To reach Riad Zolah and indeed nearly all of Marrakech's Riads and tourist spots, you have to walk down a series of dark alley ways which feel surprisingly safe and appeal to the child in me because it feels a bit like The Secret Garden when you arrive at a non-descript door that opens into the most beautiful courtyard I have ever seen.

We were met at the airport by a driver sent by the Riad and taken to the Medina. Because it's mostly donkeys and mopeds in the Medina, he left us in the capable hands of Aziz on the outskirts and we walked the rest of the way to the Riad. Along the way Aziz taught us a few useful Arabic and French phrases and encouraged us when we faulteringly tried to prounounce the Arabic ones.

When we arrived at the Riad all hot and dusty, we were shown through the aforesaid door into a miniature paradise of orange trees, singing birds, rose petals, floating fabrics and were immediately sat down and served mint tea and small biscuits.

After a rest of about 10 minutes, the morning manager (a very nice lady, didn't catch her name though) came and took us through a map of Marrakech, labelled all the routes we would need, circled areas of interest and told us everything we would need to know for our trip which included how to use the mobile phone they lend to the guests in the Riad for any calls we wished to make.

We were shown to our rose petal stewn room and told that we were to choose our pair of slippers from the collection at the door and that these were ours to keep...... obviously the next half an hour was spent trying to decide on what colour I wanted!

It's impossible to relay the feeling of serenity and peacefulness that the Riad gives you, it truly was the most charming experience coupled with the best hospitality and staff I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

We stayed in two rooms during our 3 night stay and both were wonderful. The bathrooms had shining, copper basins and beautifully tiled floors and the bedrooms had amazing silk hangings and candles everywhere. In the evenings, the beds were magically turned down for the night by unseen staff, your slippers placed by your bed and your clothes neatly folded with fresh rose petals everywhere.

There is no key to enter the Riad so you have to knock whenever you return from your daytrips and whilst this might seem inconvenient to some, it makes your stay so much more personal when you're greeting by a smiling member of staff who asks your about your day, where you went and what you bought. Staying at the Riad is like being a guest at someone's house and it's a wonderful experience.

I cannot reccommend this Riad highly enough but if you want the most peaceful of oases to return to in the evenings after a dusty day in the souks with unmatched hospitality, then this is the Riad for you.

.... if the above doesn't convince you, there is always the hot and cold running mint tea and orange juice!

Hi,
We just returned from our visit to Marrkech and selected the Riad Zolah from other reviews on TripAdvisor. It was even better than the great reviews it received. The place is Marrakech's best kept secret. Tucked away in an alleyway right near the main market, the location was great, yet quiet. The rooms were absolutely gorgeous, the breakfasts superb and we couldn't ask for more (two single women). Until you get the hang of things the souk can be confusing and they actually give you a mobile phone in case you get lost. They provide airport transports, help you decide what wonderful restaurant you wish to visit and satisfy whatever it is you need. I cannot recommend the Riad Zolah and it's staff enought. You won't find a better place. Kathy in Alaska

We stayed at Riad Zolah on April 6th - 11th on ocasion of our 10th wedding anniversary and are very happy we did. The house is just beautiful, decorated with a lot of taste and attention to detail, it's got the perfect location in the very heart of the medina and they pamper you perfectly. Ismail, Zinab, Aziz and Omar receive you with a genuine friendliness and hospitability you'll have a hard time finding anywhere else. Soon you feel like coming home to a friend when you return from sightseeing or shopping to the riad. And they seem mor then happy to fulfill you wishes and needs. As for the wonderful details such as rose petals on your bed and towels, the wonderful breakfast on the roof top etc,mny have written about that and it's all true - as is everything the fotos on the website might suggest you. And they offer you things and services beyond those mentioned on the site, so forget about the ludicrous commento of alleged money mindedness some reviewer made.
We felt to have picked the perfect spot for our romantic city break in Marrkech.
Once again shukran bezzef to Ismail, Zinab, Aziz and Omar , we hope to be back some day, inshallah.