If you are planning a trip to Morocco, then you definitely should stay in a riad. We stayed at two riads during our week-long trip to Marrakech and the Sahara Desert (you can check them out here: Riad Anabel and Riad Andalla Spa), and each of them provided an amazing experience! Read on to hear about our riad experiences, and all the reasons why you should consider staying in one when visiting Morocco.
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What is a riad?
A riad is a traditional two-story home in Morocco in which the rooms face into an open air center courtyard or garden. The courtyard typically features a fountain in the center, surrounded by tiled patio and lush greenery (if it doesn’t, it is usually called a Dar). Oftentimes, the top floor features a lounge area and rooftop garden. There are a few reasons why a riad is designed this way – first, riads reflect the Islamic value of ‘privacy’, and so the windows and rooms have been positioned to face ‘inwards’. Second, having a courtyard in the center of the building allows more cool air to enter and flow through the building (absolutely crucial for the hot Moroccan weather!).
Why should you stay in a riad?
Most riads are small and only have 5-7 rooms. This allows for more attention from the host, and an intimate and relaxing stay. When we checked-into Riad Anabel, we were immediately welcomed with a plate of Moroccan biscuits, coffee, tea, and fruit. The owner gave us time to relax and take in the atmosphere of the courtyard, before giving us a full tour of the riad.
Riads offer a relaxing oasis and retreat from the buzzing streets of the souks and Medina. I don’t know if it was the thick walls, or the way the buildings were designed, but I was amazed at how quiet the riads were. Trust me when I say, you’ll want the peaceful sanctuary a riad provides once you’ve experienced the busy and chaotic streets of Marrakech! How else are you going to recover from almost being run-over by a motorbike or donkey?!
No two riads are alike. And no two rooms are alike. There’s no such thing as a cookie cutter riad. Each riad has it’s own personality and even within a riad, every room has been individually decorated and designed. As a lover of all-things interior design, I was obsessed with the intricate tilework, bright colors, and mixing of patterns!
We stayed in the ‘Rose Room’ at Riad Anabel, which featured a pink color theme and L-shaped layout. Our bathroom and bed had been sprinkled with rose petals (super romantic!), and we had two lounge areas! We felt like royalty!
At Riad Andalla Spa, we stayed in the ‘Tahar Room’, which was on the top floor of the riad and decorated in the theme of wood and wicker.
I was obsessed with the courtyard of the riad with it’s white carving details and emerald green fountain. And don’t even get me started on the electric blue theme of the rooftop! Seriously, an interior design lover’s dream!
Most riads offer an authentic, home-cooked dinner for an additional charge. And the food is usually amazing. If your riad offers the opportunity for a home-cooked meal, take it! This is the best way to experience the local cuisine, with it’s rich flavors and intense spices. A traditional Moroccan dinner will usually consist of a variety of seasonal mezze salads, pastilla (a crispy pastry filled with chicken, beef, or pigeon), and a tagine (ours was chicken with lemon, herbs, and olives) served with fluffy cous cous. Wine is not typically offered unless you specifically request it, but even then, it depends on the riad owner and their religious practices.
Note: you will need to reserve dinner with your riad in advance. Our dinner with Riad Anabel was served in a private dining room just next to the courtyard garden. The food was SO good. Our chicken tagine was cooked perfectly that the meat fell off the bone, and seemed to melt in our mouth. The marinated carrot, date, and almond salad was particularly memorable.
A lavish breakfast is typically included in a riad stay. And again, the food will probably be amazing. Expect a traditional breakfast in a sun-drenched garden featuring fresh Moroccan flatbread and rolls, eggs cooked with tomatoes and spices, and a variety of dips, jams, and honey. The breakfast spread at Riad Anabel is one of the best breakfasts I’ve EVER had. The food just kept coming, and coming, and it was all delicious.
While at Riad Anabel, I tried argan oil for the first time. I wasn’t aware that argan oil was actually edible (I always thought it was only meant for cosmetic use), but apparently, argan oil is used as a culinary oil in Marrakech regularly! It has a unique nutty flavor, and is oh-so-delicious! We ended up buying a small bottle to take home.
Our breakfast at the Riad Andalla Spa was not too shabby either. And because we had to miss breakfast on the second day of our stay to catch an early flight home, they kindly packed us a bag filled with yogurt, croissants, and fresh fruit to eat on the go! Seriously amazing service and attention to detail.
There are a variety of riads to match your budget. While it may seem like staying in a riad is a more expensive lodging option, there are actually lots of budget options to choose from, although they may not offer the same level of service. The riads we stayed at (Riad Anabel, Riad Andalla Spa) were both moderately-priced, and we spent anywhere from 100-130 pounds/night and felt like we totally got our money’s worth. If you are looking to splurge, there are lots of very expensive and beautiful riads to choose from as well. Popular ones include Riad Adore, El Fenn, and Riad Al Badia.
Location, location, location. Most riads are located a short 10-minute walk from the Medina and other main attractions. This makes getting around extremely convenient and reduces the need for taxi service (which can be quite a stressful experience, and you risk getting scammed).
Several riads have an onsite spa, where you can experience a Moroccan hammam. Hammams are a traditional and integral part of Moroccan life. A typical experience consists of a steam room (where your body can ‘warm up’ and your pores open up), a cleansing (where cold and hot buckets of water are poured over your body), a coating (where your body is covered in thick soap made from olive oil), and a scrubbing (where a glove is used to scrape off the soap and dead skin cells). Oftentimes, luxury hammams will include a short massage and an after-session snack of fresh mint tea and Moroccan biscuits.
We tried a hammam with Riad Andalla Spa and had a wonderful (and certainly memorable) experience. I had booked a hammam already knowing what to expect (thanks to our friends Jessie and Carson, who shared their hilarious hammam story/experience with us prior to our visit), but still felt completely lost and intimidated by the experience. Let’s just say, it was an odd sensation getting a full body scrub-down from a total stranger. It probably didn’t help that I am insanely ticklish (I had to grit my teeth the entire time to prevent myself from laughing out loud). No regrets though, and if you happen to stay in a riad that offers a hammam, definitely take that opportunity!
Convinced yet? I hope so! Staying in a riad was truly one of the highlights of our Morocco trip.
If you’re planning a visit to Marrakech soon, you might also be interested in my RELATED POST: Instagram vs. Reality: The Truth about Marrakech + Tips.
Have questions or need help planning a trip? Leave me a comment below!
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