Riad Dar Thania

Mohamed served a VERY good breakfast in the lounge or patio, always discreet and ready to help. Lady Ilham and Lady Fatima were also wonderful, and together the team did everything they could to make our stay pleasant. We booked dinner at the Riad on our last night, and it was phenomenal. The lentil, pickle, and potato salad was delicious, as were the beef and lamb tangines. We couldn't finish it all, and I had to leave almost all of my beloved chocolate dessert. The rooms were spacious, the beds comfortable, and the linens soft. Having both air conditioning and heating was a godsend, since nighttime temperatures dropped to 5°C. Pierre, the delightful owner, welcomed us, shared the key information, and told us about the riad and its history. The place is designed for a peaceful, comfortable stay, with traditional furnishings that are original or recreated by artisans using the same materials and tools as the original builders. Beautiful Ludwig Deutsch and Alfons Mucha Art Nouveau reproductions hang in the living room. The riad's central-south Medina location puts narrow shop and workshop-lined streets just steps away. We stayed four days at Riad Dar Chacha, and it was a great way to experience traditional Marrakesh. A couple of things weren't quite right: the bathroom was cold because the air conditioning was only in the bedroom, though leaving the door open helped. The shower drained slowly, as Pierre had warned us it would, but it shouldn't have. The ancient room door also didn't close tightly, though I understand the original furnishings were important to preserve during renovation. None of this would make me hesitate to return. We'd already tried recommended restaurants, but I'm glad we had dinner at the Riad. If you're after Four Seasons-level European luxury, this probably isn't the place for you. Then again, if that kind of hotel is your top priority, should you be spending your holiday in Hamburg or Milano?