Staying at the Riad Souad was a fantastic experience, and we would highly recommend it to anybody who wants a proper Moroccan experience. Below is a breakdown...

Staying at the Riad Souad was a fantastic experience, and we would highly recommend it to anybody who wants a proper Moroccan experience. Below is a breakdown of our experience.Inside the RiadBeautifully decorated in a sort of ostentatious but traditional Moroccan fashion (i.e. lots of Maroccan lanterns, tables, glasses, etc.). The room that we were in was nice and big, with an en suite shower room (nice big shower too). Crucially, as it was over 40 degrees centigrade, there was individually controllable air conditioning in the room! There was a dipping pool (not huge, but big enough for about 6 people to chill out I guess) on the roof, with a lovely roof terrace to relax - day or night. We had dinner there on one evening, and the food and drink was good and reasonably priced.The hostsThe hosts, Natalie and Gerrard, are delightful and very welcoming indeed. Gerrard, upon our arrival, gave us a map with a number of recommendations noted on it - we visited many and were disappointed by none. Throughout the week, we also had a number of restaurants and attractions recommended to us, all of which were perfect! Similarly, they organised a trip to the Atlas mountains for us, including lunch in a traditional Berber village, which was spot on and is definitely recommended!!LocationThe Riad is located in the centre of the Medina (old town), about a 10-minute walk from the main square, the Jamaa el Fna. It's outside of the market area, which is good because you're hassled less than when you're right in the centre, but it makes it ever so slightly harder to navigate yourself. However, the hosts are brilliant and Gerrard showed us the right route on the first day, to make sure that we didn't get lost. At night, a number of streets get closed off, so we would always suggest going back to the main square and walking from there, even if it seems to take you out of your way a bit. The locals are generally nice and will give you directions, but they will charge you rather a lot of money for the privilege. Again, the hosts will explain when you're there.

My husband and I stayed at the Riad during our honeymoon in November 2010 (I know, late review). The place is just lovely and Nathalie was so incredibly...

My husband and I stayed at the Riad during our honeymoon in November 2010 (I know, late review). The place is just lovely and Nathalie was so incredibly helpful. Total bargain and just beautifully decorated. Highly recommend.

If you are staying here make sure you have GPS as it is hard to find initially! Google maps says it is one street over from where it actually is but luckily...

If you are staying here make sure you have GPS as it is hard to find initially! Google maps says it is one street over from where it actually is but luckily there are signs pointing to the right street once some people pointed it out to us. On arrival we were greeted with delicious Moroccan mint tea, and shown to our room which was very lovely. The whole place has beautiful architecture and our stay in the Jasmine room was perfect. Everything was provided, lots of plugs in the room (which is hard to find in Morocco at the other places we stayed at), it was very clean, and the hosts were friendly making us feel right at home. There is a terrace upstairs which I recommend watching the sunset, and breakfast each day was varied which was good as we stayed 3 days. Wifi is reliable but slow sometimes, and due to the courtyard structure noise can carry but as its a small tucked away place, the street noise is minimal and the other guests courteous. Although the staff were wonderful, we found better deals in the medina (the main square being only 10 mins walk away) for tours and purchases, so it is helpful to get advice but check out yourself too. I would highly recommend this riad to anyone staying in Marrakesh.

We spent, my wife, daughter and I, 10 days at Riad Souad in early August.It is well located: in the heart of Medina’s Ben Salah neighbourhood, a short...

We spent, my wife, daughter and I, 10 days at Riad Souad in early August.It is well located: in the heart of Medina’s Ben Salah neighbourhood, a short walk from Place Jemaa El Fna. On arrival we were warmly greeted by Hafida and her husband, Sherif. The owners were away on vacation. From the get-go we were treated like family. Tea was served and we relaxed a while before we were shown to our rooms. Our luggage had already been taken upstairs. After we unpacked and settled in, Hafida offered to show us how to get to Place Jemaa El Fna. Once there she pointed out where the ATMs were located (very useful if you intend to do some shopping in the souks) the different main streets, recommended some cafés, where to buy the best juices and sweets etc.. On the way back to the Riad she guided us on an alternate route pointing out where La Place des Épices was, the different souks’ alleys also a small open air market selling fruits and vegetables on the way. She gave us her card with her phone number and offered to assist us if we ever got lost, which we never needed to do, she did such a good job showing us around. The Riad also provides a map annotated with ‘good adresses’ and highlighted routes to and from Jemaa El Fna and other points of interest. I’d go to the market and buy fruits and watermelons during our stay which were kept for us in the Riad’s fridge. Nothing like slices of cool watermelon and peaches after a hot day of bargaining in the souks.Our whole stay at the Riad was like a dream. Hafida and Sherif were so helpful and friendly. Without them Marrakesh would have turned out a more daunting experience. I’ll give you an example. We’d taken a 3 day trek out to the Sahara and I realized only the day after our return that I’d forgotten my running shoes in the back of our guide’s minivan. Hafida took it upon herself to call the tour operator and arranged to have them delivered back to the Riad at no cost. Little things like that take away the ‘vacation headaches’ and glitches we all come across when travelling. The Riad itself is gorgeous and charming. The pictures do not do it justice. The moldings, columns, floor tiling and wall covering are all hand crafted. The minutiae of the details are stunning. The beds are comfortable and their bathrooms exotic. There’s a welcoming pool on the rooftop terrace for cooling off. The morning breakfast is generous and delicious. It was enough to keep me going all day.As for the neighbourhood adjacent the Riad, you will meet nothing but friendly faces and welcoming hellos.I strongly recommend Riad Souad and its staff for an experience you will never forget. I’ve travelled to many countries and this place ranks tops in my book.

Really nice riad placed in the medina. Nice rooms, good beds, clean.Unfortunately our host, Ecla, was very busy earning a bit on the side with us: we bought...

Really nice riad placed in the medina. Nice rooms, good beds, clean.Unfortunately our host, Ecla, was very busy earning a bit on the side with us: we bought some of her aunts arganoil at a very cheap price, she told us. We later found out this was everyday price in Denmark. She also suggested to show us the way to the nearest local hamam and get us a really good price. Later we found out the price she Got us was about four times the price we would have paid if we had not talen her offer :-).