My daughter and I recently spent 5 nights at this hotel. I was very concerned, having read the bad reviews, but I needn't have worried. The staff were, without exception, very pleasant, polite and helpful. Breakfasts are excellent - lots of choice, with masses of fresh fruit. Yes, the outdoor pool is small but when we were there it wasn't being used very much anyway. (Unfortunately there was building going on at the time, next to the hotel, and the builders could gaze right into the pool area.) We used the Spa (manicure, pedicure and foot massage) and again the staff were very pleasant. Attached to the hotel is a French-style cafe which sells, amongst other things, the most wonderful cakes and pastries. Nearby there is a very pretty, reasonably priced Italian restaurant called Alizia, which is only a 5-10 minute walk away (on the right hand side of Rue Ahmed Chouhada Chawki, just past the bank). We hired a guide (his name is in the TimeOut publication) for a half day, which I would recommend. All in all, we had a wonderful time.

We went to Marrakech for a short 4 day break as we wanted something different. The reviews on this webiste were terrible for most of the Hotels in the area, so after carefull research, we picked the Hivernage spa. The hotel has a lovely reception area which isdecorated in moden purples and browns. We had a nice welcome with some Turkish tea and everyone was very polite. We had to wait over an hour for our room so we just sat in reception and had a drink. Our room was really nice. The bathroom was the best part. There was rose petals scattered around and some nice towel art. The tiles were all green and brown clay and we had robes and slippers. We had twin beds which didn't push together well and no view. The TV doesn't have any English channels except CNN and the mini bar (we just drank the water) was very expensive. We arrived late so just went for a swim and had dinner in the restuarant. The spa pool was great. Its very small but warm with oranges on the side. The first time we used it, we had it all to ourselves whichw as really relaxing. However, it is used as part of treatments so the next time there was a rather large lady 'running' around the water, panting and making strange whistling sounds. Very odd. The restuarant has lovely food although we were made to feel very unwelcome, had to wait an eternity to pay and the bill was HUGE! The part that ruined out stay was the excursions. We booked to go on 2 trips; atlas mountains and sahara desert. We were RIPPED OFF. The first trip we thought was ok at the time as we were in-experienced. We went on a long journey stopping at lots of shops where people, mostly children, constantly begged you to buy anything from them and followed you around constantly begging you to buy something. When we got to a village, that was it, tour over. Anti-climax, unless, you climbed up to a waterfall. We had a nice climb, huge health and saftey issues and still people begging all the way up to the top. When we came down, the guide held his hand out and said that part was extra. We then went for lunch as had pre-paid as advised bu the hotel. We were the only ones, all the other tourists were cross with us as they wanted to go back. So they sat. We had to spend ages looking for the driver to confirm we had paid and then had some dodgy meat (which was raw) to eat. The other tourists were moaning so had a free lunch of our oranges. The next trip we had was a 4 hour bus ride, and that was about it. We went to the edge of the desert and surprisingly stopped at a 'herbal doctor' who tried to sell us everything. We were literally all shut in a room with him. One tourist remarked that each bus driver seemed to have a lot of cousins. Then we went for lunch and everyone had pre-paid this time. It was nice but on the way back as the driver was driving so fast around a bend and sheer drop on the road, my partner threw up his dinner. When talking to the tourist, we realised we had been charged about ?20 more each than everyone else. "That's what you get for staying 5*" said one. We asked about this striaight away when we returned. The man said we had a 'special rate' I queried how could paying more be special when we received exactly the same as everyone else. He said he would phone the company but wasn't happy. All the staff looked at us like we were awful. He phoned us later in our room and said the tour opperator would give us about ?20 back. I said what about the rest and he said, if they must, the hotel would take it out of their own pocket. Which of course, i agreed to. After that, we received dirty looks and rude service until we left. Tips: Everyone thinks you are rich because you are a Westerner and will try to get money from you. Do not let anyone give you directions as they won't leave you alone until they get money. Marrakech feels very dangerous and intimidating for the inexperienced travellor. When you go out, expect the meat to be raw and bread to have had flies all over it. Go to the new town at night for nice restaurants.

We booked our 4 days stay in hivernage hotel and when i read all the negative comments about the hotel and its staff i was quite upset with myself, that i should have checked this before but decided to go a head with the booking as their wasnt much i could do. To my surprise, the hotel was great. The beds were ultra comfortable and the room was nice, clean with all the amenities. The staff to our surprise were very helpful as well ( may be they have finally taken action to all those complains) very friendly and co operative. The boy at concierge helped her book excursion to atlas mountain and our trip to essouira. They helped us in changing our travellers cheque and everything else we asked for. I would definitely go back to this hotel!!!

A good "middle of the road" hotel with more disadvantages, than advantages but I do question the 5 star grading The rooms are comfortable and the servicing of them very good. We stayed on a "bed & breakfast" basis but you will obviously not find any bacon for breakfast, nor a toasting machine. The restaurant is open to non residents and was of an acceptable standard. The situation, although near to the walls of the Medina,involves a long walk around the building site that is currently applicable as a result of the modernistation of the Mamounia Hotel before you can get to the centre of the Medina. The pavement provided for this detour is totally inadequate for pedestrians. In the opposite direction, the Ville Nouvelle, has an abundance of shops and restaurants of varying standards Sadly, the location of the Hivernage Hotel is mid-way between these 2 points and you are faced with either a long walk in either direction or being "ripped off" by the Petit Taxi drivers who will not use their meters. The main disappointment of the hotel was the Swimming Pool. This is very small in size, triangular in shape and very deep - although no diving is permitted. It is surrounded on 2 sides by the hotel and there is currently a building site next door. Consequently, the sun does not shine on the pool until approx 1.00pm, the water is very cold and the maximum number of sun loungers that we counted on any one day was 15. Therefore, if you wish to obtain a lounger, you have to copy our "German" friends and place your newspaper on it before 9.00am in the morning. Yes, we shall probably go to Marrakech again (in spite of the constant harassment by beggars and the thieves at the bus station) but will probably stay at the Es Saadi where we had an excellent evening meal.

I found my stay at this hotel thoroughly enjoyable. The hotel is an excellent base for visiting the sights of Marrakech. The rooms are comfortable and maintain a high standard of cleanliness. I found members of staff helpful and obliging at all times. The hotel has good facilitys and a first rate restaurant