Friday, May 9, 2008
Just wanted to touch base and let you know how our trip went......I'm happy to say that my wife thought it was her best trip ever, and she has traveled a lot!!
We were very pleased with our drivers...Both Aziz and Hamid were very knowledgable and helpful and expert drivers through the Moroccan traffic. We liked it that they allowed us to dictate our itinerary for the most part. The only thing we were mildly disapointed with in regards to the drivers was the place we stopped for lunch on our arrival date. The place was very 'touristy', expensive and the food was mediocre at best. I thought the service was good but the waiter snubbed us after we tipped 12%.
Our stay in Fez was the best....we liked the riad, the staff and the meals were great. I'm thankful that our tour through the medina was guided or I would still be looking for a way out from that maze!!
Thanks to Jeff our Marrakech stay was a disaster only the first day. It is our opinions that the Dar Chems rates no better than a 2-stars. On entry you immediately noticed stains on the carpet and a very enclosed feeling. When shown our room I couldn't believe it was for 2 people with a small living space and smaller bathroom....While the people at Chems were hospitable, the food, while edible, was the worst we had in Morocco.
But as I mentioned, Jeff worked quickly when we called to advise him of the problem to get us into the Riad Jasmine and we very much enjoyed our stay there.....great people and personal service.
We had a great view of the ocean from our room in Essaoiura but thought the riad was more hotel than riad. Again, the people and service were super and we really enjoyed the funky feel of the town. However, we would have been happier at a more traditional riad.
Thanks for your help in planning our trip.
We were very pleased with our drivers...Both Aziz and Hamid were very knowledgable and helpful and expert drivers through the Moroccan traffic. We liked it that they allowed us to dictate our itinerary for the most part. The only thing we were mildly disapointed with in regards to the drivers was the place we stopped for lunch on our arrival date. The place was very 'touristy', expensive and the food was mediocre at best. I thought the service was good but the waiter snubbed us after we tipped 12%.
Our stay in Fez was the best....we liked the riad, the staff and the meals were great. I'm thankful that our tour through the medina was guided or I would still be looking for a way out from that maze!!
Thanks to Jeff our Marrakech stay was a disaster only the first day. It is our opinions that the Dar Chems rates no better than a 2-stars. On entry you immediately noticed stains on the carpet and a very enclosed feeling. When shown our room I couldn't believe it was for 2 people with a small living space and smaller bathroom....While the people at Chems were hospitable, the food, while edible, was the worst we had in Morocco.
But as I mentioned, Jeff worked quickly when we called to advise him of the problem to get us into the Riad Jasmine and we very much enjoyed our stay there.....great people and personal service.
We had a great view of the ocean from our room in Essaoiura but thought the riad was more hotel than riad. Again, the people and service were super and we really enjoyed the funky feel of the town. However, we would have been happier at a more traditional riad.
Thanks for your help in planning our trip.
Labels: Morocco Testimony
Thursday, May 8, 2008
We have only praise for our tour arranged for our party of 3. It was to be 4 in our group, but at the last moment, one had to withdraw from the trip.
We came across your group on the internet, & while sometimes this could be a hazard, as we didn’t have any recommendations, it worked out better than expected & good value for money.
After our initial night in Casablanca, we met by our guide, Rashid, who over the week went out of his way to ensure that this would be a fantastic experience in his country.
We had 3 nights in The Riad Myra in Fes, & it was one of the most stunning & delightfully beautiful accommodation that we have stayed in, over many years of touring the world!
The staff were uniquely friendly & helpful, the food “to die for” & as for the room, it was indescribably stunning. This Riad was by all reports a Harem many years ago, and on entering our room, all you had to do is breathe in & sense what may have gone on in days gone by. The 4 posted bed, the brightly coloured Arabic tiled walls, the high timbered ceiling, & the huge, thick heavily bolted doors that led onto the gallery overlooking the open court yard below made this place completely different to anything we’ve previously experienced. We dined in every night, took breakfast on the roof top terrace, & had a Haman in the steam room.
Couldn’t recommend Riad Myra any higher, a real pleasure to be a guest in such an exquisite surrounding.
Our arrival at Riad Dar Chems in Marrakech, was a let down in comparison, but Jeff made hasty arrangements, & we were moved. At Dar Chems, the rooms were dirty, dim & the terrace appeared to be either a storage facility or a collection area for all the last few years’ furnishings. The roof top alcoves could have been exotic & a place to relax after a hard day in the Souk, but it hadn’t been cleaned or tidied in a very long time.
In summary, we would definitely return to Morocco, would love to see the Sahara, & The High Atlas, but only if we had the pleasure of Rashid & his fellow guides to show us around.
He & his brothers are a real asset to your organisation, & very proud citizens of Morocco
We came across your group on the internet, & while sometimes this could be a hazard, as we didn’t have any recommendations, it worked out better than expected & good value for money.
After our initial night in Casablanca, we met by our guide, Rashid, who over the week went out of his way to ensure that this would be a fantastic experience in his country.
We had 3 nights in The Riad Myra in Fes, & it was one of the most stunning & delightfully beautiful accommodation that we have stayed in, over many years of touring the world!
The staff were uniquely friendly & helpful, the food “to die for” & as for the room, it was indescribably stunning. This Riad was by all reports a Harem many years ago, and on entering our room, all you had to do is breathe in & sense what may have gone on in days gone by. The 4 posted bed, the brightly coloured Arabic tiled walls, the high timbered ceiling, & the huge, thick heavily bolted doors that led onto the gallery overlooking the open court yard below made this place completely different to anything we’ve previously experienced. We dined in every night, took breakfast on the roof top terrace, & had a Haman in the steam room.
Couldn’t recommend Riad Myra any higher, a real pleasure to be a guest in such an exquisite surrounding.
Our arrival at Riad Dar Chems in Marrakech, was a let down in comparison, but Jeff made hasty arrangements, & we were moved. At Dar Chems, the rooms were dirty, dim & the terrace appeared to be either a storage facility or a collection area for all the last few years’ furnishings. The roof top alcoves could have been exotic & a place to relax after a hard day in the Souk, but it hadn’t been cleaned or tidied in a very long time.
In summary, we would definitely return to Morocco, would love to see the Sahara, & The High Atlas, but only if we had the pleasure of Rashid & his fellow guides to show us around.
He & his brothers are a real asset to your organisation, & very proud citizens of Morocco
Labels: Morocco Testimony