Al Moggar Garden Beach Hotel Reviews

just came back from morocco and stayed in the al moggar beach club and was very pleased. the location you couldnt of asked for better as you was across the road from the beach and there are shops and bars on your door step. we went to morocco not knowing what to expect as we thought we could only have a drink on the grounds of the hotel but how wrong was we. you can only purchase drinks in resturants and bars but thats good. we arrived at the hotel and was impressed with the decore in the reception, very grand. our room was right by the main pool so we couldnt of asked for better. the rooms are ok but the most important thing is that they were clean. the maids cleaned the rooms everyday and changed the sheets twice a week but clean towels everyday. theres entertainment going on all day ,darts ,golf, french bowls and much more. the staff we found were very friendly we tiped now and again 10 dirhams and they were so happy,(70p in sterling). we went half board and found the food good. ok breakfast had salad there but so what there was other things to choose from. main meals there was meats, fish,salads and veg. if people moan about the food, that theres not anything for the british then maybe they should stick to blackpool.HAHA.

Just arrived back from the holiday from hell. They don't cater for the British whatsoever. The hotel is clean and adequate for what you need. There is an additional pool now which has just opened. The food is horrendous and is continental. The hotel mainly caters for French guests and it is their culinary delights you have to endure (salad and croissants for breakfast). For evening meal it is more salad and either chicken or fish ( sometimes it's the whole fish, eyes and all!). They don't believe in queueing and just barge in whenever they feel like it, whether you're and adult or child. My children couldn't wait to come home.

The sunbed thing's okay, you have to get to know one of the staff and slip him 10 dirham then you will be fine for a bed. Beds and mattresses are free, as are the parasols.

The entertainment around the pool is announced in French so if you're not any good with the lingo then you have no idea what's going on. It's the same for the evening 'entertainment' which is mainly men dressing as women and miming to songs. All this entertainment was entirely French although some of the songs were by British artists - thankfully.

The resort is bobbins. There isn't a great deal of anything to do and the trips are really expensive. It's really off-putting when you see children begging and women with their babies cradled in their arms sat by parked cars begging. There is quite a lot of this and you really have to turn a blind eye. Make sure you haggle when buying any goods because often you can get them down to less than half the price they originally stated. It's a bit of a pain, but say no and start to walk out of the shop and you can more or less state your price and get it for that price. I can't think of one optimistic thing to say about this holiday other than the rep was very good and sympathetic. Oh, and if you're diabetic, they don't sell 'light' drinks in the hotel. They have no idea what you mean by 'diet'. You can buy bottles of coke zero and light in the shops.

The airport check-in is a pain. You have to fill out a card for each passenger and then again when you are returning to the UK.

All-in-all I would never go back there again, not even if they gave me a free holiday. All the British tourists who were there when we were staying have made official complaints (there was only about six families), but we were all really fed up.

We wanted to come home after one day!!!!

Arrived at the airport at 17:00hrs the only plane there, but you wouldn't have thought it the time it took to clear passport control. Then the bag snatchers try to get your cases to take to the buses for a small tip.
The short half hour transfer to the hotel was only spoilt by the queue at reception to book -in , then more bag snatchers take your cases to the room, get used to this as everyone in Morocco wants paying for little effort.
The room was ok, 4 single beds separated by a low wall with wrought iron work on top, separate toilet with extractor fan, good sized bathroom that only I managed not to soak the floor when in the shower, remote control air con was good but not needed on this occasion and a lovely sun terrace. Rooms were cleaned daily and towels changed if left on the floor.

The hotel is good just across from the excellent 7km beech and at the right end away from the beggars/pick pockets. The night entertainment is audience participation most of the time even it is mainly French but you don't have to get involved if you don't want. The Moroccan night is best with a snake charmer, acrobats and a belly dancer. During the day around the pool they try to get you involved with the activities ranging from darts/boules/water polo/aerobics/table tennis etc. You will make good friends with the waiters/bar staff and especially the animation team they are a great bunch of guys who don't want paying!
Meals were ok a lot of choice but I wouldn't say good food but you can just eat what you want.
Walking around in Agadir is different some locals come up to you and start chatting then want to take you somewhere as a guide or sell you something, then there's some that really just want a chat and are informative/polite and knowledgeable, but you can't tell the difference for a couple of minutes

The tour of Agadir was cr*p, short walk round the Kasbah where you were pounced on by locals selling ";jewellery";, camel rides, photo's with a goat and beggars. Then it was round the fishing port which is closed on Sundays (the only day this trip is run) see all the empty fish stalls and un seaworthy boats. Then drive through Agadir town look at the Mosque then onto the Chemist where you endure a talk on all the local spices and herbs benefits and cures and costs. Then its off to the Souke a market that we really wanted to see, but its massive and you only get to see a corner and no chance to buy anything then its off again, this time to a carpet shop for another demo and price list, I walked out of this one. Then its off for lunch at the same restaurant we'd been lunching at all week right next to our hotel.

The Souke was worth the extra visit, but you've got to haggle harder than we did, we got some ";Nike"; air trainers for £28 but probably could have got them for £15-20. And lookout for all the beggars outside the gates.
Be on your guard all the time I was nearly took for 200Dirhams by the man changing currency in the hotel and the poolside bar doesn't want to give change as most people are all inclusive so they pretend not to have any.
The internet facility is a joke, limited access to sites e.g. no MSN or Hotmail, stroppy staff who don't let you on until certain times and not as it is described in the hotel directory.

If you need to change money back do it before passport control because you can't spend it on much after and the duty-free shop only takes Sterling notes or Euros and gives change back in Euros.
All in all we did enjoy it, once we knew what to expect we could then relax and benefit from what is a nice resort and some great people. We will go back if the price is right as the weather was brilliant.

Situated at the North end of Agadir everything about this hotel is first class.
Everything was spotless. Rooms were basic but tidy and comfortable, plenty of cupboard space, separate toilet and bath/shower/bidet, remote control air conditioning. Nice view from the balcony. Room was cleaned daily, fresh towels daily as well. Take plenty of shower gel etc with you - the tap water is very hard.
The staff were the friendliest we've ever met and their entertainment team were the best we've ever seen - a different show every night at 9.30 pm and they really make the effort. The restaurant was spotless, the food excellent and always covered. A wide range to choose from as well. Continental breakfast but no cereals. Nice tidy gardens were well laid out and the poolside bar had a good menu. Very reasonably priced. No charge for sun bed mattresses either.

This was November so the hotel is not that busy, ideal time to visit, mostly British and French guests, a few arrogant humourless Germans. Step outside the rear entrance and you are on the palm tree lined beachfront with the cafés and shops. If you want 'English' tea ask for it otherwise you will get mint tea - very nice but very sweet. A real pleasure to walk along here - no drunks, thugs, muggers or intimidating hooded teenagers. The Moroccans are very friendly and pleased to see you and will go out of their way to help you. It was the end of Ramadan while we were there and they were very pleased to welcome us at their celebrations. Most of them speak reasonably good English as well.

The beach is just over the road and is very clean. Ignore what looks like a zebra crossing - it isn't - it is 'decoration' only and motorists take no notice.
A 10-minute walk will take you to an ice-cream parlour (round the corner from McArabia). Very good value for money with plenty of choice. There's a 'Noddy Train' as well but you will need to check the times it runs.
There are some good shops and markets within 10 minutes walk from the front entrance to the hotel. Turn right and follow the signs for 'Marche Central'. Be prepared to haggle over the prices. Always check any change you are given - you might find the odd Tunisian coin in it.
The 'Valley of the Birds' is worth a visit (5 Dh - about 30p entrance fee) and is just a few minutes walk away. Don't go at lunchtime - you might get locked in!
The 'souk' (a taxi ride away - about £1 fare) we found disappointing - it looked like a giant jumble sale and is really not geared up for tourists. Make sure you take a 'petit' taxi - usually an orange coloured small car.
Tours are very good value for money, the one-day tour to Marrakech incl lunch and dinner cost £43 ea, a long journey but well worth it. The main square Jemaa El Fna (Assembly of the Dead) is a real must. Nothing dead about this square - it's alive! The sights and sounds are really unbelievable.

If you are going to Marrakech at this time of year take some warm clothing. We found it quite cold.
Tour to the Anti Atlas Mountains incl lunch cost £28 ea. Tour to Taradounnt (approx half day) cost £14. Nice 'herbalist' here, its part of the tour, a good range of creams etc.
No problem changing money at the hotel - change any left back to Sterling before you go to the airport on your return home.

Flight was first class (Thomas Cook). Arrived at hotel and first thought as we pulled up outside was ";what a dump";. Directly opposite is a camp site. However, hotel reception was large and very clean and reception staff were very helpful. Taken very quickly to our room which was exactly as portrayed in brochure. Large, clean bathroom and separate toilet. Plenty of wardrobe space and all air conditioned.

All meals were buffet style, breakfast usual continental -cold meats, fried eggs (not very well booked) cheese, salad, croissants, french bread jams, pancakes and doughnuts. Lunch and evening meals variety of different meats lots of fresh fish, desserts typically french ie pastries and fruit. Personally enjoyed the food and failed to see how anyone could come away hungry, but there were quite a few complaints.

It soon became apparent that getting a sun bed around the pool was going to be quite difficult, but after two days of not being able to we did manage on the third day and this was only because we had spoken to English couple and they had told us to get out early. On watching and listening, it soon became apparent that the French visitors were paying the pool staff to put out their towels for them and I witnessed on several occasions, other peoples towels being removed from the sun beds and the French towels being put on them. We had to get up at 04.30am if we were to get a sun-bed. Although complaints were made to management, nothing was done, until a French lady complained and then we all got letters from the management saying the sun-beds would be lock up until 08.00. This still did not stop pool staff being paid to get sun-beds for French visitors.

I personally go on holiday to relax but found out after the first time at the pool that this was not going to happen. My children were harassed and spat on by the French children and if that was not bad enough, they were treated badly by the bar staff. On one occasion, my two daughters went to the snack bar along with two friends to get some ";Free Ice-cream"; bearing in mind this was an all inclusive package. In front on them in the queue were two French girls, who asked for and were given ice-cream. My daughters were then told there was no ice-cream. My eldest daughter protested and was again told rather firmly ";No Ice-cream";. As soon as they told me and the staff saw myself and the other two children's mother approaching at break neck speed, four ice creams appeared rather quickly. This I am sorry to say set the pattern for the rest of the fortnight. We were refused drinks at the bar; the children were constantly refused service for ice cream or ignored when they tried to get a drink. Getting a drink at the bar in the evening could take anything up to 25 minutes and on three occasions in the restaurant we had to clear our own table in order to have a meal. Several of us complained at various different times and nothing was resolved but I think possibly the most upsetting part of this was being called or having our children called English Pigs by the French. I personally do not have any quarrel with the French but we have obviously done something as a nation to up set them and they are unable or unwilling to keep it to themselves.

With regard to the facilities within the hotel the pool area is far too small with 410 rooms (only 20 being given over the british travel agents) there is a need for another pool. The entertainment is geared solely for the French and is poor. The bars and restaurants need more serving staff and some need severe changes in attitude. The Moroccan people in general in the markets and shops are very pleasant, but unfortunately they do not work in the hotel. The only saving grace for myself and my family was the wonderful friendship we found with 6 other British families (29) people in total.

We made our own entertainment in the evenings and tried to make the most of the private beaches along the promenade from the hotel, where at least we could get a sun bed and we were treated with great kindness and respect. However, we had to pay for this and it was too far away to return to the hotel for our meals as some of the children were quite young and one young member of the party was disabled. My stronge recommendation to anyone considering the Al Moggar Garden Beach Hotel is Do Not Go and if you do decide to go learn French before so at least you will get served.