Fun & Sun Smart Akman Beach

We stayed at Pickalbatros Aqua Fun Club Marrakech with high expectations after seeing its 4.5-star TripAdvisor rating, but unfortunately our experience didn’t live up to that. In its current condition, I would personally rate it closer to a 3-star resort. It does appear to be undergoing refurbishment, so perhaps it will improve over the next couple of years, but at the moment much of the hotel still feels tired and in need of updating. Our holiday didn’t get off to the best start. We arrived just before midnight after a long journey and, unlike many other all-inclusive resorts we’ve visited, there was no welcome drink, no late-night food available and no snacks left in the room for guests arriving after check-in. Even something simple like soup, sandwiches or bread would have been appreciated after travelling all day. The reception staff also weren’t particularly welcoming, which wasn’t the first impression we had hoped for. Before travelling, I paid extra to upgrade to a garden-view family room. Unfortunately, the description was misleading. The “garden view” overlooked what appeared to be a rear service area rather than attractive landscaped gardens. It certainly didn’t justify paying extra. The room layout was also disappointing. Although marketed as having separate sleeping areas, they weren’t actually separate rooms. They were divided only by wooden shutters rather than solid walls and doors, meaning there was virtually no privacy and every conversation or movement could be heard between the two areas. The following morning I raised my concerns with reception. I explained that the room wasn’t what had been advertised and asked whether another room was available. I was simply told that every room in my category had the same view and that if I wanted a pool-facing room, I would have to pay another upgrade. The porter who showed us the alternative rooms also made us feel like we were inconveniencing him rather than assisting paying guests. Eventually, after another night, I reluctantly paid extra again just to move to a room overlooking the pool. As a resort centred around its water park, it was disappointing that one of the three main slide areas was closed for around half of our holiday. Once it reopened, a loose tile caused one of our family members to cut his foot. We also found a loose bolt lying on the poolside where guests regularly walk barefoot. While the bolt itself wasn’t sharp, it shouldn’t have been left there in the first place. These incidents raised concerns about the general maintenance of the resort. The hotel overall felt quite tired. There were visible signs of wear throughout the rooms, including worn furniture, and many areas looked shabby rather than the polished appearance shown in promotional photographs. It was obvious that refurbishment work was taking place, but at the moment much of the resort still needs attention. The food was acceptable but fairly average. There was enough choice, but after a few days it became repetitive and wasn’t particularly memorable. There were, however, some genuine positives. The entertainment team worked incredibly hard, were always cheerful and did a fantastic job engaging both adults and children. The housekeeping staff were also lovely and kept our room clean every day, and the restaurant staff in the evenings were friendly and attentive. One experience at the end of our holiday, however, left a bad taste. We wanted to play tennis we were told there would normally be a charge. A member of staff then offered to let us have them for free if we left a positive TripAdvisor review and wanted us to complete it while they watched. This felt inappropriate and made me question how many positive reviews may have been influenced in a similar way. Overall, I genuinely wanted to enjoy this hotel because it has the foundations to be a fantastic family resort. The pools are great, the entertainment team deserve a lot of praise and the refurbishment may improve things in the future. However, at the time of our visit, poor customer service at reception, misleading room descriptions, maintenance issues and tired accommodation meant it simply didn’t match the rating we expected. I hope management takes this feedback constructively because the resort has real potential, but it isn’t there yet.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ABSOLUTELY PERFECT – A HOLIDAY TO REMEMBER! From the very moment we stepped through the doors, Pickalbatros Aqua Fun Club exceeded every single expectation we had – this hotel is truly amazing in every way! The warm welcome, beautiful surroundings, and incredible atmosphere set the tone for what turned out to be the most wonderful family holiday we’ve ever had. A massive, special thank you to Hafsah, Guest Relations Manager – she was absolutely wonderful! Nothing was ever too much trouble for her; she made sure every little detail was sorted for us instantly, checked in regularly to ensure we were happy, and went above and beyond to make our stay seamless and stress-free. Her kindness and professionalism are an absolute asset to this hotel. We also want to highlight Adil at the drinks bar – he was brilliant! Always friendly, smiling, and quick to look after us, he made sure our drinks were ready and exactly how we liked them every time. He brought such great energy to the evenings and made relaxing by the bar such a joy. And we simply have to mention Columbus Café inside the hotel – honestly, they serve the absolute best coffees we have ever tasted! Rich, perfectly made, and the ideal treat morning, noon or night. The team there are lovely too. The aqua park is fantastic for all ages – our children had the time of their lives, and there was plenty for us grown-ups to enjoy as well. The food selection is huge, with something delicious for everyone, the grounds are spotless and beautifully kept, and all staff we met were polite, helpful and genuinely happy to assist. If you’re thinking of booking – do it! You won’t find a better place for a family holiday in Morocco. We are already planning our return trip. Thank you Pickalbatros, and thank you to Hafsah, Adil and everyone who made our stay so magical! 🙏✨ Ps we made a big big mistake by booking two hotels on this trip. We moved to aqua mirage . Deffo made the wrong decision.

The staff and the housekeepers were exceptionally poor. I paid alot for this experience and would NOT recommend at all. It was all inclusive and we were 3 of us and were allowed two cups of pepsi between us so petty but the lady shima her name is. She is ahousekeeper she lies and complains about her job and doesnt clean your room when asked. Stay away from the hotel. Rather u spend 3000 pounds elsewhere.

hiba was wonderful and got me involved in all the activites which was the highlight of my holiday

The animation team are absolutely amazing! Super friendly and kept the kids entertained all day and night. They made the holiday really special for the full family