Riad Ghali & Spa Hotel

Breakfast was quick to arrive, with nice typical Moroccan food, and the workers were friendly. There are plenty of places to sit, including a high rooftop terrace with a clear view over Marrakesh. The Riad is central in the medina, just minutes from Jemaa el-Fnaa and the souks, though it can be tricky to find. Our room was in an extension with canvas stretched over a wooden frame instead of a ceiling. It stayed cold even with the heater, and we could hear noise from the square and the city. Aside from that, I’d recommend it as a base for exploring Marrakesh.

Our room was small but lovely, with traditional Moroccan decor and very comfortable beds. The staff arranged an airport taxi and had someone meet us to carry our bags and guide us to the Riad, which was a warm welcome. It’s a peaceful, stunning place in the middle of the medina, close to the souks, with a beautiful rooftop terrace, lots of comfortable seating, and a lovely view.

The staff were generally nice, but the service and hygiene were awful. Our room was unhygienic, and even the bedsheets hadn’t been washed and changed. We’d paid in advance for four nights, but after seeing the room and the place, we booked another hotel right away and left on the first night. Even staying one night felt too unsafe and difficult. The Riad is deep in the Medina, which may sound like a plus, but getting there was difficult and the route felt shady. I felt very unsafe on the path, especially in the evening and at night. I know others have shared positive reviews, but our experience was utterly disappointing. I’d suggest they make some changes.

We booked six months ahead for the Christmas period and paid through Booking. Ten days before we were due to arrive, I got a WhatsApp message saying the room wasn’t available for technical reasons and that I had to cancel the booking myself. They offered no alternative, and kept pressuring us on WhatsApp to cancel, even though the booking was non-refundable. I had to contact Booking directly and arrange another hotel myself at more than twice the price. I also saw that they listed a room as available right after we cancelled. Avoid.