Riad Salma De Groot

The location worked really well for us, close to the Medina and Jemaa el Fnaa square, but far enough from the bustle that it stayed quiet. The family running the place made us feel welcome as soon as we arrived. It’s a traditional, charming riad with several floors, a lot of history, and an authentic, homely feel. Our room was comfortable and well equipped, though a little small, and there was air conditioning and heating for Morocco’s changing weather. Breakfast was included; we ate there twice and the staff serving it were lovely. They also offer a restaurant, hamman massage, and different excursions. We didn’t try the restaurant.

Breakfast was a traditional Moroccan spread, heavy on the bread, which suited us well. The riad is just a two-minute walk from the main medina. It was a little tricky to find on the main road. Our first room faced the road and was too noisy, but they changed it after we mentioned the problem, which we appreciated. A good pick if you’re after a traditional Moroccan riad.

The superior room was dirty and noisy, with drain smells and traffic fumes. We barely slept before 4am because someone kept knocking coded patterns on the riad’s front door every ten minutes through the night while pickups of substances were happening. We’d booked two nights but left at 7am and found another riad so we could sleep and feel safe in bed. There are plenty of nice places to stay in Marrakech, but this wasn’t one of them. Be wary of the many fake reviews. If you’ve already booked, bring earplugs and bedbug spray. It was awful, and expensive compared with other riads in Marrakech.

Steven was kind and easy to reach whenever we needed him. The room was very clean, though we wished the pillows were better. The rooftop is a nice little spot for breakfast, and there’s a pool, but it isn’t heated. Convenient location and a good stay overall.