Dar Boutouil

Our plans changed, so this wasn't our first choice of destination, but we ended up very happy we came. The place was peaceful and well-connected, and Driss was so friendly. Fatima made us delicious Moroccan breakfasts every day. Definitely somewhere we'd recommend.

Every day the housekeeping was done, and the woman who cleaned our room was incredibly kind, though I don't know her name. The staff were friendly, smiling and helpful, and we got excellent service from our airport arrival onward. Breakfast was really good and traditional. The riad is quiet, welcoming and well located, with good restaurants and a spa within walking distance. We had a lovely stay and would gladly return to this beautiful, welcoming country.

The room we were given smelled strongly of sewage, was dirty and run-down. We spent two nights there before finally being moved, and then saw the same room rented to another couple without any repairs. The ground-floor lounge is supposed to be for guests, but it felt like staff space, and going in made us uncomfortable. At reception they immediately asked for the €10 per person tax. Luckily, I'd exchanged money at the airport. The one plus was being close to Jemaa el-Fna square, but I'd rather stay farther away somewhere better. The city and its people are fantastic, thankfully, but our stay was terrible. I wish zero stars were an option.

The comfort is pretty basic, but the place is clean and right in the heart of Marrakesh, so you can walk to everything. The employees are the real highlight, helpful, kind, and always smiling. A good place to stay if you're on a modest budget.