Villa Vanille

Recent Reviews: 117

• User:Passenger376180

  Trip type: Family

  Amazing home away from home.

  07 Jul 2019

  We had a wonderfull time in Villa Vanille. When you arrive you feel at home in a very short time. The hostess, the food, the personal service, the 2 swimmingpools, everything is beyond your expectations.We had room Toubkal and this room is big, bright, luxurious Moroccon style. With it's own terrace where we had breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are sunbeds around the pools, a childrenspool, a beautiful garden full of palmtrees, herbs and vegetables. We will go back here again. The hostess Imane is a great chef who makes excellent meals, homemade icecream and the best breakfast we had in Morocco.

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• User:cynti504

  Trip type: Couples

  Nightmare at Villa Vanille

  21 May 2017

  I want to start off by saying that Morocco is a beautiful country and I would strongly recommend that you visit, but please stay away from this hotel if you want to have anything that resembles a relaxing holiday. As seasoned travellers staying in villas, resorts, boutique and family run hotels across the world I must say that this is the worst hotel experience I have ever had.Check - inAfter a lengthy early flight my boyfriend and I were keen to check in to our hotel. The holiday itself was a surprise for my birthday so I was of course filled with anticipation and excitement. This feeling was quickly replaced with concern when we arrived at the hotel to meet locked gates and no sign of life. After waiting almost 25 minutes (whilst paying for a taxi on a meter) the doors were eventually opened by the gate man aka ‘security’; whose main job description appeared to be to sleep, as this happened almost every time we returned to the Villa. We were greeted by a groggy man who appeared agitated by us disturbing him. He could not speak English and called the cook who whilst she was lovely she was just as confused and panicked as we were. She communicated to the taxi that they knew nothing of our check in and advised that we would have to leave. With suitcase in tow we were of course worried but ever the optimists we recommended that she contact the manager. This is when we spoke to the house manager who apologised and told the cook to usher us in. There was no welcome; instead we were just told to follow the maintenance man (Mohammad). The cook then took us to a room, which appeared to be a random pick as she tried to open several rooms before. Rooms/GroundsThe room was rustic and authentic and I must say quite beautiful; it was however poorly lit and the views were abysmal. The grounds itself are beautiful, there are flowers lining the paths and it is quite tranquil. Whilst I appreciate the rustic aesthetic of the room it’s in need of repairs and a thorough clean. We are not prissy and can live with a bug here and there but a swarm of ants right by the bath does not set the scene for a romantic relaxing getaway. After we had settled we decided to explore the grounds. There is a main house which includes 2 large seating areas a dining table, kitchen and staff offices. We were keen to have a look at the pool but were halted by the guard horse at the door. I mean this horse was AGGRESSIVE. When we eventually got out the horse chased us and tried to ram me…not pretty. Where were the staff you ask? Again no where to be seen. Thankfully we eventually ditched the horse and settled on one of the deck chairs, only to have it attempt to ram us again. After another 15 minutes of what felt like bullfighting Mohammad eventually rocked up and shewed the horse away. By then we were exhausted and settled on metal deck chairs without cushions. GCSE French got us through asking Mohammad for some cushions and towels…Mohammad speaks no English, which would be fine if the management staff were there to assist. The pools are not as advertised. One pool (the larger one) was completely drained and we were later told not in use. The other pool whilst filled with water had a swarm of large flies (and I mean 100s) surrounding the edges. What looked like a small whirlpool area was also swarming with them. The aircon and heater did not work in the room throughout our stay. Mohammad the maintenance man had attempted to fix it but was unsuccessful. An alternative room was not offered despite it being freezing. We were told on the first day that the hotel was at full capacity yet we did not see a other guests our entire stay and the room next door was empty. FoodThe chef who’s name I unfortunately have forgotten was very kind. Whilst she did not speak any English she made us feel welcome and was very hospitable. Her tajine was the best I have ever tasted and she always brought us food with a smile. The breakfast however is nothing to write home about and extortionately priced. The fridges are not stocked with even water and drinks are also extortionately priced. Staff/ Customer ServiceA few hours after our initial check in we met Iman and Huda (Hotel managers). They appeared lovely at first albeit quite familiar. We were keen to get their opinion on the best restaurants and excursions etc…but as soon as we politely declined their suggestions we were treated like annoying squatters causing an inconvenience. We visited the Chez Ali – Fantasia Dinner and Show on our first night. Despite the heavy rain, the show was wonderful. Huda agreed to drop us there (5 minute drive) despite us insisting we were happy to catch a cab. This was in exchange for us paying via Iman who said that she would get us a discounted price because she is local. In hindsight I suspect she also took a healthy commission. It being our first time away we were keen to spend some quality time together, however we were badgered into having drinks with them. When we eventually got away to eat we decided to have a drink alone in a separate area. Iman then came to find us and pestered us to drink with them. We kindly declined and thanked them for the offer. When we wanted to leave a few hours later after the show we went to find the managers who had earlier promised to drop us back whenever we wanted. They appeared drunk, slurring their speech and greeted us with a frosty reception. They were both very standoffish and made myself and my boyfriend feel quite uncomfortable. The managers interrogated my boyfriend about our plans for the rest of our stay, they even went as far as harassing one of our taxi drivers to tell them where he had taken us. They repeatedly did this in my presence despite my boyfriend reminding them that what he had planned was a surprise. When my boyfriend told them that we had already booked activities and made dinner plans the interactions became even more cold. The following day we tried to speak to Iman about dinner but she was rude and uninterested. Things eventually came to a head on the second night when we decided to have dinner at the hotel. We were told earlier that the hotel served premium alcohol however when we inquired about the drinks selection we were only offered wine. Huda eventually told us that they had some brandy. Huda was extremely reluctant to serve the drink and tried to convince us to have something else. When we decided to go with the brandy she stormed off in a tantrum to collect it. We were given a measly half a shot worth, despite asking for doubles. We requested more and said we would be happy to pay any additional costs. Huda sulked and reluctantly poured a few droplets more. Later I unsuspectingly approached Huda in reception to ask about the DVD’s she said were available. Huda then proceeded to tell me ‘What is wrong with him, is he always like this’. I was of course taken aback by the insult and asked what she meant. She then proceeded to tell me that he was rude and untrustworthy; she added that all the staff felt the same way and had complained to her. I was utterly shocked as we had both been extremely polite and had let their poor service slide in a bid to enjoy our holiday. I of course defended my boyfriend and said that her statements were unfair. Huda tried to soften the blow by complimenting me in a clear attempt to divide and conquer, but we were not falling for it. The fact that we were in a foreign country in a secluded hotel left us feeling very uncomfortable and vulnerable. My boyfriend is a protector by nature so I was confident that we would be safe, but we were the only guests and thus spent the night on alert. We did not speak the local language and were made to feel like either a nuisance or pay check our entire stay. Needless to say, after such a nightmare we checked out and checked into a much better hotel the following day. Despite Huda’s poor attempt at an apology we were charged an overpriced bill on departure to add insult to injury. However, we were so keen to leave that we quickly paid the bill, left and went on to have a holiday of a lifetime.

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• User:Ron M

  Trip type: Family

  The most relaxing holiday

  30 Nov 2016

  Staff are ultra helpful. Beautiful setting. A memorable manageress who was a delight to meet and very accommodating. Peaceful place to stay and the best meals in marakech. Would recommend to any one who wants a place to unwind and read in a perfectly serene environment... See you again next year..... X

• User:m consuelo d

  Trip type: Family

  peace, especially peace and nature

  17 Oct 2016

  after being in crowded Marrakech Villa Vanille will appear to you as a real oasis.Make sure you have a swim in one of the two heated pools and book in advance a tradiional moroccan dinner near the fireplace

• User:veritasOxford

  Trip type: Couples

  Superb relaxing delightful with eccentric rooms

  18 Sept 2016

  One of the most pleasant stays we have had in any hotel. Gorgeous lying beside the pool recouperating from Ryanair cattle class.Very comfortable, simple room and facilities. Very clean. Staff are a veritable treasure, Food is ideal for the climate. Breakfast very adequate. Evening meal superb with poulet au citron, for example.And bloody good as well.This is not a Holiday Inn,grace a dieuQuelue mots en Francais est un bonne idee, si vous ne parler pas arabicque, But not essential . Enjoy yourself. (These guys are not Parissiennes, and French is their second tongue..)Would I return? Absolutely.

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