Riad Amssafah Hotel

1 reader found this review helpful

Great place to stay BUT we wished they had stated that it had no heating in the rooms!
Temperatures drop to 1-2 degrees at night in December so jammies and hot water bottles recommended.
Breakfast was great, plenty of it and happy to provide more of anything on request.
Sun terrace was brilliant, especially with a bottle of wine in the afternoon sun. Rose recommended, not bad at approx. £7 a bottle.
Food in Marrakesh was far better than we anticipated - the tangines and couscous were excellent, again you need to be aware that many cafes/restaurants are outside and unheated so take warm clothes in winter.

This hotel really was fabulous, we loved the large colourful rooms, they felt authentic Morrocan. The staff were very friendly and helpful, a beautiful calm place to escape to. Pity I can't say the same for the rest of Marrakech, and it is some where I had wanted to go for a while.
The medina was full of beggars, dirty, smelly and more smog than LA. The square was disappointing; nothing there to see but tourists looking for some thing to see, though the food being served there at night looked good.
Just cheap, dated cafes, all needing to come into the 3rd Millennium, and by that I don't mean old and interesting just dated and tacky, think plastic chairs and coffee served in plastic tumblers circa 1970. Watch out for the snake charmers, if they put the little snake round you they will try and rip you off for £20, for a crap picture, just walk away. I couldn't believe how many people actually paid.
There were some nice places to eat but they were the advertised theme bars and pizzerias, don't need to go to Morroco for a pizza. Most of the trips out of Marrakech are a rip off, you will most likely be charged again when you get there.
We booked to go to the Atlas mountains, which was nice, but we had to pay the guide and lunch again when we had paid in advance. I would go back to this hotel if they moved it some where else, and in all the places in the world I've ever been, this is the one place I would say if you're thinking of going to Marrakesh….DON'T - go somewhere nice instead.

3 readers found this review helpful

Where to Start? Marrakech is not for the faint of heart. It bombards all your senses at once with its colours, smells, sights and sounds, and that can leave your head spinning at times, but what a fab place to visit. If you intend to visit, why not stay at the Riad Amssafah Hotel right in the heart of it all - a 10 /15 minute walk to Djemma El Fnaa square and a few minuets from the hustle and bustle of the souks.
The Riad itself is of a decent standard and a heaven of tranquility with its helpful and friendly staff. We found it to be a nice place to stay although it could do with a little T.L.C in places. Especially the sun terrace Breakfast is continental style bread rolls, jam, butter, cheese spread with traditional Moroccan pancakes and cafe au lait.
You can now take a settle bus from the airport at a cost of 20 Dirham (£1.20 or 2 Euro) direct to the square, or there is a local bus No. 11 that runs from near the airport to the square (cost: 3.5 Dirham/20p). If you want a taxi you'll need a petit taxi to take you into the Medina (cost: about 30/50 Dirham), well worth taking for the experience - you'll see what I mean once you're in the narrow streets within the Medina, plus it's doubtful you'll find the Riad without the help of some only too willing local who will, (be warned) want paying for their services.

Head for the Djemma El Fnaa square at night to sample Moroccan food cooked for you at one of the many stalls that appear here in the evening, or try the cinnamon tea on offer from one of the other vendors, or sit and take in the sights and sounds at one of the many restaurants that surround the square.
You will be hard pushed to find alcohol on sale, although back at the Riad you can get a beer for 30 Dirham (£1.90) and a bottle of wine for approx 120 Dirham (£7.50). The square is also a good place to grab a freshly squeezed juice after the madness of the souks - that's if you don't get lost. If you do, don't fear, there is always a helpful local on hand to guide you - at a small price of course.
If you don't require their help, just say "no thank you". Be firm and polite - they may continue to follow you, just repeat "no thank you" until they get the message. The same thing goes for the square. If you don't want to sit down to eat or have your photo taken with a snake or monkey or anyone else that may offer, just say "no thank you" and walk away. If you do, be prepared to pay; they may want upwards of £3.00/50 Dirham.
My tip is to take just enough money to get what you need, or take 2 wallets, one with very little in it and one with the rest of your money; that way you can show them an empty wallet and tell them that is all you have, if they persist. We had a photo taken with a water seller; he wanted 50 Dirham, we gave him 20, and he was more than happy with that. Barter, barter, barter for the best deal.
We bought a dagger, for which the man wanted 1200 Dirham (£75.00). We eventually settled on 300 Dirham and ended up paying 285 Dirham/£18.00 - all we had in our wallet - and it did the trick, as he gave us some back to get a drink. If you're not happy with a price walk away! Do not be intimidated

Visit Jardin Majorelle http://www.jardinmajorelle.com/ - a peaceful oasis of calm amongst the hustle and bustle of the New Town. It's only a short walk from the Riad, if you want to brave the not-so-touristy side of Marrakech. We did and found it to be fascinating.
Finally, at the airport be warned getting though passport control can be a lengthy business it took us some 50 minuets allow plenty of time on your retune journey. Duty free shops only accept Euros, but if you do have a few Dirham left you can spend these at the small snack bar in the corner opposite the duty free shops.
If you intend to get Moroccan currency by drawing it out at an ATM, be aware that not all cards work my Visa debit card worked fine but Maestro card didn't there is a Bureau de change in the airport as well as a ATM plus a few in and around Djemma El Fnaa. Don't forget to pack your sun cream as temperatures were in the mid 20's March 2007 Enjoy all that Marrakech has to offer.

I have travelled a lot and stayed in a lot of hotels - and this is the first time I have made an effort to write a review.
Not only were the staff amazing in going out of their way to help you or offer advice, but the decor was incredible to look at... and being located in the middle of the souks, the hotel was an amazing calm compared to some of the rush of the streets outside (in itself an experience).
Would highly recommend this place to stay if going to Marrakech!!

I have traveled to Morocco several times over the last thirty years but have never stayed in such a delightful place as the Riad Amssafah. The people running the house were so welcoming and helpful they made us feel part of the family. Their food was the best we tasted, even though we ate at several beautiful and well recommended restaurants.
Actually staying in the Medina, only a few minutes away from the Souks was such an experience. The Riad was like an oasis of calm in the middle of a medieval market place. The souks themselves are a riot of colour, perfumes and humanity.
Try the Cafe France terrace at dusk, and watch the carnival taking place in the square beneath you, try the Foundouk for it's beautiful decor, but maybe avoid the Fantasia! - the displays of horsemanship are excellent, but the rest is a bit 'Disney'
If you are going to Marrakech, stay at the Riad Amssafah and your holiday will be much enriched.