Marrakech Riads
Top Rated | Recently Reviewed Normal hotels abound in Marrakech. And honestly there are some great ones to choose from. But, according to the London Times, if you want to really experience Marrakech, the only choice is one of the boutique Marrakech hotels known as riads. In fact, when the Guardian rolled out their Top 20 Places to Stay for a Marrakech Escape in 2006, 18 of the top 20 were riads. We have called in the experts in Morocco tourism to explain why.A World Away from the Anonymity of Identikit Chain Hotels
Juliet Kinsman, editor-in-chief of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Boutique Travel Specialists, and resident Morocco guru responded with passion to the question of why would someone choose a riad instead of a hotel. "What's the point of travelling if you don't get the flavour of the place you're visiting? At Mr. and Mrs. Smith, we love Marrakech for its wealth of stylish riads that are imbued with unique Arab and African influenced Moroccan exoticism, and furnished with extraordinary Berber handicrafts. They are a world away from the anonymity of indentikit chain hotels."
When asked to elaborate, she continued, "What makes these Marrakchi accommodations so unique are the traditional methods and craftsmanship that have been applied to the décor and are visible in the furnishings. Tadelakt, a smooth polished lime plaster in pale pink or chocolate brown is usually the render. The intricate, colourful mosaics that adorn so many of the city's surfaces are brought to life in the riad with intricate geometric patterns of the zellij tilework. Other hallmarks include the mashrabiyya, the wooden or metal latticework seen in the balcony and window screens. This, when combined with rich fabrics, piles of cushions and the pervasive aroma of almond or orange blossoms, result in an extraordinary boutique-hotel culture of luxury lodgings unlike anywhere else in the world."
If You Are Coming to Morocco, Why Would You Stay in a Hotel?
Jeff Wilson, director of Experience-It! Morocco Tours, a custom travel agency located in Fes, commented that, "for many years, tourists have come to Morocco seeking a cultural experience. These travelers are looking for something unique, something authentic and something with charm. To be very honest, hotel chains rarely offer these types of accommodations. On the other hand, traditional riads give travelers and intimate atmosphere, while combining the charm of the ancient medina with the luxury of a restored guesthouse. These guesthouses are the rage for tourists looking for ‘more than a hotel.' These riads are changing the image of Fes and Marrakech by offering an authentic accommodation with excellent service at a reasonable price. Honestly, if you are coming to Morocco, why would you stay in a hotel?"
An Unparalleled Choice of Experience
Steve Diederich is the managing director of Best of Morocco, a tour operator with nearly 3 decades of experience doing Morocco tours, and has a wealth of experience to pull from. "Since Best of Morocco started, nearly thirty years ago, we have seen the development of Marrakech into a popular destination for those wanting a ‘quick culture fix' with similar flight times to cities in Italy and Greece. For this type of traveler Marrakech offers another world of alternatives. Whilst hotels provide a level of service familiar to most holiday makers, few hotels compare to the authentic Moroccan experience a riad can offer. In the last several years an increasingly discerning and discriminating new generation of customer has emerged who is selecting different genres of riads according to their requirements. This, combined with the proliferation of riads that have emerged in the last decade has given the visitor an unparalleled choice of experience according to the desired location, décor, service level and price. In the coming years, a new generation of international hotels is going to be unleashed on Marrakech which will provide a fantastic level of comfort and service, however they will never be able to deliver the rich holiday experience that a Marrakech visitor could get from a traditional riad."
If you are interested in planning your Marrakech/Morocco trip through a travel agency, we highly recommend the companies listed above. If you are looking to go on your own, please use our search function on the left hand side of the page to search riads by amenity and style as well as read reviews to find the exact kind of riad you are looking for.
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