Riad Marelia

Stay away from this place. My friend booked a single room and I booked a suite through Expedia, but on arrival I was told the suite was already booked and I’d have to share with him. The man there didn’t speak English and refused to communicate through Google Translate, repeatedly telling me to “speak French.” I spent nearly an hour trying to sort it out before giving up and booking a riad around the corner. We paid the room tax in euros, and when I gave him €30 for a €22 tax, he returned just 2 euros in MAD. When I went back for my friend, he was arguing with the man, who wouldn’t let him leave until he paid the tax again. I handed over another €30 just to end the confrontation. I wound up paying an extra €200 for a last-minute place nearby, and they’re telling Expedia not to refund me. I’m tempted to call the police because I feel this guy stole from me. Don’t stay here.

Brahim’s warm, friendly hospitality made our three-night stay special. He manages the riad and gave us useful trip advice. The place is very pretty, with a large terrace, and it’s close to Bahia palace, though the area gets a bit dark at night. A couple of things to know before booking: the advertised pool isn’t really somewhere you can sit or swim, and guests aren’t given a key to the main entrance. You have to wait for someone to open it, which can be awkward if you return late. Even so, we had an amazing experience and would definitely recommend it.

The place was spotless and peaceful, and the staff were friendly, always smiling. The keeper was a kind older gentleman who clearly cared about guests. He offered my friend and me tea and asked when we’d be up for breakfast. I can’t understand the low ratings, this was one of the best places I’ve stayed. The one downside is that guests don’t get a key, so you have to ring and wait for him to let you in. Sometimes we were left waiting on the street for 1-20 minutes, so keep that in mind.

The bathroom was really nice, but the beds were the worst part. The mattresses were bent and I slept terribly. The hotel needs maintenance: lamps were held with tape and everything was dusty. Check-in didn’t go smoothly, so be aware if booking through Booking. It’s very close to the Medina, though the surrounding streets didn’t feel safe at night. The street-facing window only has a wooden panel, which does nothing to block the noise.