This deluxe international property of the Sheraton chain is located in the Ville Nouvelle. While it is not the most convenient location for travelers, it is a healthy walk or short taxi ride to the medina, the Menara pavilion, and the train and bus stations. In fact, its location is probably a plus for the businessperson who may be going to the nearby Congress Center. The hotel, with 287 rooms, debuted in 1969 and was renovated in 1993.

The Sheraton is like a modern version of a walled city, as you enter and exit past patrolled gateways. The complimentary parking lot fronts the property. The lobby is vast and comfortably swanky, with quaint paintings depicting scenes from the colorful Place Djemaa al-Fna. There is a check-in desk and also a concierge desk that will check in guests who are members of the Starwood program. After an exhausting and uncertain night-day journey from Fes, it was a welcome relief to be greeted by personable faces and a freshly brewed glass of mint tea (read "Marrakesh Express" sections).

To emulate the stylistic preferences of Moroccan houses, the Sheraton is designed inwardly with linear blocks of hotel rooms surrounding a tropical courtyard with a posh outdoor pool. Our standard room was comfortable enough, but nothing outrageously opulent. Our reasonably sized room with two double beds had a balcony, with cool views overlooking the pool and with glimpses of the Atlas Mountains in the distance. The toilet and bidet were in a separate room from the sink and bathtub, stocked with your usual toiletries. The mini-bar was locked with a key that you must for at the front desk, so we said forget it. We had an in-room safe in the closet.

There are many restaurants at the Sheraton (at least five or six), including a swim-up bar in the outdoor pool. There is a business center situated way beyond the blocks of hotel rooms in its own set of buildings. The hotel also lists tennis courts and a health club on the premises, but we did have time to examine these facilities. There are a couple of shops in the lobby, and sometimes there is a local artisan selling crafts by the poolside.

There is a taxi stand located just south of the hotel, although the cabbies here do not seem anxious to activate the meters or give you a good rate. You can comfortably walk west to the Menara Gardens or east to the Koutoubia minaret and the medina, but it may be wise to grab a cab for the train or bus stations.