Riad L'Etoile D'Orient

We spent four nights at Riad Hotel I’Etoile d’ Orient and had a great stay. The staff welcomed us warmly, showed us a map of Marrakesh, and pointed out common tourist traps. We always felt comfortable walking back to this very central riad, even late at night. Our room was beautiful and very clean. Riads can be noisy by design, but the other guests were respectful and quiet when they came in late, so it wasn’t really an issue. We spent quite a bit of time reading on the rooftop sunbeds and had the excellent breakfast there every morning. I’d absolutely recommend this riad for a stay in Marrakesh.

Our group booked Dar Emerauld, listed as three-star interior accommodation, and Dar Green Diamond, listed as five-star. Dar Green Diamond was beautiful inside, with large bedrooms. Dar Emerauld had been partly updated, but its bedrooms were small and the bathroom tiles were crumbling. The two houses were a 3-4 minute walk from the main Riad l’Etoile d’Orient. Getting to them meant walking along dirty side streets with lots of construction debris, burning plastic, and litter. As a first stay in a Medina riad, it was a shock. It felt like walking through a rundown ghetto, and I totally wouldn’t recommend it. Neither house had signage, and trash from prior visitors was left outside. The house manager was very welcoming, and the private breakfast was great, but that didn’t make up for the location and the outside condition of the accommodation, which I’d give zero stars. It didn’t feel luxurious, and the location was very stressful. Photos show the exterior. I wish someone had shared them before I booked. The nicer pictures are in other reviews.

Azedine, the first assistant, and Nadira, the house manager, were real gems 💎💎💎. The staff made our stay at the geeen Diamond riad feel like a true Moroccan dream, offering great suggestions and going above and beyond to help us. Thank you for everything!

The rest of the riad looked beautiful, and from what I saw and read in other reviews, it seems like a lovely place to stay. The spa, though, fell far short and left me uncomfortable and disappointed, especially since this was for my mother's birthday. I booked a one-hour hammam and “royal” massage for €80, already on the expensive side for the area, but the whole treatment was barely 30 minutes. The hammam wasn't hot, and the bright, supermarket-like lights did nothing to make the room relaxing. Upbeat pop and club music played during the massage, which didn't fit a calm spa setting at all. They hadn't told me they only accepted cash, so on the night before my departure I had to walk about 15 minutes to find an ATM. When I mentioned the treatment was shorter than promised, the manager got defensive and even brought up calling the police if I didn't pay, although I fully intended to pay.