Like Fes, Meknes and Rabat, Marrakech is one of Morocco's famous Imperial Cities. Renowned for its wonderful climate and for a setting as remarkable as it is varied, it is currently one of the world's top travel hotspots. With palaces and palm groves, rose gardens, and a backdrop of the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas mountains it is the capital of the Moroccan South, a cultural crossroads and keeper of tradition and folklore. The ancient pink-walled medina contains a wealth of rich architectural heritage, and the real highlight - Place Djemaa el Fna - is like no other square in the world!
The choice of accommodation in Marrakech is bewildering - from numerous characterless apartments to over 100 hotels where do you start? My recommendation is to look local and head for the medina of Marrakech to stay in a traditional riad. A riad is a typical Moroccan house built around a central courtyard, very private and with windows looking inwards over the courtyard rather than outwards.
In Marrakech there over 700 to choose from - often with just a handful of rooms, staying in a riad offers a real taste of Morocco.So with so many to choose where do you start? After making over 30 trips to Marrakech in the past 3 years I've had the opportunity to visit many beautiful Marrakech riads - some converted into small boutique hotels, some private villa rentals and some homely bed and breakfasts. From my experiences here a few tips to bear in mind before making a booking:
1. Check the location of the riad. Marrakech medina is split into quarters and some quarters are better located than others, closer to attractions and better neighbourhoods. Riad Laarous is up and coming and ideal for Djemma el Fna and the souks, the Kasbah offers close proximity to palaces, whilst Mellah is the former Jewish quarter - good for gold shops.
2. Does the Marrakech riad have a pool? You'll need one for cooling off between June and September.
3. Log fires for the winter? Winter nights can get chilly and a roaring log fire sets the scene.
4. Only a handful of Marrakech riads include airport transfers - it's always nice to receive a hassle free airport transfer.
5. Have a look at a wide selection of Marrakech riad photos before booking - this will give you a really good feel for the condition of the riad - many are local houses that could do with some updates and may actually be quite depressing to stay in.
6. Check out how far the riad is from a street where taxis pass by - many are tucked away a long walk from transport.
7. Is the street leading to the Marrakech riad lit at night?
8. Does the district have a local nightwatchman - nice to have if you are coming in late in the evening.
9. Can the riad organise evening entertainment such as belly dancing or henna evenings?
10. Consideration for local people and the planet - are local people employed, is there solar water heating, and is local produce purchased to support local businesses?
Choosing a Marrakech Riad - 10 Top Tips