Unbelievable Novotel Mohammedia: Your Moroccan Dream Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because we're about to dive headfirst into the… well, unbelievable Novotel Mohammedia. And let me tell you, my expectations? They were set kinda high. I mean, "Your Moroccan Dream Awaits!"? Bold statement, Novotel. Bold.
First Impressions: Arrival & Accessibility - Not Always Smooth, but Definitely Trying!
Alright, let's be honest. The first hurdle? Finding the place. Google Maps wasn't entirely on point, which led to a lovely little detour involving some very confused pigeons and a particularly grumpy taxi driver. (A-ha! Real life, right?!) Finally, voila! there it was.
Accessibility: This is where things get… complicated. The website boasts about facilities for disabled guests, and that's good. But I will also confess to not having any specific needs and will not pretend expertise I don't possess. However, I did spot ramps, elevators, and what looked like adapted rooms. Important to double-check with the hotel if you have specific requirements. One thing the website claims, accessibility is never perfect, but even little things like accessible ramps are a big effort.
Check-in: Okay, so I'm a bit neurotic about cleanliness these days. I was thrilled to see the signage about their "Anti-viral cleaning products" and "Daily disinfection in common areas". Felt good. Contactless check-in/out? Yes, please! And for safety? CCTV galore. Always a good sign for peace of mind.
Rooms: My Oasis of… Questions?
The room itself? Clean. Very clean. That's a huge win in my book. And hey, they've got "Individually-wrapped food options" so I feel safe.
Available in all rooms:
- Additional toilet: (Hmm, handy if you're sharing with a… particularly active digestive system.)
- Air conditioning: A must in Morocco.
- Alarm clock: (Because who uses those anymore? My phone is my overlord.)
- Bathrobes: (Ooh, fancy!)
- Bathroom phone: (In case you need to call room service while… you know…)
- Bathtub: (Yes!).
- Blackout curtains: (Thank. The. Gods.)
- Carpeting: (Meh. Could be worse; could be tiled.)
- Closet: (Essential!)
- Coffee/tea maker: (YES, PLEASE!)
- Complimentary tea: (My people!)
- Daily housekeeping: (Bless them.)
- Desk: (For, you know, pretending to work.)
- Extra long bed: (Always a bonus for us tall folks.)
- Free bottled water: (Hydration is key, people!)
- Hair dryer: (Yay, less luggage space consumed.)
- High floor: (I requested one, and got one! Winning!)
- In-room safe box: (Peace of mind.)
- Interconnecting room(s) available: (For families, groups, etc.)
- Internet access – LAN: (For the truly dedicated.)
- Internet access – wireless: (Wi-Fi? YES!)
- Ironing facilities: (Because wrinkles are the enemy.)
- Laptop workspace: (Again, pretending.)
- Linens: (Soft, clean… winning again.)
- Mini bar: (Resisting the temptation…)
- Mirror: (For admiring my… ahem…)
- Non-smoking: (Thank you, thank you, thank you.)
- On-demand movies: (Can't promise I watched any.)
- Private bathroom: (Phew!)
- Reading light: (Good for bedtime stories.)
- Refrigerator: (For keeping drinks cold – yay!)
- Safety/security feature: (Makes me feel… safe.)
- Satellite/cable channels: (For the TV addicts)
- Scale: (Trying to avoid that.)
- Seating area: (A nice touch.)
- Separate shower/bathtub: (Luxury!)
- Shower: (Water pressure? Adequate!)
- Slippers: (Fancy.)
- Smoke detector: (Essential!)
- Socket near the bed: (Bless you, whoever thought of this.)
- Sofa: (Comfy.)
- Soundproofing: (Amen!)
- Telephone: (Who uses these anymore?)
- Toiletries: (Standard stuff.)
- Towels: (Fluffy!)
- Umbrella: (Just in case!)
- Visual alarm: (Good for accessibility.)
- Wake-up service: (Who still uses these?)
- Wi-Fi [free]: (Essential!)
- Window that opens: (Fresh air!)
The Food & Drink Frenzy: Where the Dream Gets Real.
Now, this is where the Novotel really shines.
Restaurants:
- A la carte in restaurant: (Excellent.)
- Asian cuisine in restaurant – (Yes, you get used to the flavors of Asia quickly when you are in Morocco!)
- Breakfast [buffet]: (OMG, the buffet! I had to stop myself from eating every cheese, because that’s what happens when I go to a buffet. The selection was HUGE. Fresh pastries, eggs cooked to order, yogurt, fruit… the works. I could have spent a week there alone.)
- Buffet in restaurant: (Great variety.)
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: (Important.)
- Desserts in restaurant: (Yum!)
- International cuisine in restaurant: (So much to choose from.)
- Poolside bar: (Essential for a refreshing drink by the pool.)
- Restaurants: (Multiple options! Score!)
- Salad in restaurant: (Healthy options - always a good thing.)
- Soup in restaurant: (Perfect for a light meal after a day out.)
- Vegetarian restaurant: (Some options which were nice to have).
- Western breakfast: (For those who are not comfortable with other tastes.)
- Western cuisine in restaurant: (Perfect for a change when the local food is to much.)
Coffee Shop: Coffee was strong and good. The coffee shop was a nice place to take a rest.
Snack bar: Excellent to have a small meal by the pool.
Room Service (24-hour): Another win! Perfect for those late-night cravings.
Happy Hour: A lovely way to end a long day of fun activities.
Bar: Great to get a relaxing drink with friends and relatives.
Dining, drinking, and snacking: I can't even mention the food, it's a dream!
The Spa: My Biggest Indulgence!
Alright, so I might have spent a little (okay, a lot) of time in the spa. And honestly, it was worth every dirham.
Ways to relax:
- Body scrub: (Made my skin feel amazing!)
- Body wrap: (Pure bliss.)
- Foot bath: (Perfect after all that walking!)
- Massage: (The best massage I've ever had, hands down! I opted for the deep tissue, and it was… transformative. I melted into the massage table. Pure, unadulterated relaxation.)
- Pool with view: (Stunning! Especially at sunset.)
- Sauna: (Great for detoxing.)
- Spa: (A must-do.)
- Spa/sauna: (Double the pleasure!)
- Steamroom: (Another detox option.)
- Swimming pool: (Beautiful pool. Clean water. Lovely.)
Fitness Center & Gym/fitness: The gym was well-equipped if you're into that sort of thing. I, however, was more into the… spa.
Things to Do: Beyond the Pool (If You Must)
The Novotel is well-placed to explore Mohammedia and the surrounding area.
Services and conveniences:
- Air conditioning in public area: (Essential!)
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: (Good for meetings.)
- Business facilities: (For those who, sadly, have to work.)
- Cash withdrawal: (Useful.)
- Concierge: (Helpful!)
- Convenience store: (Perfect for picking up snacks.)
- Currency exchange: (Needed!)
- Daily housekeeping: (Bless them again!)
- Doorman: (Classic!)
- Dry cleaning: (Handy.)
- Elevator: (Essential.)
- Facilities for disabled guests: (Good.)
- Gift/souvenir shop: (Good to buy gifts.)
- Indoor venue for special events: (Good for meetings.)
- Invoice provided: (Important)
- Ironing service: (Handy.)
- Laundry service: (Amazing!)
- Luggage storage: (Convenient.)
- Meeting/banquet facilities: (Important.)
- On-site event hosting: (Good for
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. Here is my attempt at an itinerary for a messy, hopefully-honest, and hilariously human trip to the Novotel Mohammedia in Morocco. This isn't a meticulously planned robot's guide; it's my brain trying to wrangle itself into some semblance of order while experiencing a new place. Consider yourself warned.
The Messy, Honest, and Probably Slightly Overly Dramatic Novotel Mohammedia Debrief
Pre-Trip Meltdown (aka Packing is the Real Adventure)
- Day 0 (aka The Night Before): Okay, let's be real. Packing is my nemesis. It starts with grand visions of minimalist chic and ends with me wrestling a suitcase that looks like it ate a small child. I swear I need all these "essentials" - three kinds of sunscreen, a book I'll probably only glance at, and a swimsuit even though it's November and… well, let's just say hope springs eternal. The panic sets in. Did I remember my passport? (Spoiler: I never don't forget my passport. I triple-check it.) Cue me pacing the apartment like a caffeinated lion.
- Late Night Ramblings: Okay, I admit, I'm a little nervous. Morocco! It's exotic! It's… well, it's definitely not my cozy, over-familiar existence. My inner monologue oscillates between "This is going to be amazing!" and "What if I accidentally offend someone with my general cluelessness?" I should probably brush up on my Arabic, but that's something I always say and barely ever do .
Arrival & Initial Impression: Mohammedia, Here I Come!
- Day 1: The Airport Shuffle & Novotel Nirvana (or Not?)
- The Arrival: The flight was… well, a flight. The usual suspects of cramped leg space, a crying baby, and that one guy who always hogs the armrest. Landing in Casablanca, I feel a rush of excitement. The air smells… different. Like spice and something I can't quite place. (Is that the "magic" everyone talks about?)
- Taxi Tango: Navigating the taxi situation… ah, the adventure begins! Negotiation is key. I'm pretty sure I looked like a deer caught in headlights while trying to haggle. (I probably got ripped off, but hey, it's part of the experience, right?)
- Novotel Check-In: The First Hurdle: The check-in process was smooth which I love because I was already tired. The lobby seemed nice, even luxurious.
- My Room: A Mixed Bag: The room is… decent. Clean, which is a huge win. The balcony overlooks the sea. (Potential for glorious sunrises, if I ever manage to wake up early enough.) The bathroom, however, smells faintly of… something. Shrugs. Room service, here I come!
- Dinner Mishaps: Okay, I tried to order from the restaurant. Attempt 1: The waiter didn't speak much English. Attempt 2: Ordering the incorrect dish (I was clearly hungry). Attempt 3: After a small wait, I finally got my meal. It was delicious.
- Evening Musings: The sea is beautiful. I can hear the waves. It's strangely calming. I'm starting to think I might survive this.
Day 2: Exploration & Culinary Calamities
- Morning Glory (or, Attempted Sunrise): The alarm blares. Sunrises! I set my sights on viewing one because of the balcony. I open the curtains… overcast. Sigh. Back to bed.
- Beach Stroll & Local Encounters:
- I braved the beach. The sand is soft, the ocean a deep blue. There's a guy selling freshly squeezed orange juice. It costs about the same price as a small, mediocre coffee back home. It's delicious.
- I tried speaking some basic French. People are patient with me. It's a welcome change from the usual judgment I receive.
- Lunch Interlude (Culinary Calamity Alert!): I found a small local place. The menu was entirely in Arabic. My French failed me. I pointed at something that looked vaguely like meat and rice. What arrived was… interesting. The flavor was there, sure, but I'm pretty sure I couldn't identify half the ingredients. But the experience was wonderful.
- Afternoon in the Souk (The Senses Overload): I went back to Casablanca for some shopping in a famous souk filled with a dazzling array of spices, textiles, and lamps. I got lost. I bought a scarf I didn't need, mainly because the vendor wouldn't leave me alone until I did. I bargained, probably poorly. My senses are completely overwhelmed, but in the best way possible. The smells, the colors, the noise - it's a sensory explosion.
- Restaurant Round Two… and More Mishaps: I returned to Novotel, ordered the "safe" option of a pizza, and got a pizza. It was average.
- Evening Reflection: Morocco is a country of contrasts. The familiar and the unknown. The beautiful and the chaotic. I think I'm falling in love with it.
Day 3: Doubling Down on Experience & Emotional Rollercoasters
- Spa Day (or, My Attempt at Zen): I booked a massage at the hotel spa. It was… okay. I'm probably too tense to ever relax fully. The masseuse clearly knew what she was doing, but my brain kept trying to catalog everything.
- The Moment of Pure Joy: I found a small, rooftop cafe with a view of the city. Sipping mint tea, watching the city wake up, and feeling the sun on my face. It was pure bliss. I closed my eyes, breathed it all in, and felt a deep sense of contentment. This is why I travel. This is why I put myself through packing hell.
- The Great Food Quest (Part 2) & Emotional Turmoil: I tried finding another local restaurant and failed. I got turned around. I got frustrated. I got hungry. I felt a pang of homesickness. Then I stopped, took a deep breath, and reminded myself that this is an adventure. It's not meant to be perfect.
- Dinner: Back to Basic: Went back to the hotel restaurant. They had a surprisingly good burger. Sometimes, comfort food is exactly what you need.
- Late Night Ramblings: Morocco… it's not what I expected. It's more. It's challenging, beautiful, sometimes frustrating. But it's undeniably alive. My heart feels full.
Day 4 (aka, The Departure):
- Breakfast & Last-Minute Musings: I'm trying to savor my final breakfast. I watch the sea one last time.
- Departure Anxiety (The Usual): I somehow manage to misplace my passport. Panic sets in (again!). Eventually, I found it tucked away safely in a perfectly logical place (my bag), which is the least logical place for it to be.
- Taxi Tango (Round 2) & the Final Goodbye: The drive to the airport is more chaotic than the arrival. I haggle again. This time, I think I won. I hope.
- Final Thoughts: I leave Mohammedia, with a suitcase full of souvenirs and a heart full of memories. I made mistakes, got lost, and had moments of pure joy. And that, my friends, is exactly what travel is all about. I can't wait to book my next adventure!
Important Notes:
- This "itinerary" is subject to change at a moment's notice.
- There will be more food mishaps. Guaranteed.
- My emotional state may fluctuate wildly.
- Don't expect perfection. Embrace the mess.
Final, Final Note: Pack comfortable shoes. You'll thank me later. And maybe learn a few basic Arabic phrases. You might actually get a discount that way.
Escape to Comfort: TownePlace Suites San Bernardino Loma Linda
Unbelievable Novotel Mohammedia: Your Moroccan Dream...Sort Of? Let's Get Real.
Okay, so...is the Novotel Mohammedia REALLY as dreamy as those glossy photos suggest?
Look, let's be honest. Those photos? Beautiful. Those sunsets over the Atlantic? Stunning. The reality? Well... it's a bit like dating; sometimes the chemistry is FIRE, sometimes it's more like…a polite handshake. I went in expecting Arabian Nights, and I got… a modern, slightly faded version of that. It *is* nice, don't get me wrong! Pool is gorgeous. But, you know what? They should probably update the beach towels. Seriously, I think mine had older threads than my grandma's knitting needles.
What's the deal with the rooms? Are they comfortable?
Rooms are... fine. Standard Novotel fare. Clean, functional, and with that slightly generic hotel scent that always makes me feel like I should be watching CNN. The beds? Comfy enough to fall asleep after a day of haggling in the souk (which, by the way, is an experience ALL its own). BUT... and this is a BIG but…the air conditioning. It’s a whole *thing*. One night, it was a polar vortex in the room. The next, I think I woke up in the Sahara. Bring a sweater, bring a fan, basically, pack for both extremes, because the AC is a wild card. I swear, it was like a temperamental roommate.
The FOOD! Tell me about the food! Is it good? A culinary adventure?
Okay, the food… This is where things get interesting. The breakfast buffet? Okay, it IS a buffet, and there's a lot of choice. But, I swear I saw the exact same pastries for three days running. After a while, the "choice" feels like a suggestion, not a promise. And the coffee… let's just say, it requires a LOT of sugar. Then, there's the restaurant. It's perfectly adequate. Good enough. Nothing *terrible*. But… I got this *amazing* tagine from a little place down the road (more on that later), and by comparison, the hotel version felt a bit…bland. It's solid, but don't expect fireworks. Except…one night, I ordered the seafood platter. And, listen. It was AMAZING. Really. The PERFECTly grilled fish, the calamari, the prawns… I actually did a little happy dance at the table. Maybe the chef was having a good day? Or maybe it’s just a gamble. Go for the seafood. Absolutely. Do it. I’m thinking about it now, and I’m drooling.
What's the pool like? Is it as Instagrammable as it looks?
The pool? The POOL is the star. It really is. Clear, clean, and the perfect temperature for a dip. Picture turquoise water, palm trees swaying, the sun beating down... It’s pure bliss. Yes, it's definitely Instagrammable. Just try not to focus *too* much on the slightly chipped tiles. And, be warned: sunbeds are a competitive sport. Get there early, or prepare to fight for your sandy, sun-kissed spot. I'm not proud, but I may have... subtly... "reserved" a couple with a stray towel. Don't judge me, everyone was doing it! It’s Morocco! Survival of the fittest, baby!
Is the location good? What's there to do nearby?
The location is... decent. Right on the beach, which is fantastic. You can hear the waves crashing at night, which is glorious. However, Mohammedia itself isn't exactly bursting with adrenaline-pumping excitement. It's more of a "relax on the beach, wander around, maybe eat some tagine" kind of vibe. There are a few restaurants and cafes nearby (the little place I mentioned earlier with the *incredible* tagine? Find it! Trust me). You can take a taxi to Casablanca (about a 30-minute drive), which offers a LOT more in terms of sightseeing and shopping. Or, you can just chill. And honestly? Sometimes that’s EXACTLY what you need.
What was your favorite part about staying there?
Honestly? The feeling of being in Morocco. Even with the quirks, the slightly-faded glamour, the unpredictable air conditioning, and the "meh" coffee, there's a magic to being there. Sunsets over the Atlantic, the scent of the sea, the friendly smiles of the staff… Oh, and that seafood platter. Seriously, the seafood platter. I am NEVER going to forgot that seafood platter. It's a weird, messy, slightly imperfect, but also absolutely wonderful place. And sometimes, that’s exactly what makes a trip memorable. It wasn't perfect, but I left with some amazing memories and a severe craving for grilled fish.
Okay, so… would you go back?
Hmm...That's a tough one. Probably, yeah. Because even with its little imperfections, it's a solid base for exploring a stunning country. I'd just pack extra moisturizer for the AC roulette, and make sure to order that seafood platter. Again. And this time? I'm taking pictures.
Any tips for first-timers?
* **Haggle:** Get ready to haggle in the souks. It's part of the experience! Don't be afraid to walk away; they'll usually offer you a better price.
* **Learn a few basic Arabic phrases:** Even just "Shukran" (thank you) will go a long way.
* **Stay hydrated:** Drink plenty of water, especially in the heat.
* **Embrace the chaos:** Things don't always run on schedule. Relax and go with the flow.
* **The Air Conditioning is a beast of unpredictability.** Be warned
* **Seriously? The seafood platter.** Just do it.
* **Bring a Universal Adapter:** You'll need one!
* **Be prepared to be touched.** People are friendly and often touch you when talking. Just get used to it.
* **Pack light clothing** It gets hot.
