Pros

  • Beautifully restored traditional riad, located at the southern end of the medina, near the Bahia Palace
  • 10- to 15-minute walk to Djemaa el Fna square
  • Elegantly styled air-conditioned rooms
  • Rooftop terrace with pool, loungers, and hot tub
  • Extensive breakfast included in rate
  • Lunch, dinner, and cooking classes available
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
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Cons

  • No hammam on-site
  • Fee to use hot tub
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Bottom Line

The seven-room Riad Jona is a particularly attractive, upscale guesthouse located at the southern end of the medina, near the Bahia Palace, within a 10- to 15-minute walk to Djemaa el Fna square. Interiors have elegant touches, like filigree lanterns, ironwork, and scatted rose petals, adding to the romantic vibe. Facilities include an above-ground rooftop pool and a hot tub (for a fee). Rooms are elegantly finished, especially the suites, and lunch and dinner, prepared by a resident chef, is excellent. Those looking for more fashion-forward decor could try the Riad Elizabeth.

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Amenities

  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Riad Jona

Scene

Smart and attractive decor with a romantic vibe

A studded wooden entrance flanked by potted palms sets the tone at this particularly polished riad hotel. Its interior is a tasteful blend of intricate plasterwork, carved dark-wood furnishings, sumptuous fabrics, and filigree lanterns throwing dappled light onto limestone walls. Incense mingles with the smell of freshly cut roses (rose petals are strewn liberally around the property), while intricate wrought ironwork and tasseled drapery decorate the walkways. A rooftop terrace provides a sunny space to unwind under canopy-shaded seating. And the above-ground pool, which is larger than the courtyard plunge pools of most riads, gives a spot to cool off. The owners -- Ghizlane and Julien -- opened Riad Jona in 2007 and have taken care to retain its original charm and romantic ambience.

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Location

On a high-walled medina street within a 10- to 15-minute walk of Djemaa el Fna square

The hotel is located in the labyrinthine area of Riad Zitoun Jdid in the medina's southern end, near the Bahia Palace complex and the Mellah, the oldest Jewish quarter in Morocco, with its lively spice market. Djemaa el Fna square -- full of snake-charmers, fortune-tellers, and orange juice vendors -- is 10 to 15 minutes away on foot, while the bustling souks lie just beyond the square.  As is the case with many medina properties, there is no direct car access, though the hotel has an airport shuttle service, which is strongly recommended, as the riad is not easy to find the first time; it's a five-minute walk from the shuttle drop-off point.

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Rooms

A blend of modern and traditional elements with fresh fruit and flowers

While individually styled, the Riad Jona's seven guest rooms and suites tend toward fresh light tones in"tadelakt" plaster with splashes of shimmering crimsons and purples. Plenty of traditional Moroccan furnishings and lighting -- hanging lanterns, ornate plaster, and arched doorways -- make an appearance. Like other riads, rooms do not have TVs, minibars, or coffeemakers (although the Cannelle Suite has an iPod station). Rooms are air-conditioned, however, and come with free Wi-Fi, although the signal gets weak in the upper-floor rooms. Noise can be an issue as well: Ground-floor rooms can pick up sounds from the kitchen and courtyard, while the call to prayer can be heard on the upper levels.

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Features

Large and sunny rooftop terrace with small pool and hot tub

The riad has a large rooftop terrace with a bar, small above-ground pool, plenty of sun loungers, and a hot tub, which comes with an extra fee. An excellent breakfast of fresh fruit, yogurt, and Moroccan pancakes is served each morning on the sunny terrace, on the patio in cooler weather, or guests' rooms if desired. There's no hammam on-site, but massage treatments can be arranged. Cooking lessons are also available with the resident chef, who prepares delicious lunches and dinners.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Riad Jona

Scene

Smart and attractive decor with a romantic vibe

A studded wooden entrance flanked by potted palms sets the tone at this particularly polished riad hotel. Its interior is a tasteful blend of intricate plasterwork, carved dark-wood furnishings, sumptuous fabrics, and filigree lanterns throwing dappled light onto limestone walls. Incense mingles with the smell of freshly cut roses (rose petals are strewn liberally around the property), while intricate wrought ironwork and tasseled drapery decorate the walkways. A rooftop terrace provides a sunny space to unwind under canopy-shaded seating. And the above-ground pool, which is larger than the courtyard plunge pools of most riads, gives a spot to cool off. The owners -- Ghizlane and Julien -- opened Riad Jona in 2007 and have taken care to retain its original charm and romantic ambience.

See More Scene

Location

On a high-walled medina street within a 10- to 15-minute walk of Djemaa el Fna square

The hotel is located in the labyrinthine area of Riad Zitoun Jdid in the medina's southern end, near the Bahia Palace complex and the Mellah, the oldest Jewish quarter in Morocco, with its lively spice market. Djemaa el Fna square -- full of snake-charmers, fortune-tellers, and orange juice vendors -- is 10 to 15 minutes away on foot, while the bustling souks lie just beyond the square.  As is the case with many medina properties, there is no direct car access, though the hotel has an airport shuttle service, which is strongly recommended, as the riad is not easy to find the first time; it's a five-minute walk from the shuttle drop-off point.

See More Location

Rooms

A blend of modern and traditional elements with fresh fruit and flowers

While individually styled, the Riad Jona's seven guest rooms and suites tend toward fresh light tones in"tadelakt" plaster with splashes of shimmering crimsons and purples. Plenty of traditional Moroccan furnishings and lighting -- hanging lanterns, ornate plaster, and arched doorways -- make an appearance. Like other riads, rooms do not have TVs, minibars, or coffeemakers (although the Cannelle Suite has an iPod station). Rooms are air-conditioned, however, and come with free Wi-Fi, although the signal gets weak in the upper-floor rooms. Noise can be an issue as well: Ground-floor rooms can pick up sounds from the kitchen and courtyard, while the call to prayer can be heard on the upper levels.

See More Rooms

Features

Large and sunny rooftop terrace with small pool and hot tub

The riad has a large rooftop terrace with a bar, small above-ground pool, plenty of sun loungers, and a hot tub, which comes with an extra fee. An excellent breakfast of fresh fruit, yogurt, and Moroccan pancakes is served each morning on the sunny terrace, on the patio in cooler weather, or guests' rooms if desired. There's no hammam on-site, but massage treatments can be arranged. Cooking lessons are also available with the resident chef, who prepares delicious lunches and dinners.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Pool

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

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.