Riad Jardin Secret — Hotel in Marrakesh Prefecture

My husband and I came here on our honeymoon, and were looking forward to it as a special treat of a beautiful hotel on a long trip. This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve stayed- it’s very aesthetic and clearly a lot of thought has been put into every detail, from the decor to the little spoons they give you with coffee to the nice water they leave in the room to the lamps and towel hangers and books and door knockers. All designed with great care. However, we were both ultimately extremely disappointed. We can’t understand why this riad is so expensive and provides such mediocre service, especially compared to less expensive and also very beautiful riads we stayed in within Marrakech for at least 50-100 USD less. The fact that the additional breakfast is 16 USD is outrageous for the area- again, especially because at other stays it was free (and included eggs and yogurt, which this did not). No welcome tea on arrival (when we asked, we were told the first tea was free and they made it for us); tea and water are only available for purchase (not unlimited as is common with other riads); the phone number provided on Google doesn’t work; no one helped us with our bags from the street; no dinner option; we had to ask for a tour of the facility and ask for key information like how to enter at night vs. being welcomed and given important information on arrival; and though we told them many times (more than one email and in person upon arrival to the staff) it was our honeymoon, there was no acknowledgement at all. I found the whole process extractive and it left me with a bad taste in my mouth, especially because this hotel isn’t owned by Moroccans. It read as foreigners coming in, buying a nice building as an investment, restoring it to Instagram worthy proportions, and then shaking customers loose for every last penny in a way that made me uncomfortable, especially for how much they talk about the spirit of Morocco on their website etc etc. There was a note of welcome from the owners on our bed when we arrived that said “welcome to our family”- but ultimately, it was all style and no soul. It was incredibly beautiful but I wouldn’t stay here again because it was not a good hospitality experience. Don’t be fooled by the...

Riad Jardin Secret – A Dreamlike Oasis in the Heart of Marrakech

Our stay at Riad Jardin Secret was nothing short of magical – the kind of holiday that quietly redefines what one imagines true hospitality and beauty to be. It is, without exaggeration, the most enchanting place we have ever stayed, and a memory we shall treasure forever.

Hidden discreetly within the humming heart of the Medina, the riad reveals itself like a secret whispered through a keyhole. What awaits inside is a masterclass in taste: an intoxicating blend of faded grandeur, bohemian elegance, and Moroccan romance. Every room, every piece of furniture, every flickering candle feels placed not merely with intention, but with love.

The atmosphere is one of languid serenity – it invites you to exhale, to slow down, to simply be. Whether you are reclining on the jasmine-scented rooftop, sipping mint tea beside the courtyard palms, or gazing at the stars from the softly glowing terrace, it all feels quietly transcendent.

The true heart of the experience, however, lies in the extraordinary team. Yousef was an absolute gentleman – thoughtful, gracious, and possessed of the rare ability to make you feel instantly at ease. Hassna, with her radiant smile and quiet warmth, was a joy to see each morning, and Raheem was endlessly kind and attentive – nothing was too much trouble, and everything was done with such understated charm.

We came to Marrakech in search of colour, culture, and rest – we left with full hearts, new friends, and the indelible memory of a truly perfect escape. Riad Jardin Secret is not just a place to stay; it is a...

Let's start with the positives- the building is impressive! A true jewel with some details at the same level as the most famous historical monuments of the town. The terrace offers great views and there is a lot of common spaces where you can find your own spot. Everything is very tastefully decorated. The breakfast was delicious and big. One thing to note it's only offered from 8:30 (which is the sad rule of the town from our experience) but even though we asked to have it earlier we waited for it until 9:00. So do not count on getting out very early- unless you go out before breakfast. Now the big problem- we had the bad luck to arrive in Marrakesh during a heat wave at the end of June/ beginning of July. Daily temperatures were reaching 44 degrees and during the night were dropping slowly only to around 25 degrees. And there is no AC in the building... The temperature in our room remained somewhere in between, well over 30 degrees. We could not sleep. We tried sleeping on the terrace first but the light and noise of the town did not make it easy. So in the end we had a very poor night. The riad says that lack of AC is ecological. I do not buy it since at the same time they have fireplaces (10x the amount of CO2 emitted), candles etc. And it's possible to protect yourself from the cold while there is no way to protect yourself from the extreme heat. I would accept it in a backpacker's hostel but not in a place where you pay thousands of dirhams a night. It was a real pity for us as we really needed a place to escape to from the heat and our room was...