Riad Zaouia 44

The romantic dinner on the terrace was a highlight. We were unsure about trying Moroccan food, but the salad, lamb and vegetable tagine, and cinnamon-glazed pear were incredible, one of the best meals we’ve had. Breakfast each morning was delicious too. Youssef and Hakim also checked in often, shared tips for avoiding scammers, and recommended local places. Their hospitality made us feel at home, and we left grateful enough to leave a tip. Before we arrived, Youssef sent clear directions and even an Arabic voice note for taxi drivers, which made finding the property much easier. The riad was peaceful, beautifully decorated, and full of Moroccan character. Our spacious room was spotless and had air conditioning, and we appreciated being able to swim in the pool. My wife and I spent four nights here and had an incredible time. It was one of our best stays, a memorable experience that felt different from a traditional hotel. If you’re thinking of booking, don’t hesitate, it’s truly special.

We were really looking forward to the Petit Patio room, but were told it wasn’t available when we arrived. The room they showed us instead was damp, overgrown, and had no working air conditioning. In Marrakesh’s scorching heat, it was impossible for us to stay there. They tried to persuade us to accept it, then offered the Gallery Suite as an “upgrade.” It wasn’t one. The weak air conditioning barely cooled the room, and after a long day we still had nowhere comfortable to rest. The manager, Frederick, wouldn’t answer our calls and only texted, which was frustrating. When we asked for a refund, he said the booking was nonrefundable because the Gallery Suite was an upgrade. We should have been told about the Petit Patio problem beforehand so we could cancel within the policy window. It felt like they just wanted to get paid and didn’t care about customer satisfaction. I won’t recommend this place.

The Gallery Suite was in poor condition too. The air conditioning barely worked, there was mold in the bathroom, and the leaking system got the second bed wet. I’ve attached pictures. The room they first showed us smelled damp and had overgrown plants, like it had been out of use for weeks. There was no air conditioning, which was ridiculous in 40°C heat. We had booked the Petit Patio months earlier, but were told on arrival that it wasn’t available. They tried to pass off the Gallery Suite as an “upgrade,” though it was still hot and uncomfortable. After traveling around Morocco, we just wanted somewhere to rest, not a room so different from what we’d booked. I contacted Frederick, the manager, several times. He ignored my calls and only texted that the Gallery Suite was an upgrade. When we asked for a refund, he refused under the nonrefundable policy and said we hadn’t been inconvenienced. The Petit Patio is still advertised as available on their website. They should have told us earlier it couldn’t be provided, so we could have canceled. It felt like they only wanted our money and didn’t care about our experience. DO NOT STAY HERE!

We liked wandering along Rue de Gza for coffee and Shawarmas much more than going to the Big Square, which felt too touristy and had a poor atmosphere. After exploring, it was lovely to come back for a dip in the plunge pool and relax on the roof terrace. The location was perfect, and the breakfasts were sensational. One dinner was easily among my top three meals of our two-week trip. We began our family tour of Morocco at Riad Zaouia 44 and couldn’t have been happier. Mohamed was delightful and always ready to help. Thanks to him and the team, we’ll see you again.