Riad Reda

The location is handy, near the Mellach and the royal palace gates, with an interesting synagogue close by. It’s a beautiful riad with lovely rooms. The bathroom felt a bit worn, but it was still okay.

The interior is beautiful, and my mom said her massage was fantastic. The location was okay, right in the middle of a souk, though there isn’t much real food within walking distance, so ordering in or going to Carrefour works better. The rooms were dirty, including the sheets and grimy floors, and there’s no daily housekeeping. Breakfast was okay, a buffet of food left out that wasn’t hot. Be careful with the laundry: they charge per item, not by weight, and didn’t tell us beforehand. We paid 918 DH (91 USD) for a bag of socks, underwear, two towels, linen pants, and plain T-shirts. Nothing was ironed, so it all came back wrinkled. We stayed two days as part of an On The Go Tours trip, and I wouldn’t return.

The courtyard is a welcoming oasis, with plenty of comfortable seating and very nice staff. Breakfast was basic but fresh, and the beds were firm but comfortable. Still, the rooms are small and dated, the linen is getting thin, and the lighting is dim but adequate. I didn’t try the TV. The bathroom needs attention. The shower is tiny, the caulking is coming away, and the shower rose flicker doesn’t work, so there’s no way to adjust the flow. The water took over four minutes to warm up, and the basin was blocked. No drinking water was provided. It was a fairly nice stay, but I find the five-star ratings misleading.

Hamsa and Ried (not sure how to spell his name) took great care of us, and the breakfast was nourishing, probably the best we had in Morocco. My husband and I also really liked being outside the tourist bubble of the new Medina, in a neighborhood full of local families, kids, and markets. The riad is even more beautiful in person than in the photos, especially the handpainted details. We highly recommend it.