Looking for Riad/Hotel Recommendations in Moroccan Cities
 

Hi Everyone,

Thought I’d start this new thread to focus on lodging. I was just reading someone else’s thread and it said to not give up until you find your perfect riad! 😉 That really spoke to me as I’ve been extensively researching for Oct and even with this amount of lead time, been having some difficulty (likely because we need two beds). We are two single women.

Looking for very central locations, properties with sophistication and modern amenities and spacious rooms. (I just learned from one property I was about to book that there are no locks on the bedroom or suite doors. Hoping this is atypical?)

Just a note that I’ve traveled very extensively for business and unfortunately (or rather fortunately😉) have been spoiled with “Superior First Class” and above accommodations.

Appreciate your suggestions for the following cities:

Marrakesh - Dar El Bacha area of the Medina sounds nice, we will have 4 nights here so need a spacious room for sure, hoping to get something for $300 - $325 (or less) per night.

Fes - best central location? Similar needs since 3 nights here.

Chefchouen - One Night.

Rabat - 3 nights.

As always, thanks for your help!

To be honest, the terms “riad” and “spacious rooms” don’t strike me as particularly consistent with one another. I’m sure you realize that a true riad is housed in a traditional Moroccan house or palace, with SMALL rooms arrayed around a central courtyard, often on several levels. There might be spacious common rooms on the ground floor, but the bedrooms would rarely be “spacious.” Or at least, that’s my understanding and my experience.

The riads in which I stayed had the amenities I sought and, of course, locks. But I don’t look for the kind of accommodation you describe, and since my time in a room when traveling is exceedingly limited, all I seek is a safe, comfortable, reasonably well-appointed room in a place with the other things I desire – breakfast, English-speaking staff, etc. (For Morocco, I also looked for roof decks, indoor pools, and other amenities … but not as deal-breakers.)

You might be better off looking for two separate (small) rooms in the same riad. Or staying outside medinas where more modern establishments are more likely to offer spacious accommodations and a wider array of amenities.

In Fez, I thoroughly enjoyed, and highly recommend, the Riad El Yacout. But not if spacious rooms are your priority! And, depending on what you hope to see and experience (yes, that is relevant to the question of centrality) not if being “centrally located” is a priority. Also in that city, the Riad Laaroussa gets great reviews, and my visit to its spa convinced me that it would be a worthy accommodation … but it’s even further from being “centrally located.” It’s actually on the “remote” side.

Once again, sueblue, I think you would be well advised to spend more time with the Moon Guide (which you said you finally ordered) and less time asking questions on Fodor’s forums … especially because I seem to be the only person who is offering answers with any regularity.

Again, best wishes!

My husband and I are currently in Marrakech. We are not staying at the Riad Dar el Bacha are ourselves but as it happened we just had lunch there at the RIAD DAR SAAD. To us the atmosphere there seemed very nice, cool and relaxing after the hustle and bustle of the city. Do visit the Musée Dar el Bacha but try to do so early in the morning as it tends to get busy soon.

Thanks for writing from the road, Elisabeth and hope you are having a great trip! Appreciate your comment.

Kja, as always, you are quite funny and astute as you have been my most frequent responder! Perhaps I should just email you directly. Lol

In terms of spacious rooms - to clarify - since we are two single women, I mean that we need room to move around so we don’t trip over one another. Many of the riad rooms look very narrow where one double bed is the only thing that fits in the space - w/o even a night-table. Not looking for a palatial room, just something the size of a regular hotel room.

Thanks again.

You can specify number of beds when you search on booking.com

Kja, just wondering what part of town you stayed at in Rabat and if you recommend it?

Thanks.

I stayed in the medina, which suited my purposes well. That said, I think I might have enjoyed staying in the Kasbah of the Oudayas even better.

We were just there 2 months ago. We stayed in these riads, all the rooms were a decent size, some were actually large. All below your pricepoint.

• Riad Zyo in Rabat
• Dar Echchaouen Maison d'hôtes & Riad in Chefchaouen
• Ryad Mabrouka in Fes
• Riad Nesma in Marrakech

For Marrakech, the Dar El Bacha area is honestly a great choice
 

For Marrakech, the Dar El Bacha area is honestly a great choice — central enough to explore easily but generally a bit calmer than some of the busier parts of the Medina.

For Fes, I’d personally stay close to Bab Bou Jeloud if you want convenience and easier navigation. The Medina there can get overwhelming fast.

And yes, the “no locks on doors” thing is definitely not standard everywhere 😅 You should still be able to find riads with proper privacy and modern comfort in your budget range.

Sounds like an amazing trip though. Morocco is unforgettable once you settle into the rhythm of it.

Thanks Kja, MFNYC and Liubava2481. So very helpful and I appreciate the suggestions and feedback!

Best riads must be in a good locations..
 

I would recommend you to stay near Jemaa Lafna square or Dar Bacha Avenue .. can find good offers as well on boookings

These are some of the riads I usually recommend all with very good feedback and great locations:Marrakech:
• Riad Les Trois Mages• Ksar AnikaRabat:
• Riad Zyo• Riad DiwanChefchaouen:
• Dar Jasmine
This one especially always receives amazing comments from travelers I’ve booked there.Fes: • Palais de Fès Suites & Spa• Riad Bab Sahara
I would suggest checking availability soon for October travel dates, especially for rooms with twin beds, as the best riads tend to fill up early.

Stayed at the 4 Seasons in Marrakech but a few years ago. Quite pleasant

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. My friend just canceled . . . pretty devastating. I almost feel Moroccan after all the research I've done . . .

Toying with going solo with a guide the whole trip or pushing it off until another friend can join.

Thanks again to all those who contributed.

I'm sorry your friend cancelled.
I take it you won't consider going alone? No guide is necessary ... really!

It's so easy to travel around Morocco as a single female...I hope you do not give up the trip!! Seize the day when you can!!!

I have not been in ages and am thinking about a solo visit myself for next year.....

Has anyone here stayed at LA MAMOUNIA? Seems like this would be one of those a once-in-a lifetime experiences.....but I've read mixed reports, albeit mostly from people who come for a drink or a meal...

Sue, I hope you still go! Morocco can be a bit of a lot as far shopping touts, but otherwise, people are generally kind and socially conservative.

If you do go, you might want to add Dar Seffarine to your possibilities for Fez. So atmospheric Well positioned off a lively square as well. The Iraqi architect who bought and restored it took immaculate care.. and hopefully, they still host an occasional dinner for their guests. One of the better nights I've ever had traveling.

Thank you, Kja, Ekscunchy and Counterclifton. I’m not really concerned about safety - I’m just really a people person and think it would be lonely to travel by myself for 17 days. Also, with language differences and in a foreign country, it’s always helpful to have another person around when inevitably things don’t go as planned.

Ekscrunchy, I wax off this board for about 10 years . . . Curious how things worked out in Vietnam with Tonkin? Lol