Iberostar Club Palmeraie Marrakech

Overall Rating: 3/5

Overall, we had a nice stay at Iberostar Waves Club Palmeraie Marrakech, but there were several areas that let the hotel down. While we enjoyed our holiday, it's not somewhere we would choose to return to.

Check-in & Arrival

The room we were initially allocated was a long walk from reception, the main pool and other facilities. I wasn't prepared to make that journey several times a day, so we requested a different room. The original room also felt quite dark and dated.

Check-in took place in the main reception area, which was very warm as there didn't seem to be any air conditioning, making the arrival experience uncomfortable.

There was also a female could be a manager (I'm unsure of her name) who appeared to greet and interact warmly with certain guests throughout our stay, yet repeatedly walked straight past us without even asking if we were enjoying our holiday etc. It felt quite selective and insincere when viewing her welcoming guests. Ironically, the only time she spoke to us was on our last day to ask what time we were leaving- says it all!

Reception

The reception team, particularly Sami and the ladies on reception, were excellent. They were always friendly, helpful and happy to offer advice about getting around Marrakech and answered any questions we had. They are a real credit to the hotel.

Spa

The spa itself was very good. The hammam treatment felt a little rushed, although the therapist still did a good job.

Unfortunately, the massage therapist wasn't very engaging. She didn't ask whether the pressure was comfortable or communicate throughout the treatment, which made the experience feel impersonal. I wouldn't book with the same therapist again.

Bars & Public Areas

Service at the bar was often slow, usually because there was only one member of staff serving. The bar and indoor public areas also became very hot, and they really need better air conditioning.

Pool

The main pool was enjoyable, although the usual sunbed situation existed, with guests reserving loungers early with towels. We did the same, but on more than one occasion people simply sat on our towels, which was frustrating and inconsiderate.

The towel collection system also needs reviewing. Paying a deposit for towels is understandable, but having to walk such a long distance just to exchange or return them during limited opening hours wasn't very convenient. They should put a towel hut in both locations main pool and zen.

Entertainment

The resort was much louder than expected. Even without attending the evening entertainment, it could clearly be heard from our room, making it difficult to relax or get an early night's sleep for others who don't like the noise. its just overly loud for no reason.

Food & Drinks

Lunch and dinner offered a good variety, and we always found something enjoyable to eat. The BBQ depending on what they had were particularly good.

Breakfast also had an excellent selection. A special mention goes to the gentleman making the fresh doughnuts each morning—he did a fantastic job.

As someone with food allergies, I felt the allergen information could be improved. Some dishes were not clearly labelled, and there was an obvious risk of cross-contamination because guests regularly mixed serving utensils between dishes.

There were also far too many wasps, bees and flies around the snack bar and outdoor bar area. With food, fruit and garnishes such as limes left uncovered, it was easy to see why insects were attracted. This definitely needs better management.

Outstanding Staff Member

A huge thank you to Bouchara, who consistently provided exceptional customer service. She always greeted us with a smile, remembered our drinks, looked after us every time we visited and genuinely made us feel welcome. She is a fantastic member of staff and truly deserves recognition for her hard work.

Rooms

The room itself was clean and comfortable, but I really wasn't a fan of the design. The bathroom doors, handles and overall finish felt dated and impractical.

Unfortunately, one of my family members also lost a headscarf during our stay, which we believe may have been accidentally taken away with the bedding during housekeeping.

Using the hotel app to request assistance was very unreliable. We requested an iron, which took several days to arrive, and when the air conditioning repeatedly stopped working, no one came to resolve the issue despite us reporting it.

Shuttle Bus

The complimentary shuttle bus into Marrakech was very convenient and a useful service.

Gym, Pool & Opening Hours

One area that could definitely be improved is the opening hours of the facilities. The gym, spa and pool all open quite late and close too early. During the summer months, when temperatures are extremely high, it would make much more sense for the gym to open from around 7:00 am, allowing guests to exercise before the heat becomes intense. It would also be beneficial for both the gym and pool to remain open later into the evening, especially as many guests are still enjoying the warm weather after dinner.

The gym itself could also do with updating. Several pieces of equipment felt outdated, and some were either not working properly or were out of service. A refurbishment with newer, well-maintained equipment would greatly improve the guest experience.

Overall

Despite the issues mentioned above, we still had an enjoyable holiday. There are some excellent members of staff who work very hard and deserve recognition, but there are also several areas that need significant improvement, particularly customer service consistency, room maintenance, communication, insect control and the towel system.

Sadly, although we had a pleasant stay overall, we would not return.

The hotel and grounds are beautifully maintained, spotless, and create a lovely atmosphere from the moment you arrive. Most of the staff are friendly, welcoming, and helpful, although a small number of the bar staff could be a little more engaging and smile a bit more.

The food is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the hotel. There is an excellent variety available every day, the food is always hot, and the quality is consistently high. Breakfast is particularly impressive, with a wonderful selection of fresh fruit. The restaurant staff deserve special recognition for their outstanding service, professionalism, and attention to guests throughout our stay.

The entertainment programme is excellent, with enjoyable evening shows and activities for all ages. The poolside water aerobics sessions are great fun, and the entertainment team work tirelessly to create a friendly and lively atmosphere. Their enthusiasm and energy add greatly to the overall holiday experience. A big well done to all the staff involved.

We stayed in an interconnecting room, which was extremely convenient and worked very well for our family. The bedrooms were comfortable, clean, and well-maintained, although they are somewhat basic in terms of décor and furnishings compared to the high standard of the rest of the resort. It is also worth mentioning that we experienced no issues whatsoever with cockroaches or any other insects during our stay.

There are only a few areas where the hotel could improve. The Wi-Fi can be a little unreliable at times, particularly in the bedrooms, and the television options are quite limited, with only a small number of UK channels available. It would also be a welcome addition if the rooms had smart TVs to allow access to streaming services such as Netflix.

The cocktails were somewhat disappointing and did not match the quality or presentation you might expect from an all-inclusive resort or other iberostar hotels. It's also worth noting that some premium branded drinks are not included in the package, with items such as Baileys available at an additional charge.

On the positive side, the spirit measures are sensible and more comparable to those typically served in Ireland or the UK, rather than the much larger measures often found in some Spanish resorts. For many guests, this may actually be appreciated as it allows you to enjoy a drink without it being overly strong.

Overall, this is a fantastic hotel offering excellent food, great facilities, friendly staff, and a wonderful atmosphere. Despite a few minor areas for improvement, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay, would happily recommend the hotel to others, and would certainly consider returning in the future.

W stayed in June 2026 booked as a 4 star but it felt more like a 3 star. 2nd visit to this hotel. Positives....Staff were lovely and the gardens are beutifully kept. Negatives....It has become honestly like a little Benidorm, noisy and tired. Food was extremly repetitive and bland. Hotel itself tired and has not been kept to a 4 star standard it claims especially the bathrooms. Very dissapointed , would not return .