Riad Xo

The family suite worked perfectly for us, with a huge king-size bed downstairs, two single beds upstairs, two bathrooms, and a lovely seating area just outside. For the space and service, we thought it was good value. You might find a cheaper riad elsewhere in Marrakech, but if you want a somewhat more luxurious stay with exceptional hospitality, this one is worth it. Service was what really set Riad XO apart. My family needed help a few times, and the staff went above and beyond each time. We came back around 10:30pm one evening to find nearby restaurants closed. A staff member went out of his way to make us a meal and even brought dessert from his own home. After we accidentally left our passports behind at checkout, the team found them right away and came to meet our taxi nearby so we didn’t have to return with our luggage. Outhman welcomed us with traditional Moroccan tea and biscuits, then took time to explain what to see in Marrakech. He downloaded an offline map onto our phone so we could find our way around the medina without internet, and gave us a WhatsApp number to use any time we needed help or suggestions. The building is beautiful and unusually designed across several levels, with two courtyards, seating spots downstairs and upstairs, and a rooftop terrace with sunset views towards the mountains. It all feels peaceful and thoughtfully done. The location is great for shopping and sightseeing, about a five-minute walk from Ben Youssef Madrasa, in an area that felt a little less hectic than other parts of the medina. We ate very well, especially the harira soup. Breakfast is a traditional Moroccan preset meal, usually with several types of bread, cake, fruit, and yoghurt, which was particularly tasty. You can ask for eggs. It’s worth knowing that it isn’t a buffet style breakfast. There’s also a spa and hammam on site, though we didn’t try them. We had a fantastic stay and would return. I took off one star for the room because it would have been good to have slippers, a tea or coffee machine, and a hair dryer there when we arrived.

I wasn’t staying at the Riad, but we were trying to find a doctor whose office Google Maps showed next door. We had trouble locating it, so we asked inside. The staff member who answered was incredibly kind and helpful, and even called the doctor to try to sort things out. The main area looked beautiful too. I’d definitely book here on another visit to Marrakesh.

We spent two nights at Riad XO in October 2025, and the staff were all incredibly friendly and helpful. Their service was next level. They took time to understand what we were looking for and came up with great ideas to improve our time in Marrakech. I’d definitely recommend the cooking class at the riad with Chef Hafid. We shared stories while learning to cook, and came away with a deeper understanding of Moroccan culture and people. Hafid is warm and friendly, and we really enjoyed spending time with him.

Riad XO was ideal for my first time in marrakech. The staff were attentive and looked after us the whole way through, with plenty of jokes too. They even offered to walk us to our early morning excursion pick-up points, which was perfect for female travellers. The location made exploring easy, just 10-15 mins from the medina, and we never needed a taxi. The riad looked just as it does in the photos, with a calm, relaxing feel. 10000% recommend!!!