Marhaba Royal Salem Hotel

The room was not clean and did not meet expectations. It had three beds but only one guest, the furniture was old, and the linens were dirty. The breakfast was good, but I do not recommend it due to the lack of cleanliness.

Friendly staff, clean, good central location.

best and the best

I’m truly disappointed to be writing this review, because this hotel used to be one of my absolute favorites. I’ve always loved the energy, especially thanks to the amazing animation team. A huge shoutout to Mr. Mamadou, Léo, and Mr. Badis — they made our vacation vibrant, joyful, and full of unforgettable moments. When you’re around the animation team, you forget about everything else. They are truly the soul of the hotel. Unfortunately, the rest of the experience didn’t live up to that same positive energy. A few negative interactions left a lasting impact and have sadly changed my view of this place entirely. ⸻ ❌ What went wrong: • Cold and disrespectful reception experience: Upon arrival, I was barely acknowledged. Despite showing my voucher, the receptionist told me I had no reservation. There was no welcome, no smile, no information about meals or services — just a key handed over with no explanation. It felt dismissive and unprofessional. I couldn’t help but wonder if I was being judged for being a backpacker or not “looking luxurious” enough. • Ants in the room: For a 4-star hotel, this is unacceptable. Cleanliness and basic pest control should be a given, especially considering the price. • Chaotic lunch service: The restaurant was disorganized and understaffed. Even getting a glass required queuing, which is not what you expect from a supposed 4-star resort. • Rude and humiliating treatment at checkout: This was the worst part of my stay. At checkout, a receptionist with glasses was not just cold, but openly rude and disrespectful in her tone. As I was leaving, another staff member at the entrance stopped me and said, in a condescending voice: “Did you leave the key inside? Because when you leave a hotel, you’re supposed to.” The implication was clear — he assumed I was ignorant, purely based on how I looked. That comment was incredibly humiliating and felt like a slap in the face after what had been (thanks to the animation team) an otherwise joyful stay. ⸻ ✅ What was good: • The animation team is exceptional. They’re the reason I came back to this hotel. They bring joy, warmth, and genuine human connection — something that’s unfortunately missing from the reception staff. ⸻ 📝 Final thoughts: It breaks my heart to say this, but I don’t think I’ll be returning. I used to love this hotel, but now I feel judged, mistreated, and unwelcome — not just as a guest, but as a person. If the hotel truly wants to maintain its reputation, I strongly urge management to invest in proper training and attitude improvement for the front desk staff. One smile, one kind word — it makes all the difference. Until then, I’ll cherish the memories made with the animation team, but sadly, I’ll be looking elsewhere for my future vacations.