Riad Mounana luxurious palace & spa

The location in the Medina didn’t feel comfortable to me. The riad seems to be in a lower part of town, and walking around nearby made me uneasy. They also asked us several times to leave a five-star review, then sent another message asking for one, so this is my honest experience of Mounana Riad. Most of the staff were friendly, no question, but I was still quite disappointed. The listing on Booking.com calls the place “luxury,” which didn’t match how it felt. There was hair on the sheets when I arrived, and I had to ask for fresh ones. Our double room had one bath towel, no toiletries, and no tissues, so I had to request those too. I noticed dust on the table and left it alone rather than making myself feel worse. The facilities seemed old, and after a shower the water drained very slowly.

The staff were kind, though quite disorganized. They didn’t even know the price of two bottles of water. I didn’t try the food, so I can’t comment on it. The rooms looked much darker and less welcoming than the pictures. The smell was the worst part, coming from outside and from the toilet, which had a smell like an ecological toilet. Cockroaches showed up in the toilet every evening. The sheets didn’t look clean, and the floor wasn’t cleaned properly either. There was sand on the ground from the first day, and it stuck to our feet. Our room had five beds but just one charger, even though there were only two of us.

The tanneries smell very strong. It might not be a problem in winter, but when it’s hot, you can definitely smell them. The place is advertised as a luxurious palace and spa, but it’s nowhere near either. Some window gaps were big enough to see through, and getting the windows shut properly was difficult. Noudine was plainly rude and very unprofessional, acting as though he was being punished by being there. When they forgot our early breakfast, he behaved as if it was our fault instead of a communication problem among staff. The food cost far too much for what you got, since you could find food elsewhere for a third of the price. They tried to charge for water served with the meal, which we hadn’t ordered and assumed was included. Paying by card meant they tried to add tax on top, and we got no payment confirmation.

The hosts were always on hand with sightseeing suggestions and made sure things went smoothly. Their warm welcome made me feel at home, and the riad’s authentic atmosphere and thoughtful care made the visit special. I had an unforgettable stay in this beautiful place. Highly recommended.