Dar Akal

The level of hospitality really impressed me. I work in tourism and we’re both well travelled, but I hadn’t experienced service like this before. Everything was spotless, so we felt at home right away, and the staff were all lovely. Said, the manager, was exceptional. We booked a hammam treatment, which was fun, though there’s no steam room or pool, as those wouldn’t be possible in a small Riad. The massage was superb, and dinner on our arrival night was exquisite, as good as any restaurant we visited during the trip. Breakfast was delicious every morning, served on the sunny roof with birdsong. The place was exactly as pictured, and even better. A clear 10/10 for us, we couldn’t find a fault. Thanks for making our time so special and memorable.

A palace run by a king! The rooms are beautiful and luxurious, the Wi-Fi is great, and it’s completely quiet at night. The food and service were both great. Said, the manager, is a gem, incredibly kind and helpful. You couldn’t get a warmer welcome in Marrakech. Recommended.

Breakfast on the terrace was a treat. Over our four days it changed daily, with local breads, chapatis, cakes, omelets, fruit salads, yogurt, juices, and fresh marmalade. We also loved ending the day there with a pot of mint tea as the sun went down. The location is excellent for walking to the souk, Secret Garden, and Madrasa Ben Youssef, yet it stays so quiet. Getting to Dar Akal through the terracotta alleyways is an adventure. Step through the old wooden door and it feels like another world. Traditional details, orange blossom scent, a bubbling water feature, and big plants and trees in the central courtyard set a calm mood, with lounges and places to relax all around. The rooms are each different, comfortable, and cleaned daily. It’s peaceful, especially after a day seeing the sights and wandering the souks, with only little birds chattering on the rooftop. Said welcomed us warmly and shared maps, landmarks, and good places to visit and eat. He knows the area well and went out of his way to help with what we needed. All the staff were fantastic. We felt so at home that we really didn’t want to leave. We can’t recommend Dar Akal enough and will definitely return.

The terrace was a lovely quiet place to get away from the noisy streets, and the riad itself was very clean and comfortable, including the rooms. The souks were an easy walk of about five minutes, and we got used to the route after a day. There are fantastic restaurants around the corner. We enjoyed every minute. The staff were extremely friendly, and the owner answered all our questions. We always had a good chat.