Marrakech Medina: AMETHYSTE RIAD rented in TOTAL EXCLUSIVITY situated right in the heart of the MEDINA of MARRAKECH

We came to Marrakech to celebrate my daughter’s birthday. This property was 5 star, right in the middle of the action. Hopefully we’ll be able to stay again on our next visit.

We stayed for 8 nights in mid-April and we loved it. Original, calm and relaxing, very tastefully decorated 100+ year old riad, ideally located for both the Medina & the new Town. Jemma El Fna 20min walk, souks 10min

The yard is a cool & quiet paradise with a tall palm tree, bamboo and 2 bitter orange trees which fill the house with fragrance after dark. The view upwards into the blue sky is mesmerising and you will occasionally spot the odd stork, bird of prey, swallows and flocks of Bea-eaters. A tame pair of house buntings also live in the yard and will often hop around you in search of insects.

Upstairs the private terrace is sunny during the day and starry at night. Cats patrol the top of the wall. The bedrooms are comfortable, cool in the day & warm at night, with good mattresses. Sleep quality is excellent. The toilets are clean with is 24hr hot water. The kitchen is fully equipped including an orange juicer.

Hafid– the caretaker - is amazing. Discreet, calm and friendly, he will prepare your breakfast every morning (coffee, tea, milk, freshly, orange juice, bread, jams, honey and some very nice flat pitta bread. He can arrange home cooked meals delivered to the riad. He will give you advice and if you wish arrange everything such as taxis, camel trips, sightseeing . He speaks a bit of English too.

The neighborhood is less touristy than other areas in the Medina & the shops are aimed at locals. You can find everything for your daily supplies. ATM 5min on the road which runs along the walls towards Bab Doukkala.

Just outsidethe nearby Bab Moussoufa there is a veg & fruit market with good prices and worth visiting around 19:00 - busy & full of smoke from the food stalls. Best street food nearby:

1.Corner shop just opposite (on the left). Baked lemon chicken & beans cooked in a clay urn 25MAD per portion

2.BBQ chicken at the end of the little shopping street that runs immediately left as you exit the riad. (25 MAD per portion with bread)

3.The little BBQ place. Exit the riad & turn into the 2nd left (Rue El Gza). It’s on the left a few yards down, run by 2 polite, friendly brothers. It serves tiny skewers in a flat bread. Ask for 4-8 skewers for each sandwich. They are fantastic & very cheap!

4.The fried fish places on the road parallel to the wall towards Bab Doukkala. Buy by weight a selection of different small fried fish. A takeaway for 4 with some aubergines, bread and a couple of chilies will cost around 40 MAD.

Location is excellent as its walking distance to taxis and buses. If you are driving in the 24hr parking is 5 min walk. Walk within 15min or taxi 5min to main square, main souks and tourist sites.

The Riad has a nice feel to it. Though in a busy medina its very quiet. Decor is very tasteful. Beds are comfy and the double bedrooms are heated.

The caretaker was very nice and helped for all things local. Checkin and checkout was a breeze.

"Riad beautiful, with every comfort, excellent location.

Hafid preson is a delightful, polite and helpful.

Riad just needs a good general cleaning, overall very good accommodation."

"Amethyste Riad is beautiful, traditional and peaceful. It has everything required and is clean.

It has a bathroom and a seperate shower rooom with lashings of hot water. Only one toilet to share. We were warm at night with electric heaters. The beds are comfortable and firm. Hafid comes every morning and makes breakfast. He looked after us very well and was so helpful. One night he arranged for a tasty targine to be made and we ate in the Riad. We would definately book this Riad again."