Pros

  • Within walking distance of several historic sites
  • Individually decorated rooms with high ceilings and traditional Moroccan furniture
  • Bathrooms have modern designer fittings
  • Small wading pool, on-site spa and roof terrace with lounge chairs
  • On-site restaurant offering Italian and Moroccan cuisine
  • Free breakfast, with fresh yogurt, eggs, and bread
  • Babysitting available for a fee
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
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Cons

  • No on-site fitness or business facilities (typical of riads)
  • Near a mosque and calls to prayer may awaken guests
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Bottom Line

The Riad Azoulay is an upscale, nine-room property within walking distance of several historic sites in the busy Marrakech medina. Built in the 16th century, the riad features an interior courtyard with a wading pool plus a spa and a rooftop terrace offering a panoramic view of the city. The guest rooms are individually designed with traditional Moroccan furniture and modern bathroom fittings. A free breakfast is served at the on-site restaurant, which also serves lunch and dinner dishes inspired by local and Italian cuisine. Travelers may want to compare rates and amenities with the Riad de la Belle Epoque, another intimate, historic property, although it lacks a spa.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Riad Azoulay

Scene

Historic and intimate Moroccan riad tucked away in Marrakech's medina

Getting to the entrance of Riad Azoulay requires passing through mountains of spices and other goods for sale in the surrounding Mellah souk. The hotel's wooden doorway feels almost like a secret passage to escape from the clamor of the nearby stalls. Built in the middle of the 16th century by a wealthy landlord, the riad has walls lined with smooth "tadelakt" plaster and ceilings with exposed beams made out of Lebanese cedar. Marble details add to the interior's elegance. Structured around a central courtyard, the balcony's iron scrolls create a swirling visual motif throughout the floors. At the bottom of the courtyard is a modest, tiled wading pool which helps cool the air circulating through the building. One end of the rectangular pool is punctuated with a flower-covered fountain. Throughout the common spaces, contemporary wood-framed furniture complements the traditional decor. On the roof, several lounge chairs and benches are lined up under canopies enabling guests to soak up the North African sun and peer out over the Marrakech rooftops. The atmosphere is best suited to vacationing couples and families looking for a relaxing spot in Marrakech's Jewish quarter.

See More Scene

Location

In the Mellah Souk section of the Marrakech Medina, walking distance to several historic sites

Marrakech's Mellah Souk, where the Riad Azoulay is located, is known historically as the Jewish section of the city. That history can be traced through the neighborhood's numerous synagogues, several of which are less than a 10-minute walk away and date back to the 16th century, when Jews settled in the area. The ornate, 19th-century Bahia Palace, built to house the sultan's concubines, is a five-minute stroll from the Riad Azoulay. The Jemaa el-Fnaa market, filled with juice stands and snake charmers, is 15 minutes away on foot or five minutes by car. The posh 16th-century El Badi palace is a six-minute walk from the hotel. Travelers arriving at the Marrakech Menara Airport should expect the drive to Riad Azoulay to take about 13 minutes. Public transportation from the airport isn't available to the hotel and visitors should expect that many of the city's sites will need to be visited on foot or via a rented car or taxi.

See More Location

Rooms

Large and individually decorated apartment-like rooms

Riad Azoulay was originally a private estate, and the nine individually decorated guest rooms continue to feel homey, with high ceilings with exposed beams, a generous amount of seating, and private terraces. The spaces are individually decorated with handcrafted furniture and original artwork. Most rooms have four-poster beds, lantern-shaped lights, and Oriental rugs. Egyptian cotton bedding and artisanal fabrics cover the mattresses. Molding and tile-work accent the walls. Of the nine guest spaces, five are rooms that sleep two people and the other four are suites that sleep between three and five people. As with the rooms, bathrooms vary, but most have modern fittings like square vessel sinks, jewel-toned walls, and walk-in showers. Some have double sinks and large shower/tub combos. Toiletries are provided. 

See More Rooms

Features

Free breakfast and Wi-Fi, outdoor pool, spa, and restaurant

While most riads lack the full amenities of a hotel, Riad Azoulay has several notable features, especially for a smaller property. The free Mediterranean breakfast includes fresh bread, yogurt, and eggs. An on-site restaurant serves dishes that combine Moroccan and Italian influences such as tagines and savory pastries. Free coffee and tea are regularly available in the common areas. The courtyard's wading pool is nice for cooling off and relaxing, but isn't designed for swimming. There's also a spa with massages and beauty treatments, including hairstyling, but there's no gym or business center as you might expect from a larger, upscale hotel. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and babysitting is available for a fee.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Riad Azoulay

Scene

Historic and intimate Moroccan riad tucked away in Marrakech's medina

Getting to the entrance of Riad Azoulay requires passing through mountains of spices and other goods for sale in the surrounding Mellah souk. The hotel's wooden doorway feels almost like a secret passage to escape from the clamor of the nearby stalls. Built in the middle of the 16th century by a wealthy landlord, the riad has walls lined with smooth "tadelakt" plaster and ceilings with exposed beams made out of Lebanese cedar. Marble details add to the interior's elegance. Structured around a central courtyard, the balcony's iron scrolls create a swirling visual motif throughout the floors. At the bottom of the courtyard is a modest, tiled wading pool which helps cool the air circulating through the building. One end of the rectangular pool is punctuated with a flower-covered fountain. Throughout the common spaces, contemporary wood-framed furniture complements the traditional decor. On the roof, several lounge chairs and benches are lined up under canopies enabling guests to soak up the North African sun and peer out over the Marrakech rooftops. The atmosphere is best suited to vacationing couples and families looking for a relaxing spot in Marrakech's Jewish quarter.

See More Scene

Location

In the Mellah Souk section of the Marrakech Medina, walking distance to several historic sites

Marrakech's Mellah Souk, where the Riad Azoulay is located, is known historically as the Jewish section of the city. That history can be traced through the neighborhood's numerous synagogues, several of which are less than a 10-minute walk away and date back to the 16th century, when Jews settled in the area. The ornate, 19th-century Bahia Palace, built to house the sultan's concubines, is a five-minute stroll from the Riad Azoulay. The Jemaa el-Fnaa market, filled with juice stands and snake charmers, is 15 minutes away on foot or five minutes by car. The posh 16th-century El Badi palace is a six-minute walk from the hotel. Travelers arriving at the Marrakech Menara Airport should expect the drive to Riad Azoulay to take about 13 minutes. Public transportation from the airport isn't available to the hotel and visitors should expect that many of the city's sites will need to be visited on foot or via a rented car or taxi.

See More Location

Rooms

Large and individually decorated apartment-like rooms

Riad Azoulay was originally a private estate, and the nine individually decorated guest rooms continue to feel homey, with high ceilings with exposed beams, a generous amount of seating, and private terraces. The spaces are individually decorated with handcrafted furniture and original artwork. Most rooms have four-poster beds, lantern-shaped lights, and Oriental rugs. Egyptian cotton bedding and artisanal fabrics cover the mattresses. Molding and tile-work accent the walls. Of the nine guest spaces, five are rooms that sleep two people and the other four are suites that sleep between three and five people. As with the rooms, bathrooms vary, but most have modern fittings like square vessel sinks, jewel-toned walls, and walk-in showers. Some have double sinks and large shower/tub combos. Toiletries are provided. 

See More Rooms

Features

Free breakfast and Wi-Fi, outdoor pool, spa, and restaurant

While most riads lack the full amenities of a hotel, Riad Azoulay has several notable features, especially for a smaller property. The free Mediterranean breakfast includes fresh bread, yogurt, and eggs. An on-site restaurant serves dishes that combine Moroccan and Italian influences such as tagines and savory pastries. Free coffee and tea are regularly available in the common areas. The courtyard's wading pool is nice for cooling off and relaxing, but isn't designed for swimming. There's also a spa with massages and beauty treatments, including hairstyling, but there's no gym or business center as you might expect from a larger, upscale hotel. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and babysitting is available for a fee.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.