Sobol le Chant des Oliviers

We booked this hotel in Marrakech as the final leg of our holiday, hoping to relax in a resort with a nice restaurant and gym to ease back into our routine before heading home. Unfortunately, it turned out to be the most stressful part of our trip. From the moment we arrived, everything went wrong. Upon check-in, we were forced to pay the full amount of our stay in cash, even though we only had a card. They drove us to three different banks to withdraw enough money before we were even allowed to see our room! To make matters worse, they tried to overcharge us on the city tax, demanding 50 MAD per person when the official rate for Marrakech is a fixed 28 MAD per person. The room itself was mediocre at best—cold, with a showerhead spraying in all directions, and towels that were never replaced during our stay. The property also suffers from constant electricity blackouts, and the internet would sometimes stop working for an entire day. The restaurant experience was equally disastrous. Upon arrival, we were informed the chef was “on holiday,” leaving us with only three tajine options—the same three options for both lunch and dinner. We ordered dinner at 6 PM hoping to eat by 8 PM, but our food didn’t arrive until after 9 PM. Breakfast was no better—every morning, we waited over an hour to get anything on the table. Items came in a bizarre order: jams without bread, teapots without cups. It was a frustrating dance every single meal. On day three, we were told we could finally order anything from the menu because the chef was back. To our surprise, the same staff member was still cooking—clearly, the “chef on holiday” story was a lie, likely because they didn’t have food stocked earlier. The property itself is in terrible condition. The walls, pathways, and furniture are all old, broken, and neglected. The gym is a joke—a pile of dusty, rusty metal. The hammam? Out of order, and judging by the state of the rest of the property, probably a mold-infested health hazard. The “big boss” lives on-site in an attached apartment, parking his flashy Jaguar in plain view. He also throws loud parties on the property, disrupting the supposed tranquility of the resort. One evening, while we were having dinner, he stormed into the kitchen shouting at the staff and causing a commotion as if throwing things around. When warned there were guests dining, he emerged in a fur jacket, flustered, and asked if everything was okay. We were so uncomfortable, we quickly said yes and left. To top it all off, the hotel is 30 minutes from Marrakech with no shuttle service. Every trip to the city costs around 300 MAD each way. And remember how the card machine didn’t work on the first day, forcing us to pay in cash? Miraculously, we were able to pay for our meals by card later on. This is not a resort—it’s a poorly run, crumbling hotel that I would never recommend to anyone. Save yourself the frustration and avoid this place at all costs.

This is an extremely wonderful place. Fantastic venue with great service and delicious food. A peaceful and charming time I spent there. Perfect for chilling and relaxing. Recommend to everyone who is going to Morocco. For sure I’m gonna visit again!