My partner and I recently stayed at the Art Palace & Ryad Hotel, ideally located within Marrakech’s vibrant main square (the Medina), and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience from start to finish.||From the moment we were picked up at the airport to the day we checked out, the service was consistently exceptional. The staff were warm, attentive, and genuinely eager to make our stay as comfortable and memorable as possible. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble, and their hospitality was a standout aspect of our visit.||We stayed in a Junior Suite, beautifully designed and featuring a four-poster bed with conveniently located plug sockets on either side – perfect for charging our phones overnight. The room also included his and hers bathrooms, each with a rainfall walk-in shower that was both luxurious and refreshing. While the hotel is alcohol-free – as is the surrounding square – this turned out to be a surprising bonus. We actually found it to be a detoxing and restorative experience.||The rooftop terrace is a peaceful retreat, complete with a lovely swimming pool and sun loungers that are thoroughly cleaned each evening. The rooftop is surrounded by carefully tended plants, giving it a relaxed and tranquil ambiance. Afternoon service was available, and once again, the staff delivered exceptional hospitality. (Special thanks to the kind staff member who assisted us each day, Zakarya.)||Breakfast was included in our stay, and we were consistently impressed by the impeccable service provided by Mustapha and Rabie. The breakfast itself changed daily and offered a variety of fresh, local dishes. While different from what many Europeans might expect, everything was delicious and beautifully presented. The view from the rooftop restaurant, perfectly named “the View”, overlooking the Medina and capturing sunsets over the bustling square, was genuinely breathtaking – like a scene from a film.||Regarding dining, we chose to enjoy all our meals at the hotel. We noticed that many restaurants in the area offered similar menus, but we preferred the peace of mind that came with dining in-house for hygiene reasons. We’re glad we made that decision, as neither of us experienced any stomach issues. The prices were comparable to those found in the Medina, making it a practical and enjoyable choice.||Due to the summer heat, we spent most of our days at the hotel, relaxing and enjoying the calm. We found it best to explore the Medina in the evenings, when the temperature dropped and the area came alive with energy, color, and entertainment.||One thing that really stood out was how proud the staff were to work at this hotel – it showed in every interaction. The communal areas are stunning, with authentic Moroccan design, intricately carved wood, colorful stained glass, and impressive architecture that makes every space feel like a work of art.||If you’re looking for a hotel that offers both a relaxing retreat and close proximity to the city’s buzzing nightlife, this is an excellent choice. The rooftop pool was always spotless, and the whole property was immaculately clean.||A small tip: bring suitable poolside footwear like flip-flops – the rooftop tiles can get extremely hot during the day!||Only one minor critique: while housekeeping kept everything clean, they were occasionally inconsistent with restocking items like tea bags or toilet paper. For example, a half-used toilet roll was removed but not replaced – thankfully we had a second bathroom, so it wasn’t an issue. Still, it felt out of step with the otherwise flawless standard of service.||⸻||In summary, our stay at the Art Palace & Ryad Hotel was magical. The serene atmosphere, attentive staff, beautiful interiors, and unbeatable location made for a truly memorable escape. We left feeling refreshed, relaxed, and already...
Read moreWe researched a lot about whether to stay in the Medina or outside of the city walls and with a short trip booked we decided in the Medina best. I am so glad we stayed here. ||This Ryad hotel has such charm having the original old ryad at the back of the hotel and a slightly newer addition at the front hosting a beautiful reception area and shop, a restaurant on the first floor terrace with a view over the Jemma el Fnaa and an additional roof top terrace with a pool - also with views over the square. The front of the hotel is perfectly complimentary to its historical old charm. The hotel is beautifully decorated throughout. Please do not think being this close to the square will be noisy, this hotel is so peaceful and calm, yet is just steps away from the wonderful chaos of the Jemma El Fnaa life. It is a true oasis from the noise and hustle bustle of this unique UNESCO world heritage protected market square. ||It is extremely safe with a door man on site 24 hours a day. ||On arrival we were given the full Morrocon welcome by amazing hosts with the receptionist, the doorman and one of the waiters. There is a faint smell of orange blossom throughout the reception which was so relaxing after entering from the intense June heat. We were served mint tea and Morrocon pastries (in fact this hotel had the best mint tea of all the places we visited in Marrakesh and we had a lot of mint tea!!) ||Breakfast was included for us and in over 40 years of travelling I can tell you I’ve never had a buffet breakfast like it. All three walls of its huge restaurant were full of options from traditional Berber and Morrocon dishes to European food regulars. Such a wide range of choice - so fresh and all home made and delicious. ||Our room was very spacious with a huge shower, and being in the old part of the building I felt like I was in a spa with its original mosaic tiling and orange blossom smell. The rooms are air conditioned. ||All the staff were so helpful and accommodating throughout. They even booked our taxi back to the airport.||This hotel was so comfortable and really was a highlight of our wonderful stay in a beautiful city. Thank you to all the staff that made our...
Read morelet me start with saying you MUST take the hotel up on their offer of ,Mohamed, the private transfer driver. He has permission to drive through the market and take you to the door of the hotel.
And what an entrance! the hotel looks like 2 gold doors when you arrive. You could mistaken it for a fancy souk entrance, LOL. Slightly confusing but what a fun shock! Hidden behind these doors is an oasis of calm, beauty and class! A true Ryad, with loads of light, a central garden/court yard and fantastic facilities. The level of detail that has gone into this hotel is astonishing. With no corners cut and every inch of space detailed with wonderful architectural details and surprises.
The rooms are well proportioned. The entire hotel, rooms etc. is spotlessly clean and i mean spotless! The service from the staff is on whole new level. You can ask the reception, waiters even cleaners for advice and they will make sure that the right person is informed and whatever you want to do is arranged for you. We chose to book our balloon flight, desert buggy trip, camel rides and driver through the hotel. They took care of everything and i mean everything. All we had to do was be at reception at the time WE wanted to do our excursions. Everything is bespoke/tailored to suit you.
The breakfast was a knock out, varied and different every day. The chef is excellent and there to greet you in the morning and make sure that everyone is happy. Again, i wanted my coffee in a certain way and they insisted on making it for me. Truly bespoke 1st class service. We also had a few lunches at the hotel and the food was superb. Beautifully cooked and prepared, fresh dishes with all the additions you would expect from a 5* restaurant!
The staff are so friendly and helpful and exceptionally well trained, yet not intrusive or in your face. Knowing the boundaries is very important to guests and the Art Place team where 110% on point.
An exceptional and...
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