During our trip to Marrakech, my boyfriend and I stayed at the beautiful Riad Dar Bounouar for our five days in the city.
As our first trip to Marrakech, we were so thankful from beginning to end! After we had booked, I emailed the owner to organise a taxi from the airport, and I’m so glad I did – we were looked after from the moment we got off the plane to the entrance of the Riad. Travelling by private taxi into the Old City was a real joy (and felt good to be one-step removed from the crazy roads!) Once the car had taken us as far as we could go, our luggage was loaded into a cart which we followed down winding streets to the hotel entrance.
We were greeted by one of the two incredibly helpful hotel managers, Mournir and Othman. Our welcome included mint tea and biscuits (on the house), as well as a hand-drawn map we were given to help us navigate the local streets.
The Riad
In Morocco, a riad refers to a traditional house with central courtyard. In ours, we had two, both full of plants and wildlife, as well as a tiny pool that made for a refreshing dip in the afternoons.
We stayed in a double suite for the duration of our stay, which was large, airy, and kept cool by the A/C. Our bed was on a sweet little mezzanine, and the bathroom was marble-tiled and luxurious. It was also kept incredibly clean by the staff each day.
The Medina
We chose to at the Riad Dar Bounouar due to its great reviews, beautiful look, and central locations. Hidden in the heart of the medina, it made for a peaceful oasis to retire to whenever the city got to hectic. We found it easy to walk from the Riad to the main square (Jemaa el-Fnaa), as well as my favourite cafés and restaurants, and even Bahia Palace (although that one did take some planning).
The People
What really made our visit special – and the reason we would return here on any future visits to Marrakesh – was the hotel managers. Mournir welcomed us in such a professional, polite manner, giving advice on how to navigate the medina and working all hours to keep us happy. And Othman was so friendly, helpful, and made us feel like family in the hotel. Thank you both!
