Riad Karmela

El Riad es excepcional. Es precioso y cuidado, pero además es cómodo, y todo funciona a la perfección: el desayuno en el patio, el servicio diario de habitaciones, y sobre todo el personal, que es súper amable y atento …todo perfecto. A un paso de la plaza de las Especias. Disfrutamos del hammam y posterior masaje y también fantástico. Nos gestionaron muy eficientemente el transfer de salida al aeropuerto, 20€ por tres personas y los equipajes. Volveremos!

Read loads of reviews before booking this one. Centrally situated and yet calm riad. We got there at night and it was super helpful having someone from the riad walking us from the taxi (booked through the riad- €20 fixed one way. We came across a friendly local taxi and found cheaper for the way back at 120dhs but I'd stick booking with the hotel on the way in at least) to the place as it can feel pretty overwhelming/rogue walking alone especially if you are a female traveler. The riad even offered the same for the next day post our dinner booking although no one turned up even after coordinating on WhatsApp but we knew the path by then, and it was quick to get to the riad-so no biggie. Luckily, Said who was the manager on site, had told us to ensure we were dropped at Ben Salah and truthfully, we wouldn't recommend walking through the souk-path past 9pm. Wasn't the best feeling. AMAZING staff (special mention to Mohamed, Hakim, Amine, Hadid?) - As someone who owns and manages rentals myself, I could relate and the staff is really what makes the riad special. We also had an upgrade to a junior suite which was a bedroom + attached bathroom (we had booked a 'spacious double room') but I won't claim to know the difference. Still appreciated the gesture. Breakfast was really good-one of the BEST orange juices we've ever had. Overall, charming riad and lovely stay and intended to tip when we got back to pick our luggage until this one issue below... Weirdest thing ever across all work & personal trips. Wrote the details so it is helpful should the riad wish to check its CCTV or investigate further. Likely a one-off but still left me with a strange feeling to date. Hence the lower rating unfortunately.

Thursday-Sunday stay. On Sat eve, before bed, I noticed some stains on the yellow-washed bathroom walls and automatically thought moisture? (like we have here in Europe) or coffee stains (would be weird). Assumed maybe we didn't notice when we got there. We checked out at 11am, left our luggage and planned to return at 3.30pm. Also planned to tip the staff (note-not required but we had a nice stay). As we walked out, manager Fatima ran after us saying there's BLOOD in the room we just checked out from. We were perplexed until she showed us pictures of the bathroom walls to which I said yes I saw these yesterday but thought they were stains from the start that we didn't pay attention to. She goes No no we usually have pictures of the rooms whenever staff clean. We insisted we have no idea, and she goes Ok just making sure you haven't 'cut' yourselves... and let us leave for our spa (what a morbid thing to say. Sounds woo woo/gave me goosebumps). 4hrs later, we came back to get our stuff and then we pressed for questions. We were told even the owners (nice french couple who we saw on site) went to check the room, had to get the painter in. We kept asking what the stains were about (bear in mind, I thought moisture, Fatima said blood), she couldn't answer but clearly thought we did something. When I suggested, you should maybe check with the ladies who clean the room? She said they're trustworthy and been around for years. Fair! Although we did run into one of the helpers, Ibrahim running after them to check their bags before they leave for home. Not our business anyway. Conclusion-Karmela said they wanted to make sure, us as clients, hadn't hurt ourselves (hmm and what? Some voodoo practice?). 1) I left the riad feeling eerie, 2) never saw dated pictures of the bathroom before our checkin which Fatima said she had 3) did wonder briefly if this could be a SCAM- I genuinely don't think so!

Eager to escape the end of the harsh British winter and keen for some early spring sunshine, we opted to go to Marrakech for a week. We picked this Riad because of its location and aesthetic and it did not disappoint. Situated in the Azbezt area of the medina, it is a few minutes’ walk from all the hustle and bustle of the souks and is excellent for all your needs as a tourist in the city. It is close to most of the main attractions and no more than 10-15 minutes walk from excellent restaurants. We took advantage of the transfers arranged by the hotel which was an excellent idea, as they bring you as close to the hotel as is physically possible. Walking down the narrow street to the fairy lit tunnel entrance, you enter the hotel and find an absolute oasis of peace and quiet. The riad is beautifully decorated in a traditional style, with several small courtyards that guests can rest in and shelter from the sun and the city. The roof of the hotel has many chairs and loungers for people who wish to worship the sun. The rooms were brilliantly furnished, with great facilities. The bed was amazingly comfortable with wonderful pillows we wish we could have kept! The breakfast every day was an excellent buffet, with an enormous range of tasty treats and delights on offer, including a wide range of hot and cold drinks. The frittata and Moroccan bread were particularly wonderful, as were the omelettes and crepes that were made to order. We were thankful for the attention from Rajaa, Jamila, Fatima and all the ladies who prepared the wonderful food. The hotel offers a range of tours and excursions that they can arrange with a day’s notice. We opted for the Luxury Zagora two day trip, which was fantastic and was amazing value for money. The sunset camel ride was unforgettable. The Riad Karmela team were excellent from beginning to end and did everything to ensure we had the best time. They contacted us from the day we booked, with helpful tips about what to expect in Marrakech and how to navigate the arrivals process and the airport. It was clear they put heart into everything they do, from the warm welcome Omar gave us when he met us and took our bags to the hotel, not forgetting his excellence at breakfast and skills as a tea pouring teacher, to the lovely farewell from Hakim. They were all brilliant. We were grateful for the ever patient Said, at reception, who managed our endless pre-trip planning e-mails with kindness, care, and attention. Our check in with Mahdi was clear and well handled and the room service team, including Majid and Mohamed were excellent. Nothing was too much trouble, they were all kind, helpful, and so welcoming. It felt like a home away from home, like being with family! To be honest, we cannot wait to go back and are looking at whether we can squeeze in a return in October!

Very welcoming and friendly staff could not do enough for us, good location in the centre of town, beautiful accommodation with great facilities, we loved the Harman spa experience this is a wonderful Riad that I would highly recommend.

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Fijne locatie in de drukke medina en een mooi pand met een fijne en ruime kamer en toch stil in de drukte van de medina. Erg vriendelijk personeel en goed ontbijt met lekker fruit en alles goed schoon.

We kunnen geen echte tegenvallers bedenken. Het bed was voor ons persoonlijk wat hard. Oproep tot gebed was redelijk vroeg (5.30 uur). We hadden de ramen open staan door het lekkere weer. Maar als je de airco aan hebt en de ramen dicht, dan heb je daar geen last van.

Staff were friendly. Sprawling and interesting layout. Breakfast was excellent.

Could be a little bit cleaner.

The property was so magical especially of an evening. After a day walking the souks it was lovely to come back to such a calming oasis.

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Vriendelijkheid en behulpzaamheid van personeel

Badkamer was gedateerd,water insijpeling in de kamer bij regen