In line with this friendly and reassuring approach to every guest , the layout of the hotel has been expertly planned to ensure you can relax while your children wander freely . From the grand reception area ( with vigilant security protecting the entrance / exit doors ) you walk straight down to pool one , which is large and equally accommodating for both competent swimmers who want to get some lengths in and kids that want to splash around having fun . This sits right next to the smaller , shallower kids ’ pool , which is surrounded by shaded loungers and located close to a bar / restaurant and a toilet block , so perfect for babies and toddlers . Nothing feels hemmed in , but everything feels safe , and it flows , so kids and adults feel at home within minutes . There is a trusting tranquility that pervades the entire hotel , so as a parent you can relax while keeping a quiet eye on your children – a box tick that ’ s worth its weight in gold .
What we weren ’ t expecting to discover , once we ’ d found our bearings and the littlest Humphris has us all marching towards the kids ’ club , was an entire sister resort just minutes away with an adult-only zen pool and an on-site waterpark ! Every guest at the Valeria Dar Atlas has all-day , free access to Palmiya Fun and Water Land – the biggest of its kind in Marrakech and an absolutely brilliant addition to the holiday . Better still , the waterpark , which has tube slides , slaloms , double and quadruple person rides , and a heart-stopping but seriously thrilling vertical drop slide , has two neighbouring ‘ splashworlds ’ for toddlers and smaller kids , and an enormous 900-square-metre swimming pool , which is much quieter than the resort ’ s main pools , so perfect for poolside reading .
There ’ s also plenty of add-on excursions should you wish to leave the comforts of the hotel complex ( the all-inclusive bar does a fantastic line in alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails ) including regular shuttle buses into the heart of Marrakech ’ s famous medina – a walled medieval city dating to the Berber Empire with a labyrinth of captivating alleyways where thriving souks and marketplaces sell traditional textiles , pottery , jewellery and very convincing football strips and trainers . Of course we spent a day in the mesmerising magic of Marrakech ’ s markets - it ’ s utterly fascinating and another eyeopening cultural experience for the kids . We also had an unforgettable sunset camel ride through La Palmeraie , and got further out into the desert for a high-octane quadbike ride , but we spent most of our time at the resort because it has so much to offer and kept us all very happy .
On this note of happiness … back to the food , which deserves its own paragraph because it was delicious . I can only assume that the negative reviewers on Trip Advisor were eating somewhere else because the cuisine served is absolutely not limited . In fact , there ’ s a massive effort made in terms of variety – I still miss the salad bar , which overflowed nightly with fresh greens , peppers , beautiful ripe tomatoes , chillies , gherkins , olives and every other accompaniment and condiment you can think of , and there were so many other options provided that even the pickiest of eaters could never go hungry here . Alternative hot dishes – at least two fish and meat every evening – were fresh and imaginative , and breakfast and lunch just as satisfying ( the omelette station deserves an award in its own right ), providing great variety and good quality ingredients .
Come the evening , of course there ’ s entertainment – if you ’ re averse to a group dance , or a collection of well-sung covers , then you ’ re probably better off at the bar . Personally , we loved being in the thick
of the action . The acts that perform each evening are competent and talented , and the setup of chairs and tables along with waiter service from the bar allows for a few hours to switch off and have a few drinks . The kids ’ disco kicking off events is just adorable and , ideal for a family holiday , everything shuts at midnight , so , like Cinderella running from the ball , you can all retreat to bed in good time , safe in the knowledge that a restorative sleep will be had . Which it will . The rooms , which are spread out over several one-storey riads and accessed via very pretty pathways lined with mosaics , fountains , rose bushes and olive trees each have air conditioning , flat screen TVs , tiled bathrooms with hairdryer and separate toilet , and gorgeous sun-soaked balconies – they ’ re not only very spacious but very comfortable , too .
There is no shame in making sure that every member of your family is catered for in terms of preference , food and fun on your summer holiday and , if you ’ re looking for a hotel that ticks all of these boxes in a location with half the crowds that suffocate a lot of European destinations come holiday season , then Morocco ’ s Valeria Dar Atlas Resort is it . We ’ d go back in a heartbeat .
Valeria Dar Atlas Resort Route de Fès Marrakech Morocco contact @ clubdaratlas . com daratlas-en . valeriahotels . com
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