Terrace House 88

Fouzia looked after us so well, always smiling and making the best breakfasts. The place has a really authentic, pleasant feel, and the triple room worked well for our group of three friends. It’s close to everything, and the shake shop right by the door is a must. Just know it can stay noisy, so it may not suit light sleepers, though we still found it a great place to relax and enjoy the area.

The location was good, but there were several issues during our three nights. We booked a room advertised with a private bathroom, but it wasn't inside the room, and we caught other guests using it. The owner promised compensation, then stopped replying. The room also lacked things like a desk and hangers, and felt a bit expensive for what it was. Breakfast was just a piece of cake, bread, and jam, though that seems to be the same across Morocco. The Wi-Fi was unreliable too.

Mohammad and Zahira made our week at Terrace House 88 feel warm and welcoming. We arrived in peak summer with my little brothers, and Mohammad was already checking in while we were going through immigration. He later came to guide us to our city view room, which was in a separate building, just a right turn from the main address. Zahira was incredibly kind and made sure we could have breakfast before our early departure. The house felt like our own little haven, with plenty of popular food spots, restaurants, and grocery stores nearby, and I definitely recommend it for its character and hospitality. The direct access to the terrace was a highlight. Sunset and the evening breeze were lovely, though several cats live up there as pets, so anyone with allergies may want to limit time outside. Our room had air conditioning, a mirror, night lamp stand, wooden chair, two single beds put together as a double, and another single bed. There was a private bathroom and towels, though we brought our own and didn't need them. The room was cosy and well equipped, but the intense summer heat was a lot. The AC struggled at night, so sleep was mixed. Mohammad said most guests prefer the cooler months, which I understand. Finding the place at first was tricky. It’s a few minutes’ walk from Jame Al Fna square, down a lively alley, with the entrance between two busy shops and motorists speeding by. The narrow, dark stairs were awkward, so turn on the light before going up.

We left that same morning and found Riad Nabila nearby instead, where we had two great days in Marrakesh. It was more spacious and warmer, with high quality bed covers, extra duvets, two towels each, a lovely restored interior, a typical riad garden, and a stunning rooftop. At Riad dar Sam, by comparison, we felt uncomfortable and like we’d been scammed for the price, especially compared with other riads. Our room had hard beds, got really cold at night, and there was only one towel for two people. The bathroom had an ugly sewage or pipe smell. I’m sure they try to cover it with incense sticks so you don't notice it right away. Breakfast was poor, just one kind of bread with no selection like at other riads. While we ate, the only employee sat on a couch watching us intensely and playing phone music that wasn't very atmospheric. The stay stole valuable time from our trip.