Riad Ben Youssef

We spent 16 nights here and never tired of breakfast. The basic room had lots of space for our things, and the AC was a real help in summer. We also loved the days by the pool. Marwane and Hakim took such good care of us throughout, and Hakim gave us a detailed welcome with useful things to know when we arrived. The Medina setting means you might occasionally run into odd characters, though we found that rare. Some reviews call the alley scary, but Marrakech felt very safe to us, and a simple “salam” was usually enough when passing people. The riad itself was comfortable, and we’re already looking forward to returning.

I could escape the midday heat in the pool, which was a great way to relax away from the city bustle. The room was lovely, with a comfortable bed and a bathroom that had everything I needed. Though right in the Medina, the riad felt tucked away and stayed very quiet.

The host greeted us with tea and shared helpful advice for getting around, and the staff were warm throughout. Breakfast was good, and I felt at home during my short stay. The riad’s lovely interior and pool were especially welcome on a hot day. It’s also very well placed for the souk, restaurants, Madrassa, and Secret Garden.

What stayed with me most was how peaceful this place felt in the middle of Marrakesh. The inner courtyard, rooftop, library, and other shared areas gave us plenty of room to relax, and the pool was a treat during the hot afternoons. Our room was clean and beautiful, with a wooden ceiling, green-tiled bathroom, and a genuinely comfortable bed, which can be unusual in riads. It also opened directly onto the rooftop, so it got lovely light and we could reach the pool by the spiral metal ladder. Hakim, Merwan, and the two kind women whose names I didn’t catch were all so helpful and available. We were fortunate to meet Bernard, the owner, who was very hospitable and happy to chat. The riad is on a quiet little street near the Medersa and Ben Youssef Mosque, yet close to the souk. For the price, it’s hard to imagine finding a better place. We’d stayed in pricier riads that didn’t come close to Ben Youssef, and I can’t recommend it enough.