Amanjena - Marrakech, Morocco 

My second time staying here - first time was about a year after it opened. stayed over the bank holiday weekend and the hotel was completely fully booked - we had one of the one bed pool villas. day 1 didn't start well as we arrived too early to check in and the pool area was absolutely packed - no sun beds free and it was 35 degrees. the pool staff and restaurant staff were clearly struggling - it seemed that many of the people weren't even guests of the hotel. the hotel generally was a bit tired, maintenance had been done reasonably but having stayed before the difference was apparent. the pools were dirty, lots of muck floating in them. our room had a small "rose pond" that the fountain didn't work in - by the time we left it was a grimey stagnent pond, not pleasant. the spa is disappointing, rooms are laid out poorly (you go to one room via another and twice during treatments someone walked in on me). the therapists are average - none of the treatments were great. on the positive side the service could not be faulted - everything from never having to sign a bill because the hotel staff know what room you are in to having your departure immigration card filled out by the hotel so you can save time! the food in the thai restaurant is outstanding and as always, perfect service. the morrocan restarant is ok, nothing special. the most disappointing thing is that both restaurants have no atmosphere - even when the hotel is full, there is no -one eating in the restaurants. the bar is the same as the restaurant - no-one ever there. room service is excellent - call and they come immediately, service impeccable. housekeeping is also great - never get hassled, room always perfect. overall a good experience but not nearly as good as it could be or it was unfortunately........service fab, decor tired, spa not as impressive as it could be.

It is natural that different people have different expectations and ultimately enjoy or suffer different experiences. That is why any review, and this one is no exception, is only useful in so far as the reviewer's tastes happen to coincide with those of the reader - and even then, if the reader's experiences turn out not to be the same as this reviewer's, the reader will wonder whether, after all, his or her tastes were indeed coincident. The Amajena is an expensive, quiet and discreet hotel. The staff are almost without exception as polite and helpful as one will find anywhere in the world. The rooms are spacious and restful (if the lighting is somewhat too subdued and the doors need a little attention). The bathrooms are luxurious. Each day, a different gift (whether it be of olive oil or scent) was left on the bed. The pool is very large but elegant nevertheless. The fitness centre is small but well-equipped. Breakfast and lunch were excellent but dinner (experienced only once upon our arrival) was a slightly sombre affair only because of the absence of other diners (therefore not recommended). The library was well-stocked. Tea was delicious and not charged for. If the room enjoyed its own small pool (as some do), then not only was privacy assured but there was no inducement to leave for the public (but nevertheless almost deserted and quiet) areas of the hotel other than to make one's way to an Amanjena car with an Amenjena driver to travel to whatever destination one might have chosen. The contrast between Marrakech and the Amanjena was striking. The peace, luxury and tranquility of the Amanjena is what one pays (quite a lot) for. Whether it is worth it will largely depend on the tastes, desires and expectations of each guest. In my case, it was definitely worth it. I can imagine that my tastes are not shared by many others. I hope, however, that my experiences will be. GvKl