Iberostar Waves Club Palmeraie Marrakech: our family stay and what to know before booking

If you are considering Iberostar Waves Club Palmeraie Marrakech, the first thing to know is that it is a resort in the Palmeraie, outside central Marrakech. It suited our family because we wanted time at the pools and resort as well as a chance to go into the city. We booked the holiday as a package through loveholidays; the airline and hotel were part of that booking. This is an account of our own stay, not a sponsored hotel review.

Getting there and checking in

We flew into Marrakech Menara Airport and our transfer to the hotel took roughly 25 minutes on our trip. We had arranged it separately through Holiday Extras rather than assuming an airport pick-up came with the all-inclusive booking. Traffic and the exact route can change the journey time. If you are comparing package deals, check whether an airport transfer is included, and if it is not, compare a pre-booked transfer with licensed local transport before you travel.

At reception, we completed a paper check-in form and received wristbands for the all-inclusive stay. The hotel currently lists check-in from 15:00 and check-out at 12:00, with earlier check-in sometimes possible during quieter periods. Confirm the times attached to your own booking.

Our connecting rooms

For the four of us, we had two separate rooms with a connecting door. Each also had its own entrance, so we could open the connecting door when we wanted to move between rooms and close it for privacy. There was enough space for our family, but room layouts and availability vary. If connecting rooms matter to you, ask the hotel to confirm the arrangement rather than assuming that booking two rooms guarantees an internal door.

One thing to pack or plan for: our rooms did not have a kettle or tea and coffee supplies. That was not a major issue for us on an all-inclusive holiday, but it could matter if you like a hot drink before heading to breakfast. We also did not receive a supply of bottled water in the room. Instead, we could refill a jug at a water station in the building. The hotel advertises purified water fountains and a policy of avoiding single-use plastic. Ask what is provided in your booked room category if either detail is important to you.

Food and drinks: the strongest part of our stay

The buffet had enough variety that our family could usually find something we wanted. Breakfast felt quieter than lunch and dinner during our stay. Lunch and dinner had a changing selection, including Moroccan dishes and grilled meat, so we could try unfamiliar foods without committing to a full plate. I particularly liked how tidy the dining area looked and how regularly staff cleared and reset tables.

We also used the food truck near the pool, which offered casual choices such as burgers, hot dogs and pancakes around lunchtime during our visit. Drinks were available in the dining area and bars, including soft drinks, juices and Moroccan tea; I enjoyed the changing juice choices. The exact menu, brands, opening hours and drinks included in a package can vary. Check your booking details if a particular restaurant, drink or dietary option matters to you.

Three pool areas and the towel deposit

We found a large main pool, a quieter adults’ pool and a splash area for younger children. The outdoor pools and landscaped grounds were a big part of the appeal for us: plenty of greenery, palm trees and room to spend the day. The main pool was the more lively choice; the adults’ area felt calmer. Iberostar also advertises its main pool as heated in winter. Do not assume every pool will have the same temperature or opening hours when you travel.

Pool towels required a deposit during our visit: we paid 100 Moroccan dirhams per towel, refundable when we returned the towels. These were separate from the towels provided in our rooms. The hotel’s current listing confirms a deposit for pool towels but does not publish that amount, so check the latest figure and accepted payment method before you arrive.

Activities, evening shows and time away from the resort

There was more to do than we could fit into four nights. We saw options including football, archery, tennis, table tennis and trapeze, alongside evening entertainment. One show had a Michael Jackson theme, and there was a white party on another night. The programme changes, so ask for the current schedule on arrival—especially if you have teenagers with particular activities in mind. Iberostar lists sports facilities, children’s activities and entertainment on its hotel page.

We also spent time away from the resort, including an Agafay Desert excursion with quad biking and a camel ride. If you want several full days exploring Marrakech as well as resort activities, plan your stay accordingly: a short visit forces choices. You can read what our Agafay evening included.

The complimentary shuttle into Marrakech

A useful feature is the free hotel shuttle into the city. We used it to get out of the resort and back again. The service has designated pick-up and drop-off points and departure times, so ask reception for the current timetable, return location and whether a seat needs reserving. To reach the exact part of the centre we wanted, we continued by local transport. Do not assume that “shuttle to Marrakech” means a stop at the entrance of every attraction or that you can return whenever you like.

Would I recommend it for a family?

For our family, the combination of connecting rooms, food choices, pools and activities made the four-night stay enjoyable. The complimentary shuttle helped us combine a resort holiday with time in Marrakech. My main practical advice is to confirm the room configuration, airport transfer, towel deposit and shuttle timetable before travelling. If your priority is spending nearly every day in the Medina, weigh the travel back and forth against staying closer to the centre. If you want a base with enough to occupy the family between excursions, this resort is worth considering.

First-hand details above describe our stay and may change. The hotel’s official page confirms the resort name, pool areas, towel deposit, purified water fountains, food truck, sports and complimentary city shuttle. Spa treatments and other extras should be checked against the terms of your own package. This article contains no hotel booking affiliate link.