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hot property
Coming soon
TUNISIA
Riu is to open two properties in Tunisia next
year. The ClubHotel Riu Marco Polo will
open in Yasmina Hammamet in April, and
the Riu Palace Hammamet Marhaba Hotel
will welcome its first guests in June.
■ riu.com
MOROCCO
The Rezidor Hotel Group plans to open a
Radisson property in Tangier, Morocco, by
the end of 2010. Another Radisson in Saidia
is scheduled to open the preceding quarter.
■ rezidor.com
EGYPT
Rotana will open five more Centro hotels
across Egypt within the next few years.
Locations will include Cairo and Alexandria.
■ rotana.com
76
Jaz Hotels & Resorts is to open 11 further
%
properties in Egypt next year, including
most importantly, an 18-hole Jaz-branded five-star hotels and Sol Y Mar
Checking out
golf course and academy brand four-star properties.
designed by Robert Trent Jones. ■ jaz.travel
8/10
Palmeraie Golf Palace
Marrakech, Morocco
Service and welcome
Upgraded
The service was generally with a smile,
The five-star Palmeraie Golf Palace is a although not very efficient, particularly EGYPT
well-established 312-room hotel just outside when it came to delivering luggage. 6/10 Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa’s $45 million
the city, about 30 minutes from the airport. upgrade includes river views for half the
It offers space and tranquillity rather than Value for money guestrooms and a new Nayara Spa.
the buzz of central Marrakech, which is a With rooms starting at £86 a night, it is good ■ hilton.com
15-minute taxi ride away. With its authentic value for a quality hotel, with lots to offer.
Moroccan design, it is a step up from bland 8/10
chain hotels. The beautiful reception
certainly lets you know you’re in Morocco. Overall
While never offering the wow factor of
Rooms some of the local luxury riads, this is a good
My double room was large and comfortable, property for those wanting to chill out and
with a clearly defined lounge and desk area, play golf with the Atlas mountains as a
big built-in wardrobe and decent bathroom. backdrop. The hotel is not suitable for those
Nice touches included the rose petals around who want the constant hustle and bustle of
the room and different Moroccan sweets central Marrakech. 8/10 The herb room at the Hilton Luxor’s new Nayara Spa
each day. The only downside was the lack
of a full-length mirror in the room. 8/10 Sample price TUNISIA
Rates start at £86 per night for a luxury The Riu Imperial Marhaba has undergone
Facilities and dining room, via the Preferred Hotels website. major renovation, with improvements made
The hotel has several restaurants, with by Kay McLellan to rooms, bathrooms, bars, gardens and pool
Leroy’s Kfe offering a decent, if rather limited, areas. A thalassotherapy centre and Italian-
breakfast. The sprawling complex boasts a ■ preferredhotels.com themed restaurant have also been added.
large gym, spa and conference centre and, ■ pgpmarrakech.com ■ riu.com
42 12.12.2008
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