"Two week stay at Radisson Residences Taghazout Bay Agadir Morrocco.
We have returned from a relaxing stay at Radisson Residences which is located high on a hill above Taghazout Bay. Those with mobility issues might consider hiring a car or using taxis ( More later) The apartments are new with bright airy spaces in the Scandi style and well-appointed, in fact the knife sharpener we always take for self -catering was not needed. Also, because the apartments are new you may experience minor snagging issues. Everyone we met was helpful, kind and responded immediately to our requests. Although we brushed up on school French we found that English is widely spoken for everyday communications. We expected a basic continental breakfast and were surprised to have in addition, omelette and salad delivered to our apartment after a quick phone call to Sarah at reception.
We enjoyed our chats with Sarah and Moktar and would like to thank Sarah who is warm, welcoming and has a good sense of humour. It was needed for our poor attempts to communicate in French.[ “Please will you speak in English now”.] She was always helpful as was the Manager Moktar. A useful piece of information was that android phones sometimes could not access WIFI because the phones may have a firewall switched on and he showed us how to remove it.
Unfortunately we did not have the chance to thank our Maid who had the weekend off when we left. She was very efficient, warm and willing and she carried Instant Voice Translate to communicate with us. The porters who brought our breakfast always arrived quickly and were keen to see that we had everything we needed. Thanks too to the gate porter who rescued me on an occasion when I exhausted myself from walking too far. Yusef the Jet2 Rep also shared useful information.
Regarding changing money, contrary to perceived wisdom we had a better exchange rate at the airport on arrival than the ATM in Awrir.
This area really is alcohol free but you can be served in restaurants and some hotels.
Getting around: The Courtesy bus is shared with other hotels often available mid morning and afternoon. Sarah arranged it for us particularly on the first day when we needed supplies. I saw a couple carrying take away food from the Bay and we were told that taxis deliver for a small fee. I wanted to be independent of the usual hotel scene and to get out and about under our own steam. We are well into retirement but active although I need a knee replacement. So, turning right outside the main entrance, a 7 minute walk downhill took us to 9 flights of about 18 steps down towards the beach but walking for a further minute took us to only 3 flights of steps. There are no grocery shops but there are bus stops on the road below. From here, travel to the right on the clean, modern bus taking the L33 or L32 to Taghazout where there are numerous eating places and lots to see. The drivers have some English and it costs 6MDH [48p] Travel to the left to Tamraght [8MDH] about 12 minutes to H’Kid grocery shop. It also has a butcher and they speak English. A little further on the next village Awrir [The banana village] is larger and had a street market when we went. Also, In the same direction you can travel to Carre Four the only place to buy alcohol or go on to Agadir [8MDH]. Timing is flexible but it’s a holiday. I googled to find my way around on buses etc. Taxis are also cheap. We paid 100MDH from Taghazout to the Raddison but it can cost less if you share.
There is a lovely boardwalk along the beach and I managed to get to Taghazout with a few rests.
February is out of season so the Kiosks in the Bay were still closed. We enjoyed the service and drinks at Home Café and Pure Passion a restaurant which served generous carefully prepared meals. Pure Passion also serves Asian style food.
We enjoyed our stay and wanted to cover here some of the things we would find useful without spoiling anyone’s opportunity to explore the area. For us a two week stay with little to do in the evening was too long and 10 to 12 days would have suited us better but we are at the mercy of flight times."