Riad Dar Mimouna Marrakech

As other reviewers have said the riad is beautifully decorated, staff are very helpful and the location was great for sightseeing as everywhere in the city you'd want to see was 10-20 minutes walk away. The breakfast on the roof terrace and the hammam steam room were also nice bonuses. However, before you book it is worth considering whether any of the following things would bother you;

As this is a traditional, old property the rooms are quite small.

The air conditioning could have been a little better and the room was consequently a bit warm at night.

The call to prayers at 4 in the morning is quite loud and will probably disturb your sleep.

There was only a curtain separating the bathroom from the rest of the room so you could hear all of your travelling companions' little noises while they were in there.......

There was no TV in the room.

The riad is down a dark alleyway, although I have to say that it seemed perfectly safe to us as it was always busy and we never had any hassle.

If you think that these things might be a problem for you then it is probably best to book a room at one of the many chain hotels that are springing up in the Gueliz area of Marrakech. For us these things weren't too much of an issue and I have to say that by staying in riads such as these you get a far better feel for Marrakech. I'd definitely consider staying there again if I went back.

Behind the sturdy, studded door a wonderful riad - beautiful courtyard with fountain, fine plasterwork and tiling. Rooms small but exquisite - stunning colours and well-appointed. Breakfast on the roof terrace a joy. Staff very helpful and relaxed.

But ... a bit of an ordeal to get to and from; the riad is at the end of a narrow alleyway which is itself at the end of a narrow, intimidating street ... or rather, a street lined by groups of intimidating young men.

It's a bit of a trek to any of the places of interest and the neighbourhood is challenging in many respects. I'd really like to know where the guidebooks get the idea from that Marrakesh is no longer a hassle - I'm afraid the opposite is true.

However, if you're male and don't mind those aspects of Marrakesh, this is a splendid place to stay and excellent value for money

Stayed there one week in June:

Positives: charming interior architecture, clean and well-maintained, quiet with the exception of problem noted below, accepts credit cards which some riads do not

Drawbacks: largely absent French owner/manager; nearby mosque prayers were broadcast by loudspeaker at 3:30 AM on two of the seven nights of my stay; during first couple of days neigborhood children congregated at the riad entrance to beg for coins, candy although not in a threatening way

nice place to stay for the price but I, like another traveller reviewed here, had an unpleasant experience on my last day. I had padlocked my bag and left it in the courtyard until lunchtime but when I arrived at my next hotel i found that the padlock was not there anymore - I believe someone must have cut it open. I have not noticed anything missing but a quite strange experience. Also dont expect any help whatsoever from the French owners - I believe they must think owning a Riad means not having to ever talk or deal with guests. Massage extremely expensive as well.

This is the place to stay if you want a taste of Riad life in Marrakech.

It's noisy, you will fall asleep to the sound of the kids playing in the street and awake to the morning call to prayer.

The rooms are small, but the courtyard and roof terrace are fantastic, so who cares.

You can get a beer or wine from the hotel bar which is just the thing after a hard days haggling and the dinner we had on the roof terrace was great. Once you find the way, the walk into the souk is a pleasant 10 mins (through the gardens around the main mosque).

Service was very good in what seems to be the true Moroccan way (a dash of good humour required!) and we had no problem finding someone to speak English.

Overall a fun place to stay!

We ate in the main square at number 83 and all I can say is these guys are professional hustlers!! They used every trick in the book, bringing two dishes when you ordered one, charging full whack for the oil / sauce / olives.

The market atmosphere is great and the food OK but be prepared for the hustle and make sure you know what the price of any dish not on the sign out front is (in our experience about 3 x the other dishes!!).

We have just returned from a 4 day stay at the Riad Dar Mimounia and had a wonderful time. The rooms are on the small side but they are clean and the bed was very comfortable. Breakfast on the roof was an excellent start to the day - we were lucky with the weather - relaxing in the roof-top tent was very welcome after a day of sight-seeing. The staff were extremely helpful, especially in arranging taxis, and their restaurant food was excellent. The location is good and although it is located down an alleyway, we never felt threatened. In fact, we were pleasantly suprised how 'hassle free' Marrakech is - we were never bothered when walking around. The people were really friendly and always keen to help when being asked for directions (and that happened a lot - we were constantly getting lost!). The taxi rides and crossing the road are an experience - especially if you want to open the window in the taxi! We would definitely go again.

Fatia and the staff at the Riad dar Mimouna were really great, although you'll find translation a problem as their french is far better than their english.

The Riad is comfortable, no frills, but a real calm oasis in the hustle and bustle of DUSTY Marrakech.

Breakfast is wonderful as it's taken on the roof terrace (weather permitting)But don't expect a sea view (Aeriel/roof view only).

Excellent base for those who wish to just rest their heads, and although located along an alleyway VERY safe even at night.

Arrived late and with the help of the latch key kids outside we found this very nice Riad.

The staff are very good and helpful. For example they will arrange taxis to take you to Atlas Mts with a fixed fee for the driver.

Rooms are on the small side but cannot fault it otherwise.

Although up a side street the kids who hang about outside are fine and do not cause any problems.

Very good value for money and has advantage of roof terrace when weather is good. Friendly atmosphere.

Staff do not speak any English.

The Riad dar Mimouna (not to be confused with the Hotel Mimouna) is an incredibly restored and well-managed authentic Moroccan merchant's home at the edge of the Medina with a great experience-to-price ratio. For under US $150 you get a friendly staff, gorgeous and traditionally furnished house and room with cooling and private bath, knockout interior courtyard with bar serving great food and Moroccan wine (open till midnight), a quiet rooftop patio with a traditional Hammam steam bath for your pleasure, and secure guarded parking on a quiet street with 24 hour police presence (extra $3 per night paid to the parking attendant). Best of all, Riad dar Mimouna, while located in the Medina, is only a 60 second walk from your parking space or cab drop off point, so as you come and go you suffer a minimum of bag-schlepping. Hokim and his family treat you with 100% courtesy and will gladly arrange a massage or guided tour at prices less than you might find elsewhere (prepare your wallet before you go to Marrakech, it is quickly becoming Morocco's Santa Fe or Beverly Hills). The service staff at Riad dar Mimouna knows exactly how to treat you, with respect for your privacy but attention to every detail, a true pleasure in today's overrated and underserviced hotel world. What a relaxing place to enjoy some peace at the end of a hectic day and night in Marrakech!

The website is Riadmimouna. Some English is spoken, but French is best. Now if we could only take another month off we would return in a heartbeat....