On a 6-day visit to Marrakech, this hotel was booked for us by a hotel which had double-booked us. After reading reviews on this page, I got nervous and suggested we only stay two days instead of the booked four. THANK GOD.
First, the Murano is outside Marrakech down some pitted dirt roads with absolutely nothing but flea-bitten animals, trash, and dirt-poor locals for scenery. The gate to the hotel is unimpressive, as was the driveway, steps, and lobby. A concierge entered as we did and greeted us pleasantly, however it immediately became obvious that he'd just lost a tooth: the socket was bleeding. I became quite nauseated, which he unknowingly further accommodated by showing us to the lounge in the next room to wait. There must have been a very complicated problem with our reservation (!?) because it took them quite a while (15-20 minutes) to find our key and show us to our room. Meanwhile my boyfriend fidgeted with the smoldering ashes in the fireplace, and then ordered a vodka cocktail. He was told they were already bringing a cocktail and his order was ignored, nevermind that he couldn't drink the synthetic fruity "welcome" cocktail they brought.
The room - called "Traviata" - was quite large, comfortable, and well-sound-insulated from neighboring rooms in the block. There was a fireplace which the staff lit for us on request, a large tub and separate shower, a large walk-in closet (but only 6 hangers) with lender straw hats and complimentary plush slippers, a mini-bar with tiny, near-priceless bottles of water, coffee, and spirits, and a iPhone/iPod speaker system. The bed was comfortable but was clearly two European singlets patched together as I could feel the seam as well as plastic clips. The decor was tacky bordering on trashy. It says a lot when the coffee table is mirror-topped. The Murano is beginning to show wear, especially the stained red cushions around the pool, drains which were stopped up, and short hot water supply. If you were brought in blind-folded and didn't know you were in Africa, there would be little way of distinguishing this resort from a 3-star one in Orlando, Florida.
I certainly do not recommend eating at the Murano. Bring a few large bottles of water with you, and leave the premises to seek out restaurants (perhaps in the Medina, should be a 80-100DHR taxi ride). The food is extraordinarily expensive, the portions are tiny, and the taste is truly nothing special.
One last thing I want to mention are the men who mope around the property. They are all wearing uniforms of one sort or another, but frequently appear to be doing nothing. Looking out your windows and seeing a man dawdling just outside (some windows, such as the bathroom windows, did not have curtains) there is a bit disconcerting and well, creepy.
Checkout from the hotel took twice as long as check-in. I have stayed in quite a few hotels and have never had checkout or check in take so long without any explanation, distraction, or apology from the staff. The hotel certainly wasn't very busy, in fact, I'd say it was dead. Dead, depressing.
If you're coming to Marrakech and want to experience Marrakech, stay in a riad in the Medina.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
