We wanted to stay in the thick of the medina on this trip, but that does come with some safety considerations. We also liked the idea of staying in a small independent riad.
Continue reading: Review: Riad Joya, Marrakech
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Great Review! But just out of curiosity: what do you mean with "safety considerations"?
Lovely review! It brings back happy memories of our recent trip to Marrakech in Sep '19.
We stayed at a similar property: Riad Tarabel, which we highly recommend.
We also spent some time 'glamping' in the nearby desert: INARA CAMP in Agafay.
@ Marina -- I think that's going to be the next post in the series. The Marrakech medina is safe...ish. But it's different if you're exploring during the day versus two women walking back to a riad at night.
@ R B -- Riad Tarabel was our top pick, but only their top suite was available that week, which seemed like a bit much for this trip.
Thanks for the detailed review. Looks like a great place to stay! I stayed outside of the medina when I visited Marrakech but would love to stay at a riad next time.
Also had a wonderful 3-night stay in Marrakech at Riad Magellan. Similar experience, although when I was there only 2 of the 7 rooms were occupied + myself -- leaving 4 rooms vacant. Booked a specific room, it was wonderful and met all my needs. Impeccably clean, always freshened up, and decorated well.
The interior courtyard was tranquil but the rooftop deck was brilliant. No plunge pool but plenty of places to sit, read, nap, etc.
Being a solo traveler, and only 4 other guests, gotta say felt a bit self conscious because it was a ratio of like 1:1 staff to guest and it was almost like they were watching every move waiting to offer me something, clean up, see if I needed them to prepare something, etc.
@Tiffany - Out of interest how did you go with being gluten free? I have coeliac (celiac) so always interested. Thanks
@ MDA -- Mmm, I think my experience is different than most, because in addition to gluten I have to avoid avenin (oats) and quinoa. So I usually avoid any kinds of substitutions, and typically only eat grilled meats, cheeses, nuts, and vegetables. But English is well-spoken in Morocco, so you can likely communicate what you need, and higher-end places can probably accommodate. But honestly, the only times I've gotten sick in the past few years were in Laos (Chinese culinary influence means wheat-based soy sauce in nearly everything), or in the US (where being "gluten free" is trendy, so many restaurants don't take it as a serious allergy).
AnaYela - a Marriott property. 4 total bedrooms, each unique. Great views over Marrakesh at sunset and very personal, dedicated service from the staff. An absolute bargain in Bonvoy points. We arrived in desperate need of laundry service after being in Lebanon and Croatia. $10 and all our laundry was done and air dried.
Wonderful! Thank you, Tiffany! We spent 10 days in Morocco a 'few' years back for my 50th birthday and we were in Marrakech for the actual day of celebration. We had an amazing cooking experience (gluten included--sorry) and stay at La Maison Arabe https://www.cenizaro.com/lamaisonarabe/marrakech It looks like they are now part of a larger group. The special dessert and pampering for my birthday, including flower petals on the bed, was over the top. A spectacular stay! I am glad we made it because we were flying Air France during one of their strikes. We got lucky and missed out on only a few hours of our trip AND cashed in on the travel insurance because of the delay. Sometimes,it all works out really well!
Enjoyed the article. We had a superb stay at Riad el Fenn only 400 yards from Djamal el Fnaa square with a cozy rooftop terrace/ lounge with great views including koutoubia mosque.
We also did a great cooking class at the Maison el Arab where we made delicious Pastilla.
Great review, never really had much of an urge to visit Morocco, but this series is changing my mind.
Everything about this property looks amazing... except for the insides of the shower in your room.
Yikes! It looks absolutely disgusting.
Is it literally covered in black slime and mold? Or did y'all use sk.e of the black olive soap in there before taking the pics?
@ Jonathan -- It's neither slime nor mold, though I agree it's unattractive. This is something that happens naturally to finished concrete when it absorbs moisture. My kitchen counters do the same thing if I wash them on humid days (the porous material soaks up the water, and with a higher dew point it can't evaporate as quickly). Suspect this doesn't happen in Summer, and possibly not in Winter.
Lovely review about one of my favorite cities in the world.
I usually stay at the Riad L'Orangeraie (not the fancy and famous one, but the one with only 6 rooms) or the Fairmont Royal Palm which I can both recommend. The Riad being similar to the experience you described above, although maybe a bit more personal.
As for the cooking course, you should have gone to La maison arabe and taken one there, it's usually in a group so not really personal, but everybody cooks their own meal which you eat together after which gives you a chance to chat with the other participants which is lovely.
As for safety concerns I understand what you mean, although I'd argue that certain cities in the US are more unsafe at night than Marrakech.
@Tiffany - read about oats on the coeliac Australia site. They have a different view to the US or UK. ( https://www.coeliac.org.au/uploads/65701/ufiles/Position_Statements/CAPSOats.pdf).
BTW - I also can't either oats or quinoa (or leafy greens but that is another disease!). Interestingly Laos was fine for me. China I find a nightmare.
Thanks for your feedback.
Well. I must say... as a newbie in Marrakech in 1982... marrying a fantastic girl, giving me the insight and affection for this fabulous city, country and culture, I know all this that you and your review tries to serve us here.
Adding that I am also an architect, with affection and knowledge to this amazing place on earth and in civilization, lucky to have done works with the best in (this) town.
I also quickly ended up a muslim.
And I am disappointed.
Your own image as expert on the vast range of topics, from religion, food, interiors, city/medina spaces and alleys, people (yeah, they are people, not servants), life, is almost all over quite disqualified.
Coming in with an almost colonial attitude and a very flawed, biased curiosity, focusing on rather unnecessary and stupid details....
Missing the target, am sorry to say.
You see, but you don't recognize.
That's my (not) humble opinion.
Though it is, I admit, impossible to have a real understanding or opinion on Marrakech, from one (first?) raid.
But then one shouldn't pretend to be some authority on the topic either.