As detailed in my Top Tips for Visiting Morocco, the experience of staying in a traditional riad far outweighs the comfort of the Westernised hotels ouside of the city’s walls. We stayed for four nights at Riad Edward – a truly wonderful place with unique hostel atmosphere mixed with Moroccan luxury.
The riad itself is built around a beautiful central pool with various rooms hidden amongst three winding floors and terraces. This variety of both size and cost of rooms throughout meant that there was always a real mix of people staying during our trip, giving a real communal feel to the place while still maintaining a relaxing atmosphere.
The rooms themselves are generally spacious and well maintained (albeit to Moroccan standards) and the riad is full of wonderful hidden areas, terraces and snugs – giving plenty of room for all the guests even when busy. For what seems like a small intimate venue it somehow encompasses a huge dining room, large rooftop terrace with incredible views and even two rooms that have their own adjoining lounge studio with giant sofas.
This accommodation’s real selling point though are the staff, who are on-hand to attend to your every need, without ever being obtrusive. The result is a real sense of comfort to your surroundings whilst maintaining a luxurious experience. It’s a place you can really make feel like home and still be waited on like royalty.
Riad Edward also boasts a spa and massage service, which is reasonably priced and well delivered. Massages can be had in your room for extra comfort and privacy, or in a small treatment room beside the main pool. Equally, the food is fantastic and some of the best we had in the city. Breakfast is delicious and the à la carte food available later in the day equally as good – all served from yet another tiny kitchen room in the heart of the riad.
If there’s one downside to the accommodation it’s the riad’s intimate location amongst the busy streets of the old town of Marrakech. While it makes it very centrally placed, it does feel a touch precarious leaving the riad straight into the madness. The staff will happily order you a taxi though and even walk you to it if you are worried. Similarly, transfers are available to and from the airport, which for only a few Euros are definitely worth using.
The old town is certainly the place to stay though if you have the temperament for it, and there can’t be many better places to stay than Riad Edward. It makes a fantastically relaxing and welcoming retreat after a day’s exploring the sights and sounds of the enchanting city of Marrakech – a real home from home that you won’t want to leave.