Riad Karmela Marrakech

Riad Karmela is set in the heart of the Marrakech medina but is a haven of calm, quiet and tranquillity. Reburbished recently from a traditional courtyard-based property with just a few rooms (all en-suite), the hotel has an intimate feel which is augmented by the friendly and helpful staff. Everything is decorated in wonderful luxurious but toned-down Morrocan taste and rooms have air-conditioning. Rooms are set around the courtyard on two floors, with breakfast and dinner served in and around the courtyard. The courtyard contains sofas, cushions and tables, four orange trees, and a small hot pool with jacuzzi. We had dinner at the hotel two nights and it was superb - delicious and very tasty versions of Morrocan food with wonderful fresh ingredients. The hotel's other big drawcard is the roof terrace looking out over the Marrakech roof-tops towards the snow-topped Atlas Mountains. The roof terrace has a comfortable covered terrace area with sofas, cushions and tables - perfect for a sundown drink (and fabulous nibbles) - sun loungers, and a small pool. I've never wanted to write a hotel review before but this was special.

Raia Browning, Oxford, UK

Sublissime séjour au riad Karmela

Ce riad a été récemment rénové avec goùt et raffinement.

Philippe et son équipe vous accueillent avec chaleur,gentillesse et prévenance.

Organisation parfaite du transfert aéroport et des excursions (Essaouira,vallée de l'Ourika)

Merveilleux réveillon le 31 décembre (soirée blanche,

musiciens,danseuses)

Cuisine locale raffinée réalisée à la commande par une cuisinière marocaine et petits déjeuners parfaits.

Nous comptons bien revenir au printemps prochain.

We stayed at the Riad Karmela for four days over Christmas in an attempt to avoid turkey and plum pudding and to experience an entirely different culture. It fully met both these wishes.

Riad Karmela is deep inside the tiny streets and alleys of the medina, not easy to find, even for the taxi we took from the airport. We learned from that experience that it is far better to ask the Riad to book a taxi to meet you.

Excellent, considerate hosts and staff who were very obliging and helpful without being intrusive. Must do's for visitors: eat in one night; try a hammam, gommage and massage; take a trip to the Atlas mountains (arranged by your hosts); relax on the roof terrace. The rooms are spacious, clean and well appointed, and the riad as a whole beautiful, tranquil and romantic.

We had a wonderful trip to Marrakech and our stay at Riad Karmela made it all the more delightful. The staff went out of their way from the offset to make us feel welcome.

We opted to be picked up from the airport, which I am truly thankful of - Marrakech is confusing enough without having to make your way through the warren like streets bleary eyed! We arrived to find ourselves upgraded from a standard double to a suite on the second floor which had been kitted out in a traditional yet tasteful Moroccan style, bed was comfy and room was large and very clean.

I had a peak at the other rooms and they were all finished to the same high standard - the two ground floor doubles were smaller than the suite but opened into the central courtyard of the riad so you could open the double doors and lounge on one of the sofas.

Wireless internet throughout the building was a bonus and the breakfast of pancakes, bread, jams and fresh orange juice was delicious. We didn't really have time to eat dinner at the riad but judging from what other guests said it sounds well worth investigating.

Tranquil and relaxing, away from the madness of the Souks (Markets) if you desire the riad experience I don't think you could do much better on this budget (about £66 a night)

Excellent place to stay.

Just returned from 6 days in Marrakech staying here and loved the tranquility of this Riad situated in the Medina, 2 minutes to the Souks, 4 mins to the Marrakech Museum and 10 mins to the main Square "Place Jemaa el FNA".

This Riad has recently been taken over by Phillippe who tastefully re-decorated all 8 rooms and the lovely roof terrace. Also has a small jacuzzi. All rooms are uniquely different, check out the website to see, "[--]".

Should you wish one of the lovely artefacts, just ask Phillippe and he can source one for you at a better price than the souks. Personally we got a lovely date pot which we could not find in the Souks

Nadia runs front of house and is lovely, efficient and able to help with all your queries.

Ask for them to cook you a meal one night, a culinery delight and at 20 euros a real bargain.

Hint: When you book, call them and ask to get picked up from the Airport, this will:

a) save the hassle of negotiating the fare

(anything from 175 to 300 dirhams) and is the best value.

b) The driver will know where the Riad is, a big advantage as the normal Marrakech Taxi drivers knowledge of any Hotel or Riads location is minimal or non-existant.

Call Nadia 0n [--] to arrange.

Enjoy your relaxing stay as we did.

Al from Edinburgh

Le riad Karmela est une maison typique du Maroc ou passer des moments merveilleux et inoubliables, Décoré avec beaucoup de gout. J'y ai invité des amis pour feter mon anniversaire...... et tous ont été charmé par ce lieux magique...... Philippe et son équipe nous a accueilli très chaleureusement et en professionnel.............. l'organisation de ma soirée blanche m'a comblé, c'était génial jusque dans le moindre détail ( le service, la deco des tables, le diner, les musiciens, les danseuses ... )

Encore merci à Philippe et à son équipe, grace à vous, pour mes amis et moi ce week-end reste dans nos mémoire comme un moment extraordinaire.

Superbement restauré, le riad Karmela nous a fait vivre les mille et une nuits de Marrakech...

Chambres de grand confort, toutes différentes, la décoration est soignée, le service est prévenant et bienveillant, toujours attentif .

Et la cuisine...un vrai moment de plaisir gustatif...la cuisinière Marocaine nous a concocté de vrais spécialités locales.

Nous avons été séduit!

Nous le recommandons à nos amis, c'est une des meilleurs adresses de Marrakech.

D'ailleurs, nous y retournerons en janvier 2007, un cadeau pour l'anniversaire de mon épouse.

Lovely Riad decorated recently with taste. Warm and welcoming staff. Beautiful jacuzzi and roof terrace where to enjoy sunny breakfast. Great view. To recommend. AA

Après les mises en garde des agences quant au "problèmes riads". Nous avons été agréablement par la simplicité de la réservation, des informations transmises, de la prévenance pour simplifier le séjour avant et pendant (merci internet).

Dans ce riad rénové avec goût (en juillet) ce n'est qu'au moment de notre départ pour Marrakech que l'on a découvert qu'il était référencé (pour les anciens propriétaires) dans le "Routard". Cette recommandation est encore amplement méritée et la notion d'hôte est pleinement appliquée.

Une bonne adresse pour ceux qui n'aiment pas les hôtel de chaîne et espère un accueil personnalisée.

Séjour du 21 au 24/11/2006

A lovely riad. Unfortunately it was still being renovated whilst we were there and thus, no pool. However, it is a lovely riad with a spectacular roof terrace. Staff were most helpful and we enjoyed our stay there. A gorgeous courtyard and good rooms.