We were lucky enough to visit the Clubhotel Tikida Palmeraie hotel not long after opening, back in 2010 and we were thoroughly impressed. So impressed that I am booked in to the sister hotel in Marrakech in May with Thomson Holidays.
From the outside, the hotel appears very modest, as is the way with a lot of the Riad’s and buildings in Marrakech but once through the doors, you are surrounded by sheer unadulterated opulence.
2 storey accommodation blocks were dotted around the expansive grounds, with balconies or patios looking out on to the red, dry earth, the landscaped grounds and lake. The lucky few had views of the snowcapped Atlas mountains. A perfect backdrop to a relaxing week.
The rooms at RIU Clubhotel Tikida Palmeraie are all large and immaculately presented. A well equipped bathroom compliments the giant beds which leads on to a sofa seating area, patio furniture and a stocked complimentary mini fridge. The décor may lean towards the minimal but the inevitable towel art by the maids make it a pleasant treat when you return to the air conditioned sanctuary of your room.
The major focal point of the grounds had to be the huge pool. Day beds, sofa loungers and sun beds circle the water, with a submerged ledge for lounging as well as a lagoon side to the pool making it that little bit easier to cool down in the midday heat.
The poolside bar serves drinks from 10am right until twilight hours, making it a chilled alternative to the interior bars and lounges. A swim up bar would have been the icing on the cake for us!
Alongside the pool, there are sport courts, a kids club, an indoor pool and a Wellness centre. The spa building is a quite oasis of calm away from the buzz of the pool scene. Not the cosy snug spa vibe we favour here in the UK, but the rooms are all immaculate and well stocked with a vast range of treatments from a mid-holiday pedicure to a much needed massage to get rid of that flight tension.
When you feel peckish, there are 3 dining options in the RIU Clubhotel Tikida Palmeraie hotel. A general buffet, an Italian themed room and a Moroccan themed restaurant. The latter both requiring bookings, with the Italian restaurant serving as the midday lunch venue for guests. The selection in the general buffet across breakfast and dinner is extensive and varied. There will be something for everyone, as with most All Inclusive resorts. The food is what you make of it, take from that what you will.
Complimenting the 3 restaurants, there are also 3 bars including the pool bar. A salon lounge serves mint tea to mojito and everything in between. It is a casual place to sit for some respite from the baking heat and being just set back from Reception it means there is always something to watch. For a night time vibe, the RIU entertainment staff put on a show most nights in the theatre room, with its own bar. This means you don’t have far to walk to stock up on drink to get you through the cringy singing. It’s not a Beyoncé level production but the staff put their all in to it. Given that it’s the same staff that work tirelessly throughout the day running water activities and group activities, it is amazing that they have the energy.
Completing the amenities, there is a small shop, bureau de change and an activity / excursion booking service.
Our favourite part of the RIU Clubhotel Tikida Palmeraie? The resort cats. They have their own little house in the grounds and are very friendly little scamps. Always pleased to meet a friendly friend for strokes. Oh and the pool was pretty awesome too, especially as the temps topped 45 degrees when we were there!
*photos are a mixture of my own and those taken from Riu and Thomson website for illustrative purposes.