. The entance and pool are lovely TRADITIONAL MOROCCAN. Rooms ok - One British channel (NEWS) - Anyway she watched cartoons in French!! Most staff excellent and made a real fuss of our daughter (ACTUALLY THIS IS THE CASE ALL OVER MARRAKESH) Bathrooms a bit dingy and have bad limescale but toilet clean and shower great and good hairdryer. It is a bit out of centre and have to get taxi everywhere but cheap enough.

Food nice enough bar lovely. We ate in 2nd restaurant - almost hidden. Lit by lanterns with live moroccan music. Food OK. Music GREAT. Belly Dancer - WELL SHE DID NOT WANT TO BE THERE.

Our main problem and the reason we booked out one night early- We hoped to have a few days by and in the pool. NO WAY COULD YOU SWIM IN IT. It was freezing.

Did I like the hotel - YES A LOT. Would I return - depends on who with, and when, and cost, bear in mind even the 5 star hotels the pools were at best bearable . To be honest next time I would prefer a riad - if we can get a babysitter but do not let this put you off taking children and they will love the camels, majorelle gardens (time out is wrong when it says no kids) and unfortunately mine loved the snakes and chained up monkeys and the fuss made of her by marrechi

Fab interiors, irritating location

We stayed for a week at the Tichka Salam in November 2005. We loved the hotel, a wonderfully fun recreation of Moroccan decoration. The entrance foyer, the salons, and the restaurant are just great to see. On a practical rather than aesthetic level, the hotel wasn't quite as fab. The service was fine, all the staff were very friendly and helpful and happy to converse in French and English. However, as other reviewers have noted, the hotel has seen better days and the paint is starting to peel and the plumbing to rust in places. Finally, the out-of-town location is a pain. It is too far to walk into the medina (although we did - 45 minutes to Jemaa el fnaa), and there's nowhere pleasant nearby to go out for an evening stroll. If you want to soak up the flavour of Marrakech stay in a riad in the old town, but if you want western luxuries - pools, western food, room service, in an imaginative and beautiful setting, you won't find better than the Tichka Salam

Amazing place to stay

We have just returend from a short break to Marrakech where we stayed at the Tichka Salam. The hotel is beautiful, with all the modern features associated with a 4-star hotel with the most beautiful Moroccan features and decor. The lobby and lounge areas are stunning with beautiful lamps and soft furnishings. The pool and gardens are delightful with an excellent and helpful staff to help with sunbeds, drinks and anything at all. The rooms are spacious, air-conditioned with good bathroom facilities and lovely balconies. The buffet breakfast at the pool-side is also excellent with everything imaginable on offer. I am not sure what the poor reviews on this hotel were referring to - its an excellent hotel, peaceful and calm, away from the dusty centre but near enough for a short cheap taxi ride. Highly recommended.

Fantastic Honeymoon!!

We personally cannot understand the opinion of the 3rd Nov 2004 review. My wife and I enjoyed a fabulous 11 days at Tichka Salam in March this year, everything from the decor through to the friendliness and efficiency of the staff, whose hospitality went as far as trying to teach us Arabic. Maybe they just appreciated our efforts, I don't know. This is a hotel (or funduk) we would strongly recommend and our memories are more in keeping with the review of 3rd Aug 2004. Oh, and we certainly didn't have trouble with sun loungers.

Character, Charm and Incompetence

The Tichka has clearly seen better days, but if you want value and character in a bigger establishment then it is a good choice. The hotel has charming nooks and crrannies, with an attractive lobby and a lovely pool surrounded by garden. Its about time that the fixtures, fittings and furnishings had a revamp - with the odd bit falling apart rather easily. The bedrooms are large with characterful furnishings. The thing that drove us mad was the effort required to check in and check out - each took about half an hour with a weird system of paying for extras in cash and the bill at the main reception. Despite asking five times to pay our bill (we were travelling ina group, and individuals had different departure dates) to be told that it had been settled from our company in London, our two reaming colleagues were then accosted at breakfast to say that five of us ahd done a runner! From the palaver that the simplest of hotel transactions took, anyone would think that the hotel staff had never done any of these things before. You even get hcarged separately and in advance (25 Diram a day) to get a card for your room safe. In all other respects the staff were sweet, warm and courteous - apart from the incompetent harridans at reception. We also had a wonderful man assigned to take care of our group, Omar, who organised all our group trips, drivers and meetings. Breakfast - the only meal we had at the hotel was fine - with a fairly extensive breakfast buffet.

An oasis of calm!

Just returned from a week at the Tichka, and thought that the hotel was very good. I agree with some comments that the bathrooms could do with a re-fit, but everything worked well and the maids did an excellent job. Room was a good size and comfortable.

The public areas of the hotel are beautifully decorated and I loved the garden/pool area for sun bathing( & yes they do need to invest in a few more sun loungers although we never had to wait long for one). It really is a calm oasis in the midst of the chaos that is Marrakech! I found the pool temperature fine, and it is heated.

Breakfast was a buffet with many options & other items could be ordered at a surcharge. We had dinner 3 times in the hotel, thought it was ok, not exceptional and quite pricey for what you get. The Moroccan restaurant is a beautifully decorated space reminiscent of a Berber tent, with musicians & belly dancer thrown in. A good experience.

Always taxis waiting outside......don't pay any more than 20 dhms. We chose to walk back to the hotel in the evening after our meals and always felt perfectly safe

Overall I was very happy with the hotel and if returning to Marrakech would stay here again.

Some good bits, some not so good

We stayed at the Tichka during October half-term break for a week ... lots of other families there so all the kids had a great time by the pool.

Good-to-average bits - loved the decor, especially in the public areas, which is done in a typically Moroccan style to good effect. I liked the rooms too although admittedly they are starting to look a little tatty round the edges. (Put in perspective, given the general state of the rest of Marrakkech they are fantastic!). Ambience for evening events and meals outside by the pool excellent. The staff are generally helpful with the exception of 1 or 2 waiters who seem determined to ignore you. My advice is to just go up to the bar/service areas and ask directly!

There are several good restaurants in walking distance - I'd recommend the Monte Cristo.

Not so good bits - I agree with the other comment about the poolside loungers. They are packed away every evening and then to get one the following morning, unless you go and plant yourself, straight after breakfast, on the grass and catch the eye of one of the attendants (or hand him some money) you wll miss out. There simply aren't enough to go around. The pool is huge and very attractive, but way too cold to just mess around in. Probably OK in mid summer but definitely not by October. We had one very bland meal from the menu one evening, although all the buffets were good.

Taxi drivers hassle you every time you walk out the door; no seat belts in any of them, cars are in a dreadful state generally so be prepared! Also take note of advice about what a fare should be. The taxi drivers will ask for ridiculous amounts if you look innocent. Moroccans are generally very friendly and helpful people, but always after your money, so be prepared. Tip - check out the airpot shops when you arrive for the prices of all the typical Moroccan souvenirs, so that you know what to aim for when bargaining in the souks!

All in all I think that the deal we got at the Tichka - a package via lastminute - was reasonable value for money.

Dated property

Recently returned from the Tichka,Marrakech and fairly unimpressed with this so called 4 * property.Limited space to sunbathe around the pool and shortage of sunbeds,impossible to get one after 9.30am ,very frustrating.Hotel has a tired and slightly neglected feel and rooms fairly dark and depressing.Bathrooms extremely basic with rust around fittings and chipped tiles and paint,again definately not a 4 star.Service levels poor and difficult to get waiters attention for coffee etc at breakfast.Location ok ,with plenty of taxis(great cabbie called "Rocky") outside or a 20 minute walk into town.Found some great restaurants...Al Fassia,superb ambience and service,Chez Jack`Line,cheap and reliable,La Trattoria ,wonderful decor but overpriced and food fairly average.Spent 2 nights in Esssaouira at the Sofitel Hotel.Excellent property and fascinating resort..highly reccomended and hassle free after the Marrakech experience which can pall.Knowledge of French essential!!

Unique, beautiful place to stay

The Tichka Salam Hotel is nothing short of stunning - modern but in keeping with Moroccan style with so much attention to detail. The level of service provided by all the staff is exceptional, nothing is too much for them. All meals are taken on the terrace by the pool - at night, large candles are lit and left to bob and float around the pool in time to the gentle live music - idyllic. The rooms are a good size, decorated in bright Moroccan colours and finished with beautiful bedheads, light fittings etc. The bar is embellished in sumptous fabrics with copper pillars throughout - the snacks are delicious too! A true haven from the bustling city of Marrakech.