Riu Tikida Garden Marrakech

6 of us have just spent a great week at the RIU Tikida Garden hotel, we had a early flight and had booked a private transfer from the airport so arrived around 11am, wrist bands issued and we used the bar and restaurant facilities until the rooms were ready We were in room 386 which overlooked the main pools, our friends were also on the third floor overlooking the quiet pool. Rooms were modern, spacious and well equipped, and spotlessly clean. Food was very good, plenty of choice, we enjoyed that the evening meal was in a different restaurant and while it was still buffet style it had more of a restaurant feel. We ate in the Al a carte which was beautiful. The service throughout the hotel is amazing and all the staff are so polite friendly and efficient. My friend and I had a facial in the spa, which again was lovely. We’d booked a private walking tour to the Medina and the souks, which was super, we were picked up the hotel and taken to our guide then brought back to the hotel, well worth doing . Unfortunately as with other reviews the air conditioning was a problem, it quite simply wasn’t cold enough and the weather was hot, it certainly needs addressing. We had an absolutely fab time in another great RIU which we always try to stay in .

My friend and I did a 2-week stay at this hotel and what an amazing place to be! This is the first holiday in a long time where I haven’t got cold feet and started missing home within 5 days. We’re currently on our last night and I could happily do another week here.

Before I start, I must give a shout-out to all the staff. What a wonderful team they have working here! Everybody greets you as they’re walking around, some have banter with you, but overall everyone is just so friendly. I cannot fault any of them, and they work so, so hard so that the guests here can enjoy their experience! The whole resort is cleaned what feels like 24/7, I’ve never seen so much cleaning and it shows!!

A MASSIVE MASSIVE SHOUT-OUT TO AHMED (ENTERTAINER), WHO MADE OUR HOLIDAY WHAT IT WAS! An absolute credit to this establishment. I want to take him back with me and work with me!

Another shout-out to Mohammed (I think he is maybe a supervisor for the evening dinner service). What an absolutely lovely person who made sure we were comfortable, topped up with drinks and that the food was okay every time, even with somebody serving us who seemed to be in their own section.

Check-in & arrival

We got a refreshing welcome drink on arrival and the process was very quick. We arrived at 12pm and check-in to your room isn’t until 3pm. They let you know via email if your room is ready beforehand and take you to your room. We were in our room and checked in by 1pm.

The room

There are a lot of reviews mentioning bad air con, etc., but we could not fault our room in the slightest! Spacious, 2 double beds, a lovely little balcony, spacious bathroom with the usual shower head as well as a rainfall shower head, and perfectly working air con. It was that good that sometimes I was waking up cold and putting a jumper on, which was absolute bliss for me.

The pools

There are 4 outdoor pools to enjoy, each perfectly suited for whatever experience you want. There’s a quiet, relaxing pool perfect for chilling and reading, and the main pool has music playing all day with a couple of water activities throughout the day. Whatever the vibe, they have it!

There are ample sunbeds, but just a word of warning: if you want a decent sunbed that avoids the majority of the shade, you will need to be down there by 7:30am/8am.

The bar

The bar area is very clean, well air-conditioned and spacious, with two bars for when it gets busy in the evenings. There’s a coffee machine, slushie machine, soda machine, water — whatever you need, they will probably be able to provide!

Service is quick and efficient, and sometimes the staff (if they have the time) will make small talk to get to know you. They’ll remember you and create a great rapport with you.

The drinks are strong and, to my surprise, this is the first all-inclusive holiday I have stayed on that uses proper spirits and not the watered-down ones that the majority of all-inclusive places use.

Food & restaurants

There are three restaurants: one for breakfast, lunch and snacks; one for dinner; and one for the à la carte experience, which you can book one visit to for free.

We didn’t dine in the à la carte restaurant as we are both fussy eaters, so we stuck to the other two.

For breakfast and lunch, you walk in, sit down, get your food and get your drinks. Sometimes the staff ask if you want any drinks and they’ll grab them for you, but don’t be lazy and go get them yourself! You’ll be able to see all the different varieties of drinks and food you can get at the same time!

Both of these services are very relaxed, so don’t go in with the expectation of being waited on hand and foot. This worked perfectly for both of us as we don’t like to make a fuss and we just like to grab some food, a couple of drinks and head back to the pool or go and enjoy Marrakech.

Dinner

I’m giving dinner its own paragraph because you cannot fault the service here. The staff welcome you as you’re walking up to the entrance, they take you over, get your drinks and are very, very attentive.

There is not one evening where we felt we were not looked after well. On point every time!

The food in our first week was absolutely incredible. We did not struggle at all for food and left with full bellies every time, whilst enjoying every piece we picked up.

The second week, the food wasn’t as good. I’m not sure why, but it did the job and it didn’t affect my experience in the slightest, so I didn’t feel the need to mention it to anyone.

People with allergies are taken around personally by the chef, who tells you what you can and can’t have. I don’t have food allergies, so this isn’t an experience I can comment on 100%, but it was nice to know that if I did, I would be looked after and wouldn’t have to worry.

Entertainment

Entertainment in the evening is between 9pm–11pm, with sometimes slower music and sometimes upbeat music played beforehand between 6pm–7pm.

Is it the best entertainment for an adults-only holiday? Not really.

The only time I really enjoyed the entertainment was when one of the two main entertainment team members (Ahmed and another whose name I didn’t catch…) were hosting. Sadly, this was only a couple of times a week.

It was what it was and, again, it didn’t really affect our experience as we either made our own fun or went back to our room a bit earlier to chill and read a book (wild, right? Haha!)

Other facilities

Things I didn’t use but worth noting: there is a spa, gym, indoor pool (chargeable during summer as it’s a different company that owns it), and a sports area for football, tennis, etc.

11 out of 10! - People reading this and visiting the establishment and Marrakech, please make your own experiences and don’t be put off by what other stories guests tell you! I’m glad we didn’t listen to stories we were told and experienced stuff for ourselves and we had an amazing time inside and outside of Tikida Garden.

Thank you so much for one of the best, maybe even THE best, holidays I have experienced so far!!