Boutique Hôtel Palais Masandoia

This is no where near a 5 star hotel. I can't believe it ever did qualify as a 5 star. My husband and I were appalled by it as an example of 5 star. We paid for a high level room and all we got was lots of space including a large outdoor patio with no appeal or privacy. Also the pool area was just a dust bowl The bed was fine and the staff were very good but the bathroom was terrible as was the food. There were better options in Erfoud that were cheaper. Do not be fooled by the pictures.

A welcome stop on the way to the Sahara! We were greeted personally in the large entrance hall where we were offered a traditional hand washing before being led to a smaller waiting area and served tea and cookies. The hallways, rooms and beautiful pool were quiet and enjoyable without the massive numbers that disembark from the buses. Here you get a more personalized approach. The dining room and bar area served delicious drinks with dinner and again a very generous and delicious breakfast was served before we had to leave. The hotel was clean, the grounds manicured and in spite of a few minor imperfections such as loose tiles, everything was wonderful! If you're looking for a quieter, more personalized and relaxed stay after a long trek to Erfoud, then please do consider Palais Masandoia.

I ended up in this hotel as the one I had been booked into was overbooked. We were welcomed by staff in local Berber dress. All staff were extremely welcoming. My bedroom was opulent and quite large with a well appointed bathroom which led on to a separate toilet. Robe and slippers provided. We only stayed over night but had a chance to look around this boutique hotel. An outdoor pool and an indoor pool that looked both enticing and relaxing. Breakfast was service. The table was laden with fruit cheeses and meats. After yogurt and fruits we were offered freshly cooked omelettes followed by bread and pastries with an array of jams. I asked for English tea, which can be a problem in Morocco, and was brought a box of many different types of tea. I only wish our stay here could have been longer to take advantage of this lovely relaxing place.

We arrived after a long day on the road. We were greeted with hand washing, tea, and a complete tour of the facility. The hotel has a lovely outdoor pool but if the weather is inclement, they also have an indoor pool. There is a cosy tea reading room as well as an enticing bar. The hotel had phoned our driver during the morning to see what we would like for dinner and while it was not on the menu, they made us a special lamb tangia. We enjoyed a Hammam and a massage while we were there and they were excellent. The staff we very friendly and accommodating and went out of their way to make sure we were well taken care of. We highly recommend this property.

After a long day on the road, we arrived at Palais Masandoia which looks a little forlorn as you approach across a patch of sandy ground. The welcome was warm but there was a feeling that check-in staff weren't over worked and so it turned out as there were few guests. A pity in many ways as it has great potential. The bedroom was large but rather stark with lighting which needed a revamp and modernisation. The building is traditional and very well maintained. Pool area was very pleasant and staff attentive. Dinner seemed to be a mainly tagine menu, though very appetising when served in the rather nice dining room trying to evoke a time past. Again, a feeling that it needed more guests to revive and create atmosphere, with a small number of staff doing a lot of work. Breakfast was very pleasant and taken out in the courtyard. In many ways it seems not to have fully recovered from the trauma of Covid and been able to win back guests. A great pity.

Biggest disappointment in lodging 0m this 7th day in Morocco. The Place was a showcase in it’s day and has fabulous bones/potential and the bar is exquisite. Covid and lack pf updating has obviously take it’s toll on this place. We are in the Santos Suite which is humongous. And if updated with electrical plugs. Better bathroom lighting, lamp lighting a tv that get reception and some decoration/ clean pillows and rugs, it would be spectacular. The aircondioners cannot get the rooms cool and the one in the bedroom is directly over the luggage stand which really was unfortunate because when we came back from dinner we discovered that dripped a bunch of condensation water into our suitcase. There is a huge patio that has a bench and umbrellaed table and could be world class fabulous with the addition of plants, pillows and perhaps a fountain or trellis. Dinner has to be scheduled the day before or early that day and the only choice is chicken, beef, lamb or veggie tangine, which is odd for a top rated place and I am sure they need your order so they can just go buy the ingredients. Then there are no liquids included with dinner, still water, and coffee are add-ons that you are presented a bill with when you take your last bite. The waiter also will let us know that he will not be your server in morning so we’d be needing to tip him before leaving dinner. Dinner was ample and included coffee, tea and orange juice. Waiter didn’t have a great grasp of English, Spanish or French, so in stead of eggs over easy my husband got plain omelet and instead of poached eggs I got hard boiled eggs, but it was all good because he was sweet. There is an exquisite inside pool and there is and outdoor pool too. Water is cool. There was only one others room occupied during our stay. And the lights are kept off and manually turned on for you as you walk around the onece as possibly filter palace like structure.