Your accommodation
Please note that for 2008, we are pleased to offer an exciting new selection of properties in Marrakech, Taroudannt, in the South and Oualidia on the Atlantic Coast.
We have handpicked a selection of, charming riads, maison d'hôtes and 5* hotels in Morocco. In the desert area accommodation is in authentic kasbahs or kasbah-style hotels.
We have tried to describe as accurately as possible the general style and layout of all our properties. To follow, please find further details on accommodation standards and other useful information. We want to help you book the right holiday and therefore recommend you discuss your requirements with us.
Air-conditioning & Heating
We have indicated in the 'Accommodation details' where a property has air-conditioning, or heating facilities for cooler evenings in the winter months.
Alcohol
As Morocco is a Muslim country, alcohol is not as readily available as it is in non-Muslim countries. It may not be served at all or choice may be limited. This is particularly relevant in hotels, riads and restaurants outside the main cities and in the south of the country. Sometimes small riads not serving alcohol may allow you to bring your own.
Animals and Wildlife
As in all rural communities, indigenous animals are an essential part of the way of life. The braying of a donkey, crow of a cockerel or the barking of a dog is not a complaint that receives much sympathy from the locals!
Care should be taken to minimise the presence of insects in your accommodation. Keep surfaces clean, dispose of refuse regularly, and ensure that food is not left uncovered.
Cats and dogs are often resident where an owner or manager lives on the property. They are normally docile and enjoy making friends. Their domain is generally restricted to the public areas of the property and gardens. If you are allergic to cats and/or dogs please ensure that you check the suitability of your chosen accommodation with us prior to confirming your booking.
Beds
Please let us know your room preference (double or twin) at the time of booking. We will make every effort to request your choice to the hotel, but cannot gurantee your choice will be available. Please note that riads normally have a limited number of 'twin' rooms available. Some riads and hotels have family rooms and suites which will accommodate two adults and up to 2 children. Special prices will apply, so please ask for details.
Breakfasts
Bookings in our riads and hotels include breakfast. Unless specified otherwise, this is usually a Moroccan style breakfast, which usually consists of bread with home-made jams and honey, Moroccan pancakes, yoghurts, fruit and sometimes eggs.
Check-in & check-out
Unless otherwise specified in your travel documents, you will usually be able to occupy your hotel/riad room after 2.00pm and you must vacate it by approximately 12.00pm
Cots & highchairs
Cots and highchairs must be requested at the time of booking (a charge may apply to be paid locally). These may vary in size, age and style so we recommend that guests check as to their suitability prior to using them. For you own peace of mind, you may prefer to take your own.
Electricity
The electric current in Morocco is 220 volts/50Hz (but older buildings may still use 110V). Electricity sockets fit the European round two-pin plugs so take an international adaptor.
Half Board
Hotels with half board include breakfast and dinner, whish is usually a fixed menu with ot without a choice of dishes on it. The evening menu is usually available earlier and you should make the hotel aware as soon as possible if any dishes will not be suitable. Please advise us at the time of booking if you have any special dieatry requirements.
Health & Safety
Simpson Travel is committed to raising the standards of Health & Safety throughout all our programmes. Our guests' safety and well being is of the highest importance to us. However, please note that since many of our properties have unique character and individuality, it is not always possible to meet the same exacting standards that we enjoy in the UK.
We ask you to familiarise yourself with the property on arrival, particularly when travelling with children, and raise any concerns you have with your local overseas representative or agent.
Hotel star ratings
Most riads and hotels in Morocco do not have official ratings as in many other countries. Those with star ratings are not EU ratings and they are not always representative of the hotel's standard of rooms and service adn differ from country to country. If you require further information on ratings of a particular hotel, please let us know.
Internet Access
Most of our properties now have Internet access at the Reception desk and a growing number, particularly in Marrakech, have Internet access in their bedrooms. Where Internet access is available, this is mentioned under the individual 'Accommodation details'.
Kasbah hotels
hotels are built of ochre-red pisé (reinforced mud bricks) in the style of castellated castles. Accommodation is simple but comfortable, and friendly service makes up for any lack of sophistication. All bedrooms have en suite shower or bath room. Halfboard is included in the price which consists of a simple 3-course meal and a breakfast of bread, local fig jam, honey, fruit juice and sometimes eggs.
Lifts
Most riads in Morocco do not have a lift, however, we can request ground floor rooms if required. Please do not hesitate to check with us, should this be a necessity.
Maison d'hôtes
Indicates a small private house or home, which has opened its doors to visitors and is run as a private guesthouse, which vary in style from small riads to exclusive villas with pools. The owners generally live-in and are on hand to offer guests advice and a personal service. Breakfast and meal arrangements are the same as described above, under 'riad details'.
Noise and building works
Traffic, road work, animals and other sounds form part of everyday life. We hope to have indicated in our descriptions the possibility of some kinds of noise, however what constitutes ‘noise’ to one person may not be a problem for another. In a Muslim country such as Morocco, the muezzin’s call to prayer takes place five times a day and you should bear this and general daily activity in mind if you are staying in the city medina and if you are a light sleeper. Please let us know if you have any special needs regarding this. Occasionally, building work is unavoidable as we do not control such work and may not know about it in advance. Whenever possible, we will notify you of any work that we believe may affect your holiday.
Riads
Riads are traditional houses situated in the Medina (Old Town) which have been renovated and turned into tasteful guesthouses. They vary in size and style but all offer guests the opportunity to experience authentic accommodation in stylish Moroccan surroundings.
They are usually entered through a wooden door in the wall of a narrow alleyway in the Medina, and from the outside look quite unpretentious. However, once inside it is quite a different story - a typical riad is arranged around a cool central courtyard, often ornately decorated with coloured zelliges (mosaics).
There is usually a small fountain or garden with orange and lemon trees, and sometimes a beautiful pool. The ground floor usually comprises of a lounge, dining room and small b'hous (tiny nooks, with sofas and cushions to relax or dine in). Occasionally there might be one or two bedrooms at this level.
The bedrooms are usually situated on the first and second floors and overlook the courtyard down below. They are accessed by a steep stone staircase, as is the roof terrace, which provides seating and awnings, where guests can relax or have dinner, and listen to the intermittent sound of the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer. This is also the place to sit and relax in the evenings and enjoy the wonderful views across the Medina.
Bedrooms (mainly with double bed) tend to be small, long, narrow, shady and cool with small shuttered windows and a door overlooking the interior courtyard. Suites will be similar in design but with more space for a sitting area and sometimes an open fireplace. Bathrooms are usually small with shower/wc (although some are available with bath on request at selected riads) and are decorated with brightly coloured tadelakt or tiled walls.
Riads in Marrakech and Fès tend to be larger and more ornately decorated than those in Essaouira, which are generally smaller and decorated more simply, usually painted in white with splashes of colour, reflecting the colours of the sea. However, each riad will reflect the character, taste and style of its individual owner
Satellite television
Where we have indicated that satellite television is available, we cannot guarantee that stations broadcasting in English will always be available. If this is an important factor to you, please check with us in the UK office prior to confirming your booking.
Security deposits (Riads for private rental)
If renting a riad for exclusive use you will be required to lodge a security deposit against any breakages, damage, losses, extra cleaning or outstanding accounts, which you may have incurred during your stay and/or due to your negligence. This must be done by Credit or Debit Card at the time of booking by providing authorisation for us to deduct (within 21 days of your return home) any advised charges from your card – up to the maximum amount of £1500 per booking. In the event that you do not have a Credit or Debit Card you will be required to send us a cheque. The specific amount required for your chosen property will be advised to you at the time of booking. In the unlikely event that any damage to the property exceeds the maximum applicable amount, then you will be responsible for the full cost.
The amount will vary according to the cost of the riad and we will ask you to lodge your credit or debit card at the time of confirmation of booking as a security. This provides us with authorisation to deduct (within 21 days of your return home) any advised charges from your card - up to the maximum amount of £1,500 per booking. In the event that you do not have a credit or debit card, you will be required to send us a cheque. The specific amount required for your chosen property will be advised to you at the time of booking. However, in the unlikely event that any damage to the property exceeds the maximum applicable amount, then you will be responsible for the full cost. Cancellation charges will vary according to each property, so please check with one of our sales consultants for details and further information.
Smoking
Please note that there are very few ‘non-smoking’ bedrooms and public areas in Morocco.
Swimming pools
Riads with pool tend to be the first to get booked, so please ensure you give plenty of notice to get the riad of your choice.
Swimming pool measurements (where provided) are given in the main brochure, but please note that all pool dimensions are approximate only. Pools may be fresh or seawater and are generally unheated (unless specified otherwise). Very few pools have covers, fencing or life rings, so children must be supervised at all times.
Telephones and mobile phones
Many riads and hotels have telephones in the room or at the Reception desk. For phoning home, we recommend that you take your GSM phone with you. The coverage in Morocco is generally good, except in some rural or desert areas, where you might not always get a signal.
Vegetarians & other dietary requirements
Guests who have special dietary requirements, should inform us at the time of booking and provide full details of these requirements. Whilst we will endeavour to ensure that that the riad or hotel tries to make these special arrangements for you, you must appreciate that the range of products available in Morocco (such as soya based and wheat/gluten free foods) is limited, particularly outside the main cities. However, the Moroccan diet is generally very healthy, with fresh fruit and vegetables readily available.
Water
We advise you to drink bottled water at all times. Please ensure that you drink a least two litres of water a day, to ensure that you do not become dehydrated in the heat. Please take particular care with children and make sure that they drink sufficient water at all times during the day. |
