Visiting Marrakech – What you should know before you go - Part 11

Choosing somewhere to stay

Marrakech has a profusion of stylish accommodation, many of which are either riads or Maisons d’hôtes, a term that roughly translates to mean “boutique hotels”. Some of these places are so stunning, you may find it hard to drag yourself into the throng of the medina. However, for those who want the comfort of standard international hotels, you will find there are plenty of those too.

A riad is a house in the medina with a court yard. Uniquely Moroccan, they can range from a cosy four rooms to close to 20, from humble to ultra-stylish. Nearly all are privately owned guesthouses and the levels of service and luxury tend to reflect the personalities, and financial resources, of their owners. It is possible to rent a whole riad at a reduced rate and many riads offer transport to and from the airport. Riads are not great places to take children, being basically small former family homes with a central courtyard. Unless your children are remarkably quiet, you are liable to disturb the other guests. The only advice I can give here is use the internet to find a place you like and can afford.

All the riads are in the medina. The closer you are to Jemaa El Fna, the central point of Marrakech, the better. The big international hotels are in Hivernage which is between the medina and the airport, but this is a taxi ride away from all the action. If you are trying to get away from it all then consider going to the luxury hideaway in the Palmeraie palm grove which is to the north of the medina.

By law, prices for accommodation must be shown in the reception area as well as in rooms. Just be aware that these prices rarely include tax and they do not include breakfast. Riads and maisons d’hôtes are exempted from this rule.

Negotiating a lower price for a hotel room is common. Off peak, it is possible to obtain reductions of up to 30 per cent. However, don’t bother during high season or with most riads.

High season is Christmas and New Year and the weeks around Easter. At such times the cost of rooms can go up by as much as 25 per cent but you really need to have something booked months in advance. September and October are generally also busy as the worst of the summer heat is over. January and February are low seasons.

All riads and maisons d’hôtes offer breakfast. Hardly any have restaurants but all have kitchens, where lunch and dinner can be prepared to order and usually eaten in the courtyard or on the roof terraces. The food from riad kitchens is as good, if not superior, to most of the local restaurants.

This is the final part of this series.