Borj Dar Lamane

The staff looked after us really well and were lovely throughout. We had a great time with our group of friends at Bouchra's Riad. Its location in the medina worked perfectly, and inside we could properly unwind. The rooms and bathrooms were great too.

We were a large group, and the kind, helpful staff made it work for us. The Riad is ideally placed for exploring the Souks. I especially recommend having dinner there, it was some of the best I’ve had in Marrakesh.

The advertised taxi access was misleading in practice. We were dropped at the end of the road, then our luggage went in a market trolley and we had to walk 15 minutes because cars and taxis can’t fit down the narrow road. I asked the owner for the exact location for car access but never got it. Inside, the place was dirty. There was faeces on the towels and the blankets were dirty and smelled bad. The caretaker felt intimidating and scary, and didn’t speak English, so communicating with the owners became a three-way conversation. We were taken up 40 stairs and told to drink cold tea and give the caretaker money before finally getting a padlock for our room. In my opinion, the dirt and safety issues make this one of the worst places to stay in Marrakech. I wouldn’t consider it suitable for women travelling alone or with friends, and think it may suit lads looking to do as they please.

The part I’ll remember most about Riad Borj Dar Lamane is how thoughtfully Bouchra and Rahal looked after me. I was catching an early bus to Essaouira, before the usual breakfast time, and they arranged food just for me. Rahal showed me the breakfast room and what would be set out, and explained how to warm my Msemen and Coffee in the microwave before 7:30 am. They didn’t have to do that, and it made me a fan of them both. Bouchra had already made arriving easier, too. She contacted me the day before to ask about my plans and insisted I call her from the taxi so she could guide the driver to the Riad. Rahal met me at the taxi drop-off, showed me to my room and around the place, and was one of the warmest, kindest people I’ve met. He spoke in a mix of Darija and French, and I still understood a lot despite knowing neither language. My room was huge, the biggest I had in Morocco, with a bathroom about the size I’d expect in suburban America. It even had two showers, one attached to a tiled bathtub. There’s a big common area at the entrance and a spacious rooftop. The bed was so comfortable I slept like a baby. For getting around, the Riad is right by Place Ben Saleh, where there are grocery stores and phone-recharge shops. They’re right there, so no need to ask a tout for directions. Jem El Fna square is about 12 minutes away if you don’t get lost, but leave a time cushion. Place Ben Saleh may be where you need to catch a cab if you can’t find one there. The Medina around it is labyrinthine, and Google Maps can really struggle, so note landmarks during the day. I only had trouble finding my way back once, on my last night. Getting to know shopkeepers on your route to the square helps. This was the last place I stayed in Marrakech, and it was comfortable from start to finish. A huge thank you to Bouchra for being hospitable and so perceptive about what her guests need.