Riad Zaitouna Chaouen

The Medina location is hard to beat, with everything we wanted to see within walking distance, and the terrace views were stunning, especially at sunset. The beds were super comfy and we slept amazingly well. Still, for the hospitality we got, our tiny room felt a little overpriced. It was almost too small for two people to stand in at once, so it might be okay for one night, but I’d book a larger one for a longer stay. We spent nearly a full day without hot water, so couldn’t shower. The place runs on solar energy, which is great, but someone only fixed the water after we asked three times. The shower also has no curtain, so the whole bathroom gets wet each time. There was no mint tea on arrival, which felt strange after having it everywhere else we stayed in Morocco. Breakfast was nice, but again there was no mint tea option. We don’t drink coffee and look forward to mint tea in the morning. We asked each day and only got regular tea bags. We paid much less elsewhere in Morocco for a better experience. A 3.5/5 would feel fair 😊

The Riad is in a fantastic spot, and without that location this review would be much worse. But when we arrived, hauling our bags uphill in the heat, nobody was there and nobody answered the WhatsApp number on the locked door. A nearby shop owner kindly called the owner on their personal number, and it still took about 15 minutes for them to arrive. Breakfast was meant to be served, but one person was preparing it and there was nowhere left to sit, so we skipped it. We also wanted a porter to take our bags down out of the Medina, but couldn’t find a manager, so we had to organize it ourselves.

The rooftop terrace was a lovely place for a quiet evening, with a nice view of the city. I booked two rooms for one night at Riad Zaitouna Chaouen, in the heart of Chefchaouen’s medina. The riad has charming traditional decor and a peaceful, authentic feel. Both rooms were clean and comfortable, although one was smaller than I expected. The staff were welcoming and helpful, and check-in was smooth. A cozy local spot for a short stay, and I’d consider coming back.

Bugs were near the mattress on the floor where I slept, and there was no toilet paper. Noise continued late into the night, making for an unpleasant stay. We’d booked two separate rooms for four people at Riad Zaitouna, including one described as a “mountain room view,” but when we reached Chefchaouen our WhatsApp messages and calls went unanswered. We’d been trying to confirm the stay and get walking directions from the drop-off point. When we arrived, they put us in one room outside the glass and main blue door, out on the Main Street, and another room in the first-floor lobby. We were later told the mountain view room had already been given to other guests. We could give up the first-floor room, where four of us were staying, for that room, but it only fit two. The manager eventually arranged a mattress on the floor in the first-floor room so all four of us could sleep together instead of splitting up with two people in the street-side room. I wouldn’t recommend this Riad. There are many others that are hospitable and honest.