Ryad Mogador Kasbah

Fronted by a pretty, green-tiled fountain, the Ryad Mogador Kasbah follows a familiar pattern of the brand -- a modern hotel built in the style of a traditional Moroccan kasbah with a reddish-pink facade and Arabian-style arches. Inside, the lobby is a fabulous explosion of Moroccan decor, with the ubiquitous geometric "zellige" tiling reflected in marble floors and traditional "tadelakt" polished limestone plaster -- all illuminated by a superb tiered chandelier hanging through a patterned dome ceiling. A lobby lounge continues the impressive decor with more intricate tiling and beautifully carved plasterwork. The hotel's long corridors can feel dreary and bland in comparison. There's little in the way of green outdoor spaces beyond some patches of lawn that surround the swimming pool, though with the property directly under a flight path, guests can expect to hear a fair amount of air traffic passing overhead. 

The hotel is located off a main road south of the medina near the Adgal Gardens. While there's a mall about a five-minute walk away with shops and restaurants, there's no tourist attractions nearby, aside from the gardens. It's about a 10-minute drive to the bustling souks of the medina -- the hotel provides regular, free shuttle service to the city center -- while Marrakech Menara Airport is within a 10-minute drive. 

The hotel has 176 air-conditioned rooms, all of which are decorated in a simple style with neutral tones, and antique-style furnishings -- but there's little in the way of Moroccan decor besides patterned rugs, and some rooms show signs of wear and tear. Furnished balconies overlooking the pool or nearby road are a highlight of the room. There's little or no Wi-Fi or tea- and coffee-making facilities, though there are mini-fridges, safes, and a mixture of old-style tube and flat-screen TVs that have a couple of English-speaking channels. Beige-tile bathrooms come with wall-mounted hairdryers, sunken tubs, and powerful showers, though some of the plasterwork needs refurbishing. Note: Noise from passing airplanes can be disturbing early in the morning.

The hotel serves an extensive breakfast buffet each morning (not included in the standard rate) consisting of pastries, scrambled eggs, freshly squeezed orange juice, and Moroccan pancakes -- though its quality can be inconsistent. The restaurant also serves a menu of Moroccan and international favorites throughout the day. Alcohol is not served anywhere on the property (but it can be purchased at a local supermarket). Behind the hotel sits the large outdoor swimming pool with plenty of sun loungers and a separate kids' splash pool. The water can get chilly, as the pool isn't heated. The on-site spa also provides a traditional hammam steam bath, and sauna, and body scrubs and massage treatments. There's also a small fitness center on-site.