Riad Alaka

We had a great time with Majhoub and his team. They made arrangements to collect us from the airport and we were welcomed with fabulous dinner. The Riad was superb. It's located in the Medina, which is full of hustle and bustle, but we were in a quiet spot within an easy walk to everything. Majhoub helped us put together an itinerary for the week, which was super helpful. We visited the Atlast Mountains, a lunch with a Berber family, enjoyed a hot air balloon flight and visited a camp in the Agabay Desert. Majhoub was very clear to relay that I was a veggie to the organisers of any tours with food. Our driver, Abdou, was excellent. He was extremely knowledgeable, professional and had a very warm and friendly personality. He was with us most days and told us a lot about the country, different areas, and history during our travels. We felt extremely safe. The staff were fantastic and we felt like we were part of the family rather than guests. Our thanks go to Majhoub, Abdou, Mimon, Aziza, Merica and Soraya and anyone we have missed - sorry (I think I have their names correctly!) for making a stay extremely special.

Nothing.

Wow...what a little gem just inside the Medina and a truly magical experience. Our good experience started prior to the trip. We contacted the Riad through the booking.com app to arrange airport transfer and a meal our first night. We received prompt and friendly responses from hotel staff. Then when we arrived at the airport (which is a gorgeous airport by the way) we were met by Abdu in a lovely posh car. Abdu was friendly and attentive and chatted about Marrakech, things to do, places to see. (he's a great driver too). We got into the Medina and we were then met by Madju and someone to take our bags to the Riad. The Riad is probably about 100 metres inside the gates of the old city and located on a narrow alleyway just off of a very busy 'road' through the Medina. There are motorcycles, donkey carts, stalls selling everything, and crowds of locals going about their business - a complete cacophony of sounds, smells, sights - stunning but a little overwhelming at first. I was so glad that Madju was there to guide us to the Riad that 1st time. Once you started walking down the alleyway the world stopped...it was so peaceful and quiet. Once you set foot into the Riad you are transported to another world. It is gorgeous and we were welcomed with a lovely cup of mint tea and some lovely biscuits. A lovely Moroccan welcome. Madju also helped us plan our itinerary and we booked several day trips with his company....and they are all superb. Really trust him. Madju and Abdu took us places on differernt days and we saw, learned and experienced so much with these private trips. They were great. The food at the Riad was great too. We never got the eggs or omelettes...just ate all the yummy Moroccan pastries, yoghurt, fruit. The hotel staff were lovely and friendly. We did the hamam the last day...sublime. When we go back we are going to do the hamam our 1st day and our last day. The entire stay helped us get a real taste for life in Marrakech..

That we had to come home. I wish we had done the hamam our first night at the Riad. It would have been good to have the dirt and stress of the travel washed away that first night. I'd still want to do it again on the last night to prepare for going home. The hamam is a great experience.

Riad Alaka gave us an exceptional experience for a long weekend stay of Thursday through to Monday and became a welcoming home from home as we celebrated a family birthday in Marrakech. We booked two double rooms and the suite for our party of six and from the moment of our first arrival we were treated like returning friends rather than simply guests. The contrast between this haven of original refined elegance and the chaotic ambience of the Old Town is extraordinary but yet is fundamentally important to experience and understand to really appreciate the amazing culture of Morocco. We enjoyed hospitality with true generosity. From the lavish breakfasts to the two evening meals we choose to have in the Alaka, the service and preparation were excellent and the sense of belonging and welcome an absolute pleasure.

There was nothing to dislike. The entire staff were welcoming, helpful and made us feel at home. The success of the Riad Alaka is built on this wonderful asset and it was demonstrated every day, from the answering of our questions to a simple passing smile.

Riad was lovely - very authentic and absolutely beautiful. In the medina a short walk from the main square and steps from some great local restaurants. Rooms were clean and big and bed was comfortable. Staff were really friendly.

After a long journey from London we had to resist a hard push on buying a private tour - despite us saying that we had already booked one (at a fraction of the price). We ended up paying for a cooking class and meal which although were good was good home cooking quality rather than the wonderful meals we had out at 5* restaurants at half the price.

The location, the staff and the room was fantastic! We were warmly greeted with tea and cookies and given information about our stay. We also highly recommend the hammam & they offer, quite a nice experience. I particularly enjoyed the hammam, the lady performing it was really sweet and respectful.

I am a picky eater and I think the breakfast could be improved. Fresh pancakes were nice but the pastry (e.g. the croissants) were not fresh in my humble opinion. A few areas in the room need more attention in terms of cleaning. Two examples are the airconditioning and bathroom ventilator was full of dust. These are minor things though, overall we really enjoyed.

We had the special Friday night couscous meal up on the gorgeous rooftop deck. Of the three riads we've stayed at this had the most beautiful deck of them all. There were plenty of seating areas that were very comfortable both with shade or sun. Our room was very comfortable, as was the bedding. The bathroom was equipped with shower gel, shampoo, body lotion, ear tips, make-up remover pads. There was a box of kleenex on a table in our room, along with a kettle and the makings for coffee or tea. Breakfast was included with our room and was very generous including a large glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice, pastries, eggs (fried or 3-minute), figs, sliced fresh fruit and a choice of tea or coffee. Each day brought different pastries and fruit. The staff was outstanding; Mohammed and Mimoun, the concierges on duty were extremely helpful. Mohammed arranged a tour to the Ourika Valley for us and we had lunch in a Berber family's home with a gorgeous view of the High Atlas mountains. Our driver (Moghjub) (sp?) was excellent and careful; he customized the tour to our likings. It was a highlight of our trip. The riad itself is just a short walk from the Bab Doukkala gate where it's easy to pick up a petit taxi or a tok-tok for a ride around town. The walk to Jemma Al Fna is about 20 minutes.

Our TV did not work, but honestly, we were on vacation and didn't even ask the concierge about it. We didn't need it. The riad is light and airy and extremely pleasant to spend time at. See the photo of the Ramadan moon through the roof of our riad.

What a place to stay! Superb location for the old town and Medina - tucked away in a quiet passageway away from the hustle and bustle. Authentic Moroccan Riad that is as beautiful as the pictures. Wonderful, calm and homely atmosphere created by a wonderful tight-knit team who work as though they were a family. Nothing is too much or too little to ask. Smiles and warmth is genuine and heart-felt. I have travelled the world and have met all kinds of staff. You cannot fake the authentic service provided by the Riad team. Wonderful rooftop sun lounge where breakfast and evening meals were served - being entertained by 3 delightful resident kittens and their proud mum. Treating yourself to a roof-top Hammam by 'Madam Harram' is a must.

The lighting in the bedroom was a little dark. That's all. Everything else was perfect.

The hotel is right at the beginning of the medina but down a street so the hotel itself is perfectly quiet. just outside you have the more authentic stalls and food stalls which charge fairer prices. the square is about a 10 minute walk through the medina. great location. the layout and feel of the riad is wonderful- so peaceful and very beautifully designed. the rooms are very comfortable and have really nice bath products. there is the smell of orange blossom throughout! there is a small planet pool good for cooling off- not really for swimming. the cleaning and care of the rooms is done with love. the staff are friendly attentive and accommodating and let you feel that you can use the place as home. I would definitely recommend this riad.

the only thing was that our bed- although comfortable was such that you could feel every movement of the other person. that said I would still go back here in an instant!

Very beautiful Riad with a lovely inner patio and rooftop. The decoration was so nice. Room was cosy and very clean. We were received with a mint tea and some traditional pastries. Location was good, around 10 minutes walking from Koutoubia mosque. The staff was very kind! We also did hammam and massage at the Riad and they were a great experience. Breakfast and dinner very nice as well!

All was good, maybe the fact that doors couldn’t be locked with a key, but felt safe anyway and there was a safe box for valuables in the roof.

the Riad was exceptional on every level: beautiful and peaceful, quiet, charming, great location, easy access. the staff was the best ever:friendly, prompt, attentive to every need. My fam and I loved everything about it. Mint tea was great, dinner delicious, breakfast bountiful and super tasty with something for everybody, picky eaters included!

we loved everything