Meriem Hotel

There's little that's distinctive about the Meriem Hotel. Its pastel-pink facade, which is ubiquitous in Gueliz, could use some touching up. Inside, the lobby is spacious, airy, and bright. Its marble gray-veined floors, large centerpiece rug, and collection of chandeliers combine to create a formal -- if somewhat lifeless -- ambience. Furnishings are modern but look dated -- very 1990s -- and potted plants, while numerous, do little to liven up the space. Interiors, however, are clean and well-maintained, and the hotel's garden, with a small lawn, bamboo trees, and two swimming pools, is peaceful. Clientele tends toward older tourists, business travelers attending events at the nearby Palais des Congres, and those who prefer not to stay in the roiling medina but still want a central, convenient location. 

The hotel is situated on a fairly quiet back street in Gueliz, in the New City. Its main thoroughfare, Mohammed V Avenue, about a five-minute walk from the hotel, is a busy boulevard of cafes, restaurants, and shops. The hotel is a 15-minute walk to the Palais des Congres exposition space, and a 10-minute cab ride to the Majorelle Garden, with its Museum of Islamic Art, and the Menara Gardens. While the southern edge of the medina is about a 20- to 25-minute walk, but it's best to take a taxi (the walk is not interesting), which takes 10 to 15 minutes, depending on traffic. The city's main train station -- and bus station, which sits directly behind it -- is less  than 10 minutes away on foot, while Marrakech Menara International Airport is about a 15-minute drive. 

The hotel has 144 air-conditioned rooms and eight suites, from singles to quads, Standard to Luxury. Some open to furnished balconies overlooking the pool garden, while others look directly into next-door apartments. All are decorated in a modern style, with traditional touches such as colorful "tadelakt" polished plaster walls, traditional rugs, and some Moroccan-style furnishings. All rooms have mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels (though only one English-speaking), and free Wi-Fi, although the signal can be intermittent. Bathrooms -- with toilets in separate rooms -- have shower/tub combos but vary depending on the room. Those at the lower end could use some updating -- especially regrouting around the shower area -- while those at the higher end are nicely finished in mosaic tiling with marble tops. 

A  buffet breakfast of Moroccan and international fare is served each morning in the hotel's Les Ambassadeurs restaurant, and is included in the room rate (half board rates are available). Lunch and dinner can be taken on the terrace, but be aware that alcohol is not served and drinks can be expensive. The hotel has a pleasant garden area with two swimming pools, but they get sunlight only for a few hours a day, and can be cold. A hammam with sauna and body scrub and massage treatments is open to guests. Wi-Fi is available throughout (though can be spotty in places), and on-site parking is free of charge.