Riad La Maison Rouge Marrakech

Beware the Booking Conditions at this hotel.

I had to cancel a visit about a week before arrival due to a family bereavement. The hotel insisted I pay the full amount for 2 rooms for 3 nights.

Whilst this is in line with the booking conditions, if this unsympathetic attitude reflects the general approach of the Riad, I certainly wouldn't recommend staying here.

I don't like having to write a review like this as the Riad is lovely but I accidentally left a piece of jewellry in the room and it was never returned. I remembered about it very quickly but when I asked for it, it couldn't be found. If you can't trust the people looking after you it leaves a very sour taste in your mouth and makes you so aware of your possessions which never allows you to fully relax. If you decide to stay here please be very careful with your belongings.

We went in january and although it was warm during the day the nights are chilly so do take warmer clothes for the night time. Maison Rouge doesn't have central heating so can be chiily in your room at night - they do have little electric heaters but you will need to leave them on all day to make a difference at night. Do visit Marrakech as it is fantastic, make sure to visit the Atlas mountains also. They are a short drive away and there are plently of tour/drivers that will take you out there.

We developed Riad blindness on the internet when trying to book one from home as they all looked so similar and there are so many! However, this Riad is really great, we loved it. Freshly squeezed orange juice on tap, lovely staff, clean and pleasing rooms and a pool (if it had been warm enough!) and great roof top with a bar. Best for couples or friends in a group, not families really. The walk to the 'Big Square,' is fine and the distance may only perplex an American (joking!). It is about 15 mins but an interesting one with all the sights and smells. Highly recommend it!

We stayed in La Maison Rouge in late November 2006, for our first (but hopefully not last!) trip to Marrakech. The Riad is a comfortable 15 minute walk from the main square, set down a quiet street within the Medina. Our suite was beautifully decorated and very clean and comfortable. The staff were always welcoming and hospitable, and the breakfasts were great. It was too cool to swim on the roof terrace pool, however there are lovely views. The internal courtyard with its orange trees and lounge chairs is a haven after walking around the busy Medina. I wouldn't bother opting for the airport pick-up though - taxis are in abundance and cheaper. However as the Riad is tucked away it might be advisable to have the address written down for the taxi driver. All in all a great place to stay in Marrakech.

Nous avons séjourné 4 jours dans ce riad merveilleux.

Tout d'abord il est situé dans un endroit pas trop éloigné de la place djema el fna et dans un quartier typique et surtout pas trop touristique.

Le patio ombragé est très agréable. Il l'est d'autant plus, que la piscine est sur le toit. Et c'est le grand plus, car la piscine est au soleil.

Les chambres sont propres, décorées simplement avec goût. La propriétaire est française et charmante. Elle est de bon conseil pour un restaurant ou une excursion.

La cuisine est délicieuse et ils savent vous préparer des plats à la demande. il est même possible de suive des cours de cuisine avec les cuisinières dans une ambiance sympa.

Les petits déjeuner sont somptueux.

Nous avions réservé la suite Ferrari pour 4 jours. Nous n'avons pas été déçu. La chambre est spacieuse.

Le personnel de maison a toujours la délicate attention de fermer vos volets pour conserver la fraicheur en été. Je me suis même rendue compte qu'il avait pris le soin de repasser mes tuniques froissées par le voyage.

Bref un endroit superbe où nous retournerons sans hésiter.

We stayed at the Riad La Maison Rouge from 3rd December to 8th December 2006...

We entered through a well marked front door..into a quiet atmospheric hallway, then into the central courtyard..it was so beautiful, traditional, calming with only birdsong heard from the within the orange trees in the centre.

We were made to feel more like a friend, as we were sat down and given mint tea, whilst the charming french chap explained in very good English, about all the facilities, i.e. staff been with them for many years, all trustworthy, any valuables we could leave in the safe etc..we were then taken to our room the Rubie Room..which again was traditional in all its furnishings, clean and just as we wanted it to be..(as we normally stay in 4/5 star modern hotels around the world and then you could be anywhere..but here in this Riad we knew we were somewhere totally different) and it all added to the experience of being in Marrakech.

We were a little unsure at first about how all the rooms (10) seemed to have their windows open and the doors, but on talking to other guests, it is more like a family home and there is no worry...obviously you put away any valuables...or put them in the safe...In the morning when you get up, open the curtains and the shutters and the sun streams through and the only sound you can hear are the birds singing and chattering in the orange trees.

Bathroom is almost part of the bedroom but separated by closing swing doors, quite a large bathroom with walk in tiled shower that could accomodate 4 people!

Overall the room was more than large enough for 2 people and anyway we did not spend to much time in it...too much to do and see!

At the end of the day when we returned to shower and get ready to go out again..we would sit on the shared 1st floor veranda outside our room and have a drink - the riad sells drinks - and chat to other guests about our day...although the riad was fully booked we only saw a lovely couple from the next room to ours (Hello Lloyd and Suki!!) we tended to meet the guests at breakfast time where you all sat at shared tables, which was lovely and made it feel more like a family. Breakfast was pastries and a type of morrocan pancake, fresh juice, tea, coffee, bread and jams..more than sufficient.

We noticed that when we returned in the early evenings, that our room doors /windows were closed, and the heater had been put on by the maid....lovely touch we thought...as the temparature does drop in the evenings, Bed made daily, Bathroom cleaned and fresh towels daily. The way you have to think is you are staying in someones home not a 4/5 star immaculate hotel.

The riad does not accept credit cards, pay in local currency or Euros.

The first evening we arrived we booked a meal in the riad, have to tell them in the mornings if you would like to eat in, as the meal ingredients are bought fresh daily, we had a traditional beef tegine..it was lovely and the service from the very friendly night watchman Yosef was outstanding throughout all our stay, nothing was too much trouble ever for him. The Morroccan wine served was delicious and my husband is now on a mission to find some in the UK!

There are 2 small shops very near the riad, we bought a cake daily on our return in the early evening..delicious. We also found that we were staying in a local area...not touristy at all ...we said hello/bonjour to all the local people and by day 3, they were waving and smiling at us...these are quite poor people, but a smile costs us nothing.

There are quite a few stray cats about and the locals seem to throw them scraps...

The walk into the main square Djemaa el fna, the first few days was interesting, all through the alleyways and took us about 15/20 mins, then we were shown by Lloyd & Suki, the shorter 10 minute way, going past our 2 little shops, and this walk was very interesting, past shop after shop...so lots to see and look at..we never did take a taxi anywhere..as there was too much to see and we both lost weight!

If you get lost trying to find your riad, a child will show you the way back for 5DH (30p) or an older teenager 10DH (60p) although after the first few days we knew our own way back.

Yes there are lots of beggers and shop keepers - but be polite and say no thanks/non merci and smile, and they will always smile back...no hassle.

I am going to write further about our experiences at a Hamman, airport, trips out etc in my Inside pages if you would like to read more on this fasinating place.

Overall we found the Riad, Welcoming, Friendly, Clean and if we ever go back to Marrakech..we would definately stay there.

me alojé en la habitación de la terraza y temía que otros clientes pudieran alterar mi descanso; nada más lejos .

un auténtico placer.

What a fantastic riad!! 4 of us stayed for 4 nights in the Ferrari and Cardinal rooms, they were fantastic. This Riad we found after searching through lots of places to stay on maroc selection website. Its a french run riad with extreemely friendly staff. The rooms were spacious, clean and tastefully done in traditional morrocan style.

Only down side is its a bit of a trek to the main square, Jemaa l-Fna its an interesting 15/20 minutes and the roads I would describe as 'running the gauntlet'! i.e. there are no footpaths for part way then onto a supposedly pedestrian road, however in Marrakesh this obviously does not mean that bikes and motorbikes are also not pedestrians!!! keep your eyes peeled!!

Fab base to get a good feel for how morrocans live and also excellent to be within the medina district. Pool is small but cool and at least there is one!! it was really hot whilst we were there but the promise of a cool pool was definatly something to look forward to after a trip within the souks.

Alcohol is available, its a case of help yourself and pay at the end, and magically someone took a tab of what you have.

Breakfast is basic but ample for a day trip afterwards with a light lunch out. The riad was a fab choice it was comfortable with air con and good clean bathrooms. The smaller rooms were also lovely. Probibly not suitable for families there were no other children whilst we were there.

I don't think you can go wrong if you want a traditional, quiet, convenient place to stay.

A complete oasis situated 10 minutes from the main Square (of madness).

We were blown away when we first entered from an "understated" side street and the sense of peace carried us up to our four-postered haven.

There is a central courtyard, over which all of the(10?) bedrooms open and this is filled with Orange and Lemon trees, on the third floor is the pool (Yes, pool!) and Bar....(Yeah I KNOW!)

The staff organised all the trips we could need, recommended some amazing restaurants and just made us feel at home, as any good host should.

We ate in one night, which was stunning, I defy anyone to finish the ample portions.

You'll love it

Not to be confused with the more expensive Red House, this is a delightful riad in the south of the Medina area of Marrakesha (a less 'touristy' area of the city). Marrakesh is fascinating and exciting, but also noisy and chaotic, so La Maison Rouge provided the perfect relaxing retreat, always cool, comfortable, and quiet. There are 3 floors, with orange trees and a fountain in the coartyard, and (rare for a riad) a 9-metre long pool on the roof top terrace. A filling continental breakfast is served on the roof terrace, which also has a small bar (a delight in a city as 'dry' as Marrakesh!). The suite we stayed in was pretty cheap, but beautiful nevertheless, with a four poster bed, sitting area, and large bathroom (incl. a good shower). The mixture of French and Moroccan staff were always helpful and friendly. Maison Rouge is handily located for the Medina's southern attractions, such as the Baadhi and Bahia palaces and Saadian tombs, though perhaps the only negative factor is the walking distance from the (amazing) Place Jamaa el Fna and souks, a bit of a trek through the streets, though Petit Taxis are cheap and plentiful. All in all, highly recommended!