Riad Darmouassine

The upstairs bedrooms each had their own style, air conditioning, private bathroom, and plenty of space, so we all had privacy. Downstairs, the main bedroom felt like an oasis, and the peaceful courtyard with its banana tree and yellow chairs made the place feel like our own little wonderland. Eric welcomed us and gave us a quick orientation, so we settled in fast. The upstairs lounge was lovely and quiet at night, though it was too hot for us to enjoy during the day. We did get to swim under the stars one night and loved it. The staff were friendly, and the dinner we arranged was tasty. They offer massages onsite for an extra charge, but ours wasn’t worth it. The masseuse didn’t seem experienced and kept moving between my feet, arms, back, and legs. I’d still highly recommend booking this place.

The riad was a calm retreat in a hectic city, close to the Medina edge for easy luggage handling and just a short walk from the souks. Erick has furnished it beautifully, keeping its traditional Moroccan feel while adding a modern touch. The courtyard is a gorgeous center to the house, and the rooms are all different and comfortable. The pool and rooftop are great places to relax. We booked the whole place through AirBnb for fantastic value. Erick was a wonderful host and offered airport transfers, massages, and three meals a day. We chose breakfast only so we could explore the food around town. Nezha made lovely breakfasts each morning, with fresh fruit, breads, yogurt, and drinks. Thanks again for taking such good care of us. We hope to come back!

The location was convenient, close to the big marketplace in the Medina, and the riad itself is cozy with a lovely rooftop. We might have rated it higher if we’d visited in summer. Nothing was heated, so we were cold throughout the stay. Most of the staff weren’t very attentive, though the breakfast kitchen staff were super nice. The pool hadn’t been cleaned, we weren’t given shampoo, and there were no door locks, so we carried our valuables around all day.

The rooms are spacious and the pool and everything else look just like the pictures. We were a little concerned about coming to Marrakech as a gay couple, but staying here was a non-issue and the welcome was warm. My one complaint is that smoking is allowed in the riad. We’re non-smokers, and smoke drifted into our room during the day and at night, which we didn’t enjoy.