Dar Zidane

We arrived without warning as a group of seven, and another unannounced group turned up at the same time, causing a while of chaos and confusion. The host was patient and accommodating through it all. The rooms were quiet and clean, and breakfast was fresh-made, plentiful, and served in a large, elegant room. Being able to park the car inside the property was a definite plus. Perfect for a night on the way somewhere else.

The secure parking, large room, ample balcony, and good breakfast were all appealing, and the garden had some amusingly crazy peacocks that flew straight to the top of the nearby three-story building. The location suited me for a rest stop on the way to Chefchaouen, but others may find it less convenient, as it’s about 5 km from the city’s main attractions. This riad has enormous potential, but it felt neglected and needs repairs, fresh plaster, varnish, and even some dusting, especially on the beautiful ceilings in the main lounge. I understand the past two years may have discouraged people in the industry from investing, given things could be shut down indefinitely without warning, but I don’t think recovery is possible if everything is left to deteriorate. The full-size iron grill at the balcony door was closed when we arrived, and the locks were so stuck that I think it hadn’t been opened for some time. The balcony itself showed it: it was dusty, had a rusty hacksaw long forgotten on a wall, and pigeon dung on one side. It overlooks the green backyard and is spacious enough to be a lovely place to spend the evening, but there wasn’t a single chair, so you’d have to stand. A wasted opportunity. There was no shampoo or shower gel in the bathroom, a first for our whole trip in Morocco, even the desert tent. When I asked the host, she initially pointed out the two soap bars in the bathroom. We’d seen them, but regular soap isn’t ideal for washing your hair. Eventually she kindly, though somewhat reluctantly, provided some shampoo, most likely her own. I also didn’t feel the same warmth and hospitality I found elsewhere in the country. That’s subjective, but I stand by it. The young lady we met in the morning was the only one whose smile felt welcoming. With regret, this was by far the worst accommodation of the six I stayed in during our trip.

This is a perfect place for a quiet stay in Meknes. The owners are a very nice family who do what they can to please you. The riad is very clean and the breakfast very good. They provided us with an extra heater, which was great in the unusually cold weather at the time. It was also great to park the car inside the riad walls.

A great choice. We recommend it for the atmosphere and breakfast, and especially for the warmhearted staff. Thank you so much!