Riad Al Ibtikar

Very nice riad. Amazing breakfast and lovely people. Couldn't ask for more.

We had a great stay over 4 nights and the owner Steven was so wonderful, kind, helpful, serviceminded and also very interesting to have met. Steven is a designer and each room has decorative elements that he has designed. Every aspect of the Riad is thoughtful made by him with the most magical touches. The Riad is situated right in the center of Marrakech, but it is quiet and has a calm atmosphere. It has a nice rooftop you can enjoy and the staff working there did everything to please us. Thank you so much Steven, Jassin, Hamid and Fatima!

This Riad is remarkable! There are not enough superlatives to cover the pleasure of staying here. The experience of simply being in the central room, being contemplative , enjoying the atmosphere and talking with Steven, the owner under one of his exquisite creations……. On a practical level the staff are wonderful - ever attentive and helpful. The breakfasts are generous and varied. The location is ideal - central but quiet. The rooftop terrace provides a haven on warm afternoons.

- great location - beautifully furnished - kind and helpful staff

Due to owner's rudeness we had to leave earlier. He made us feel unwelcome and and we did not feel comfortable completing our stay there. Thankfully booking.com helped us to leave earlier without losing any money. The owner does not know how to treat guests and has no sense of hospitality. One morning he disturbed our breakfast. Like a mad man, he kept asking us "what do you want, tell me what should i do for you." We told him all was ok now (after the issues we reported in the room had now been fixed). Very rudely he said to us in a bullyish manner that we keep saying one thing to him and one thing to booking.com. I said to him there must be a misunderstanding but he was not interested in hearing what we had to say. It seemed like he did not want to listen or to resolve any potential misunderstanding. I stayed in many hotels around the world and never encountered such an experience. Usually hotel owners are very polite and hospitable but here we were left nearly in tears the way he was talking down to us and arrogantly. He would not let us speak even though I was trying to tell him we are happy now the heating and drain blockage has been fixed. He also tried to charge me extra for my mother. He sent an offer to me on booking.com which suggested he will give her one night free. We told him there should be no extra charge for her as it should be included in the price I paid. Naturally I rejected this offer but he kept saying arrogantly "what do you want. what do you want?" reminiscent of a mad person. This made me feel very scared and unsettled, I even forgot my bank card pin number as I was so shaken up by the experience. My mother complained about ho hand rail on stairs and he arrogantly told her his assistant helped us up the stairs. Well he may of helped one time but he didnt help every time she came up and down.

1. We were offered a 'free taxi' - Steven the owner / Riad manager did not tell us beforehand the Riad is a 15-20 minute walk from the taxi drop off. We had to walk for what seemed like approx 25 minutes with my elderly mother from where the taxi dropped us, to his Riad. It was unpleasant to say the least, because we walked in narrow streets with donkeys, scooter riders, aggressive people trying to stop us and very uneven paths. Overall this walk from the taxi drop off to the Riad was very stressful. Imagine this with an elderly person with you it was double the stress. 2. I was greeted by Steven (the Riad owner/manager) on my 2nd day during my breakfast and he told me off for requesting gluten free breakfast but accused me of still eating the bread items. I was really upset by this. Factually speaking i am gluten free usually but when I saw there was not much gluten free items (fruit, eggs and yoghurt only. note the first day was yoghurt with sugar which i didnt want and only the 2nd day they had plain yoghurt) I had no choice but to eat the bread items. When I explained this to him, his response was 'well you could have asked for anything you wanted'. Steven should have been aware that it was his duty to provide gluten free breakfast as had been promised. Secondly it was none of his concern if I am eating the bread or not. I have any right to eat what I like, especially when it is laid out in front of me. If he did not want me to eat the bread then why did his chef/maid/servant lay it out on my table? Was it only for my mum? If so then he should of made sure it had her name on it. He told me he saw me eating it through the camera. What a joke. 3. Heating was not working, shower drain was blocked. Whilst they tried to repair the next day and we confirmed it was all fine now, he said we lied about these issues and that they were working fine at the very start.

The hospitality is exceptional! I love everything about this riad, which was meticulously created by Steven (host), who I had a pleasure of having conversations with over breakfasts during my stay. It's very quiet although it's in the old town and less than 2 minutes away from the bustling souks. The staff, Hamid, Yassine and Fati, have gone the extra mile, were very helpful and made my stay comfortable. I would stay here again when I visit Marrakech in the future!

Nothing

Unique and very good location in the middle of the medina. Atmosphere and ambiance of the riad is amazing more than helped by the attention to detail of the staff. Any requests or issues resolved as soon as made known, never a moment without someone available to help with anything from a question, to booking transport or an excursion or maybe just making a coffee. The rooftop terrace is lovely, especially in the evening with a glass of wine from the riad’s fine selection available. Thank you Steven, Yassin, Hamid and Fatima for making our holiday amazing and hopefully see you again.

Can’t think of a single negative, amazing place.