Riad Zahir

The souks and busy streets of Marrakech can wear you out, but inside the walls of Riad Zahir it was so peaceful and quiet, despite being close to the main streets. Helena made us feel lucky to have chosen this place. She waited up into the early hours to greet us after our late flight, and was generous with her time, advice, and help throughout. We were struck by the authentic, beautiful interiors and how clean everything was. Helena and Fatima made wonderful breakfasts without ever rushing us. On departure day, Helena kept our luggage and let us use the facilities and keep the keys well past checkout. We can’t recommend this Riad enough. Ger and Mike Smyth

We felt safe at the riad during the earthquake, and the building had no damage. The place is clean, welcoming, and full of thoughtful details. Helene is always willing to answer questions about Morocco and help with any request. The airport pickup is very convenient as well. It’s in a safe location, with an easy walk to Marrakech’s main tourist spots. In chaotic Marrakech, this Riad feels like a peaceful oasis, and it’s definitely where I’d choose to stay for a nice holiday.

We’d gladly visit again and highly recommend the Riad. It was beautifully decorated and spotless, and Helene and Fatima were wonderful hostesses who went out of their way to make us feel at home.

If you want to leave with everything you arrived with, I’d avoid this riad. I’ve read reviews saying guests felt at home, and at first that was our experience too. An older woman served us tea politely, and the owner initially made us feel welcome. We trusted the place enough to leave our belongings, including my cash wallet, in the closet, thinking it was safer than carrying them around the market or on trips. When we came back late one evening, the room had been cleaned and our things had been moved into the closet or suitcase. My suitcase was closed, cosmetics had been put away, and my friend’s things and mine had been mixed together. I’ve stayed in many hostels and never had anyone touch my things like that. I checked my wallet and noticed €250 was gone, though I thought maybe I had miscounted and would check later. I was also missing a T-shirt, mascara, and concealer. The concealer was nearly finished, so I wondered if it had been thrown away, though that shouldn’t happen in a hotel either. My friend also noticed a missing T-shirt. Since our things had been mixed up, we thought they might be somewhere in the room and didn’t search right away. On our last day, while packing, we still couldn’t find them. A pair of panties was missing too, which may sound ridiculous, but this has never happened to me before. That last day I also realized our Apple AirPods, worth around €300, had disappeared. I searched desperately. When I left the riad, the phone showed they were still there, and after I left for the airport and even got home, it showed they were first used the next day. My friend hadn’t used them. When I told the French lady hosting us, she insisted on checking the camera. She found nothing and aggressively said we must have forgotten them somewhere. We hadn’t taken them on trips because we had no time to listen to music. Did I somehow lose the other missing things while travelling too? €250, two T-shirts, mascara, panties, concealer, and the AIRPODS. The riad also isn’t like the photos suggest: there’s no swimming pool, just a very small fountain. The €9-per-person breakfast is a total lie, just a glass of tea, three tiny portions of jam, and cake cut into small pieces. There are only two tables on the terrace for the whole riad, and they’re always occupied by Mrs. Şefa and her friends, who make noise even after 11 p.m. I thought being treated “like at home” meant basic respect for guests, as you’d show people visiting your own home. There was no personal space, no safe, and no bathroom doors. There was also no hot water until you let it run for 15 minutes. The owner never apologized and made us feel stupid. I’ll attach pictures as proof that my friend, while in Germany, can locate the AirPods and that they’re still at that riad.