10 Derb El Feranne Azbetz, Place Ben Salah, Marrakech, Morocco | (888) 708-2081
Spacious, traditionally decorated riad
Location in the heart
of the medina, near the Marrakech Museum
Large courtyard with plunge pool and fountain
Rooftop terrace with
hot tub and sun loungers
Hammam steam bath
with massage treatments
Breakfast included
in rate
Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
Some rooms smell musty
Dinner a bit more expensive than at other riads
Comprising three
courtyards, a spacious rooftop terrace, several snug lounges, and 19 guest rooms, this mid-range property is one of the larger riads in the area. Located in the thick of the medina's bustling souks, Riad Karmela is within a five-minute walk of the Marrakech Museum and a 10-minute walk of Jamaa el Fna Square. Rooms are clean and pleasant, though some are more elaborately decorated than others, and guests have complained about a slight mustiness. A rooftop hot tub and on-site
hammam are both plus points, and make the comparatively low rates even more of a bargain. But those looking for traditional riad accommodations could compare rates with the Riad La Porte Rouge.
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.
Scene
Spacious and serene guesthouse with orange trees and tortoises
The Riad Karmela's interior projects a peaceful air of calm far from the bustling souks that surround this property. On entry, guests are welcomed with mint tea and pastries, and given a map
and advice on how to best navigate the city. Renovated in 2009, the
property is comprised of two riads whose crisp white-washed walls provide a canvas for lovely carved
cedar wood doorways and intricate "zellige" patterned tiling. One of the area's larger riads, it has three interconnected courtyards, the largest of which
features a fountain and plunge pool, four orange trees heavy with fruit, and abundant potted
palms. Resident tortoises, Timmy and Tommy, can also be found wandering the grounds,
while numerous secluded nooks are filled with local handicrafts and curios,
handpicked from the Marrakech flea markets by Joel, the owner.
Location
Set amid the bustling souks of the medina
The hotel is in the heart of the medina, right in the thick of its boisterous souks. The famous Djemaa el-Fna square -- full of snake-charmers,
fortune-tellers, henna tattooers, and the nighttime food stalls -- is within a 10-minute walk, and the Marrakech Museum, the Museum of Photography, and the 14th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa, considered one of the best examples of Moorish architecture in the world, are within a five- to 10-minute walk. As with many medina properties, there is no direct car access and an airport transfer arranged in advance with the riad is highly recommended.
Rooms
Individually styled rooms with Moroccan touches, air-conditioning, and Wi-Fi
Riad Karmela's 19
rooms are individually styled with a mix of traditional carved
wooden furnishings, colorful fabrics, and varying amounts of Moroccan art and
handicrafts. Shuttered windows, terra-cotta herringbone floors, and filigree
hanging lanterns also figure in most rooms. Bathrooms are finished in polished "tadelakt" plasterwork
with hammered metal basins. But not all rooms have the same level of ornamentation, and some are a bit more basic. As with most riad-style properties, rooms do not have TVs, minibars, or coffeemakers, but they are air-conditioned and come with free Wi-Fi. Junior Suites and two- bedroom apartments
are also available for groups or families of up to five people. There have been reports of
mustiness in some of the rooms, and rooms on the ground floor off the courtyard can feel less
private than those on higher levels.
Features
Rooftop hot tub, hammam steam bath, and plenty of snug nooks
Guests are served
a daily breakfast of breads, cheeses, cold meats, jams, juices,
plus an omelet -- all included in the rate and taken on the rooftop terrace
during warmer weather. A three-course traditional Moroccan dinner menu is also available; it must be requested in advance, as the ingredients are bought the same day -- and it's a bit more expensive (about $6 more) than a similar meal in other riads. There are several
cozy lounges hidden around the property, one of which has a log fireplace. The rooftop
terrace is scented with jasmine and has a hot tub that operates during the warmer months.
The hotel also has a hammam steam bath with a choice of scented eucalyptus, or
argan oil massage treatments.
