As Gold Reward Members with Melia, we were thrilled to spend five nights at the Sol Oasis. Our stay was booked through British Airways Holidays, which offered a double-tier point benefit when booking directly. This was an excellent opportunity to earn 480 tier points for British Airways Executive Club Gold Status.

There was a bit of trepidation as the hotel was only four-star and all-inclusive, but we were hopeful as it had a good rating on Tripadvisor.

The Sol Oasis All-Inclusive Hotel in Marrakech is ideally situated on the peaceful outskirts of the city, offering a serene escape just a half-hour’s drive from the vibrant Marrakech Menara Airport.

This location offers easy access to the lively Medina and iconic attractions, such as the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa, making it a perfect base for exploring the rich culture and history of the region. The hotel itself has a blend of modern comforts and traditional Moroccan architecture.

The hotel offers a 24-hour reception and an ATM in the lobby. As with most all-inclusive hotels, there is daily and evening entertainment if that’s your thing.

You can unwind by the outdoor pool (heated in the winter months), let the kids have a blast at the kids club, stay active at the gym and tennis court, and grab a quick bite at the snack bar.

Upon arrival, be prepared for the daily Tourism and City Tax, which amounts to about 73 Moroccan Dirham or £5.80 daily. Unfortunately, this caused a bottleneck during the check-in process at Sol Oasis Marrakech.

Despite arriving on time, we waited longer than expected to access our room. The staff seemed a bit disorganised, which added to the frustration of the experience.

Our stay in the Sol Room presented a mix of experiences. Although the room was smaller than we anticipated, it was impeccably maintained. The furnishings, however, were somewhat dated, and the bathroom could benefit from some attention.

Storage options were limited, so for those planning an extended visit, it may be wise to pack lightly. The minibar did not provide a selection of soft or alcoholic beverages, but it was a nice touch to find it stocked with bottled water.

The double bed, while not the epitome of luxury, offered a satisfactory night’s sleep. Additionally, a television was mounted on the wall, although we did not take the opportunity to use it during our stay.

The bathroom had a decent shower, and the hotel provided shampoo and body wash. There was a loo roll shortage when we visited, and we had to ask for replacements a few times.

However, on a positive note, the area outside Room 2202 was fantastic. A small bistro table and chairs were outside the room, and because the room was on the first floor, there was additional space to sit, enjoy a drink, and watch the entertainment from afar at night.

The food at Sol Oasis Marrakech fell short of expectations. The menu was repetitive, offering the same dishes daily, and the quality was average at best.

The main dining option was the Darna Restaurant, which served breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The buffet options remained the same throughout our stay, although there were themed nights; however, the food options ultimately stayed the same. On a positive note, the Darna Restaurant was never overcrowded during any of the food settings, and the breakfast was the main highlight.

Although the Sol Oasis is an All-Inclusive hotel, two additional dining options are available for an extra charge. Cafe Maure offers traditional Moroccan food and Safran, which is a Tapas Restaurant.

We did book into Safran, but the additional cost for the extras didn’t seem value for money, and you had to pay extra for alcohol in the restaurant, although soft drinks were included.

The Majmar Bar by the pool was busy during the day and at night especially when the entertainment was on. We tended to avoid the pool side bar as service was generally slow, although you could order pizzas which are made in the wood-fired oven.

The Kass Bar offered a more relaxing atmosphere and the service was always excellent throughout the day. The bar offered both of best worlds as you could sit inside to keep cool and sit outside in the sun. 

The main swimming pool at the Sol Oasis is heated from November to March, and since we visited in April, the water was cold but bearable.

The pool itself is approximately 500 square metres, and there were no issues with finding a sunbed around the pool. However, talking to staff in the summer months it can be busy, and you will often see people grabbing sun lounges early in the morning.

The kids’ pool, referred to as the splash park by the hotel, spanned around 100 square metres, offering a space for children to play and enjoy the water; much like the main swimming pool, it remained refreshingly cool and pleasantly uncrowded throughout our stay.

However, one minor inconvenience we encountered during our mornings was the frequent unavailability of towels, which were often not put out until after 9:00 am, and at times, even later.

We couldn’t fault the staff serving in the Darna Restaurant or the Kass Bar. However, the atmosphere at the Majmar Bar was different, mainly due to its busy nature, and the staff occasionally struggled to cope.

The service around the pool was non-existent, but on rare occasions, we were lucky enough to be offered water.

The staff at reception were helpful, but check-in and out were slow, which was a little tedious.