The Palais Salaam has had a chequered history since it was sold a few years ago. The setting is unmatched but it was in need of a little refurbishment. The new owners must have overgeared themselves as they immediately sold off all the lovely old lamps and replaced them with cheap modern ones. For a while the workers did not get paid and it seemed that rather than saving the place the sale had speeded its decline. The tide turned, staff were paid, the moroccan restaurant was reupholstered and new showers built by the pool. The cost was that the old silver service dinner was replaced by a buffet more suitable to the Japanese tour groups now using it.
The situation must have reversed again as the staff have not been paid again for over 6 months and the Hotel is now subject to an official union picket line. "Back office" staff are clearly pleased when you turn away not wishing to cross the picket line. The porter and front of house staff are clearly more in two minds as tipps from guests are their only hope of income.
