Riad Chi-Chi

Press Reviews

Daily Mirror, December 2010
"This house in the medina lives up to its name with its beautifully-decorated rooms. There's also a roof terrace that has views across to the Atlas mountains."

The Guardian, September 2010
"Hard to choose between Marrakech's riads, isn't it? Riad Chi-Chi which opened last year, is a great value option. Five rooms in subtle cream have wooden lattices looking onto a courtyard with a small petal-strewn swimming pool and cushioned alcoves. A canopied chillout area on the roof has Atlas views."

Guest Reviews

Reviews are only from people who have stayed there and booked through i-escape.

• “Riad Chi-chi was one the best places we stayed in whilst in Morocco. Superbly appointed rooms (we received a free upgrade) and a really beautiful Riad. Yvonne the manager was extremely helpful and even helped us out of hassling touts on the street when we first arrived in Marrakech. The food at the Riad was good but like most places in Morocco, as vegetarians we quickly longed for more than just vegetable tagine and couscous. Breakfast at the Riad was one of the better ones we had whilst in Morocco for the week. Our stay at Chi chi was peaceful, relaxed and of the highest quality. We managed to pack a lot into our stay in Marrakech thanks to tips on sights, local taxi fares, and the souks from Yvonne who made our stay a memorable one. We'd definitely return to Chi Chi when we revisit Morocco and Marrakech.”
  Kalpesh, United Kingdom (11.04.12)

• “A peaceful haven in the middle of a mesmerizing and chaotic city. The staff were fabulous and could not help enough.”
  Helene, United Kingdom (07.04.12)

• “We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Riad Chi-Chi - it’s a fantastic little place and excellent value for money. We stayed in Ivory, which was beautifully decorated and very quiet, and had a delicious meal at the riad on our first night. Yvonne and her team couldn’t have been more welcoming, and their tips were very useful. On Yvonne’s advice we ate at Le Foundouk, Dar Comptoir and Café Arabe – all excellent. We also took a day trip into the Atlas Mountains organised through the riad, and had a fantastic time exploring remote villages and little-known kasbahs. We’d also recommend the in-room massages – a great way to unwind after a very early flight to Marrakech!”
  Abi, United Kingdom (29.03.12)

• “What was outstanding about this Riad was the service provided....from initial booking to final departure. Nothing was too much trouble and the help given was much appreciated. The evening meal recommendation to a nearby Fondouk was excellent....& the guidance through the maze of passageways was very reassuring.
  An outstanding, good value Riad....our only disappointment being that we stayed just the one night prior to leaving Marrakech, Its location & quality deserves a prolonged visit!”
  Robert, United Kingdom (01.02.12)

• “We had a fantastic time at the Chi Chi! Overall the Riad is very well maintained and very clean. Also the best food we had while in Marrakech , and I saw other people said this as well, was actually in the Riad. So if you plan on eating at the Riad make sure you do it at the last night so you don't ruin all your other dining experiences:)
  
  Ismah and Marsalah were great hosts and helped us in planning our entire stay. Ismah speaks great english and made all our reservations for our Hammam and our day trip to the Atlas Mountains.
  The day trip was one of the highlights. She set us up with an association that takes tourists to completely non-tourist areas. We didn't have an actual guide, but a volunteer that picked us up and took us on the adventure. We spent the day in a high-atlas village, hiking around and ate a Tagine feast with a host family. It was a very unique experience, not for the faint at heart.
  We also did an evening learning to cook tagine in the Riad. That was very fun and informative on many cultural levels.
  
  Helpful hints: Take it easy on the mint tea!! it is very stout and has digestive challenges if not taken in moderation.
  
  Plan on using a GPS or iPhone map to get around the Souks. The locals are very "friendly" to give you bad directions and lead you astray so do all you can to steer clear of taking any direction. Only ask help from women or anyone working in a store.
  
  Try to find non-Morroccan restaurants to mix your dining experience or you will be very tired of tagine and couscous by the end of your trip. Cafe Araba has good Italian.”
  Trevor, Netherlands (27.11.11)

• “The Riad Chi Chi is an excellent retreat in the heart of the old Medina of Marrakech.
  The Service is excellent, we felt more like family members than as guests.
  The rooms and the riad are very tastefully decorated, the value for money is very good.
  
  If we come back to Marrakech, we will definately be back at the Riad Chi Chi!!!”
  Jan, Germany (27.09.11)

• “The staff at Riad Chi Chi were very helpful - even offering to walk with me to restaurants etc to ensure I negotiated the maze of the medina. The food served is lovely and the whole place very calming.”
  laura, United Kingdom (01.09.11)

• “Had a wonderful stay, very relaxing and beautifully done. Good food - ate on the first night. The manager was delightful - couldn't have been more helpful and even lent us money to tip the man who carried our luggage as we had no change!! Highly recommended.”
  Claire, United Kingdom (17.08.11)

• “Although met with a transfer and porter initially, directions to and from chi chi to the square were challenging, we got lost every day!!”
  karen, United Kingdom (10.08.11)

• “The room and indeed the whole Riad was extremely clean. The toiletries provided were a delight to use. The roof terrace requires some work to be able to enjoy it properly.
  
  Café Arabe is very close to Riad Chi Chi and serves good food, a large selection of drinks and has a lovely roof terrace to relax.”
  amanda, United Kingdom (15.06.11)

• “This is such a stylish place, and a peaceful retreat from the hussle of Marrakech. The roof terrace is super with a mixture of shaded space and an area for sun. It has some really nice touches, such as the local toiletries and clever nooks in the rooms. What let it down a bit for us was the service, only when compared to other Riads we had stayed in, who were slightly more forthcoming with ideas and advice of things to do and not do. Having said that there was nothing wrong at all with the service, it's just that Marrakech can feel quite alien to those visiting.”
  Ingrid, United Kingdom (26.03.11)

• “The Riad and our room was very beautiful and traditional, very clean. We had the 'Plum' room which opens on to the courtyard which is a social, eating area for guests which means you do lose some privacy and you do hear everything. If we stayed at Riad Chi Chi again we would request a room on the upper floors. The staff were fantastic and very helpful and the food was very good especially the mint tea!
  The Riad arranged a taxi to pick us up from the airport and for a person to meet us to take us to the hotel which is recommended. The medina is a maze of alleyways and is very easy to get lost. We stayed 4 nights, you only really need a day or two to do everything as the markets at night are the star attraction and unless you can read French the museums unfortunately do not have English translations. Recommend a visit to the old palace, this was very impressive also day visits to the Atlas mountains or the coast which in hindsight we wish we did now. The local food is amazing we ate everything salads, fresh orange juice etc and had no problems.”
  nathalie, United Kingdom (01.03.11)

• “We had a fabulous time. All was brilliant, in particular the staff. Ilham and Saleh were outstanding!!!
  Peaceful oasis in the thick of the souks (bet that has been said before). Even the Imam calling to prayer at 5:30am was an enjoyment as part of the experience.
  Many thanks and I’m sure I’ll be back.
  Again, many thanks and I’m sure I’ll be using i-escape again!”
  Tim, Singapore (26.02.11)

• “Our stay at Riad Chichi was excellent, the whole Riad is spotless and the room had everything we needed, including lovely organic toiletries. The staff were welcoming, friendly and recommended places to eat and shop, they couldn't have done more for us.”
  emma, United Kingdom (26.02.11)

• “My friend and I spent 3 days/nights in Ivory room at Riad Chi Chi. The rooms look as pretty as they are in the photos. As a twin room Ivory is plenty roomy enough.
  
  The Riad is located about one minute away from the Marrakech Museum, which makes it easier to find within the winding alleys of the medina, because it is a landmark that everyone knows when you ask them. There are cafes nearby and the maze of shops/souks begins nearby too. If you wanted to walk direct to the Jema'a El Fna main square it would not take long at all although we found it took a us while because we got distracted shopping!
  The staff, Ilham and Salah, were so helpful and had a lovely manner. The staff can arrange for massages and other beauty treatments at the riad - reccommended! The soup, tagine and fruit pancake meal on the first evening was delicious. And the roof terrace is a good place to catch a few rays away from the hustle and bustle of it all.”
  Aideen, United Kingdom (19.02.11)

• “We recently visited Marrakech for three nights and stayed in the Aubergine room at Riad Chi-Chi. The room was nice and well decorated. It had a very large bathroom with a very nice shower, although it didn't drain well.
  
  Riad Chi-Chi is located about a 10 minute walk from where taxis can drop you off in the Medina. It's a 10 minute walk from Djemaa el Fna, the main square. It's in an excellent location if you want to be in the heart of the Medina. It's down a somewhat dark alley, which could make some visitors nervous at night if they're coming home late.
  
  It's near one of the largest mosques in Marrakech, so expect a 4:30 a.m. wake up.”
  John, United States (08.02.11)

• “We stayed at three Riads in Morocco, and Riad Chi-Chi was the best. Where it shone was in the service, as well as the food and the attention to detail. It made our time in Marrakech the best part of our trip to Morocco. A great, relaxed atmosphere.”
  Louis, Australia (17.01.11)

• “Everything was excellent, thank you.”
  Bora, United Kingdom (01.01.11)

• “Riad Chi Chi is beautifull place. The only difficulty is the location - took us 2 days to figure it out
  Service was excellent 10 out of 10!”
  Roksana, United Kingdom (08.12.10)

• “The people from the Riad are super-friendly! It is a peaceful paradise in the middle of the 'chaotic' medina! I really recommend. Thank you indeed for your hospitality.”
  Patricia, Portugal (04.12.10)

• “Riad Chi Chi is very similar to Riad Ariha but closer to the souks. Hospitality was great and the service was reliable - we asked at the last minute for a pick up at the bus station coming in from Essaouira and they did this for us which saved us any hassle at the station (hassle in trying to get a taxi!). Very comfortable bed. Only thing I would say is that breakfast preperation can echo through the riad from 7am i.e. cutlery and crockery getting laid out.”
  Lorraine, United Kingdom (06.11.10)

• “Wonderful, the room, the food and service was just right”
  Georgie, United Kingdom (28.10.10)

• “We had a great time at Chi Chi, the staff are a credit to the place. The Riad was so central very easy to see the medina, not so easy to know where you are ! Very easy to get lost in Marrakesh BUT thats all part of the fun.”
  Lewis, United Kingdom (13.10.10)

• “A beautifull Riad in the medina, if you dont mind getting lost then this is the place for you. After being spoilt in another Riad with a central location we found Chi-Chi a challange to get back to. But once you are there it is an oasis of beauty and tranquility.”
  Peter, United Kingdom (20.09.10)

• “Although the riad is down a dark dingy alley which is a little off putting, when inside its is lovely. The staff are wonderful and very helpful especially Rosie the "temporary" manager. The only criticism I would have is that the white wash on the walls is a bit damp and flaky which gets on your clothes.”
  Daniel, United Kingdom (31.08.10)

• “We had a great time at Riad Chi Chi, it was very calm after the mayhem of the souks. The location was great, very close to everything and they very kindly escorted us to restaurant etc. Some reviews mentioned problems with air-con, but this worked perfectly for us in the Aubergine room in the August heat. We had dinner on the roof one night which was lovely, to be recommended.”
  Nick, United Kingdom (26.08.10)

• “It was clean and great because they are small enough to care.”
  Marisa, United Kingdom (24.08.10)

• “Delightful setting, great service. A marvellous bolthole away from the madness of the Marrakech souks.”
  Vanessa, United Kingdom (19.08.10)

• “The style if the Riad was beautiful, a real retreat from the city. The bathroom products were really lovely (they should sell them!). On a negative note the aircon was useless and in August you really need aircon, it was uncomfortably hot at times. But this is a minor thing, it's a great riad and an excellent price. Lived up to expectations!
  Cafe Arabe for drinks at night is a real must, something out of a movie scene-incredibly romantic.”
  Katie, United Kingdom (09.08.10)

• “Peaceful, beautiful, lovely bathroom. Not rated 5 because the aircon in our room (Ivory) was built in to the wall above the bathroom, and was sheiled by part of the wall, so the air con didn't work as effectively as it should have done.
  
  Breakfast was delicious, clean, fresh, although everywhere we stayed breakfast was the same (bread and jam!) and we were craving fresh fruit by the time we got to Chi Chi
  Liked the calm atmosphere, being met with tea and nibbles on arrival (we were very hot and bothered!), massage in room (thanks to Ilham for sorting it so efficiently), toilettries in bathroom.”
  Georgie, United Kingdom (23.07.10)

• “We really enjoyed our stay and particularly liked the staff - the food was excellent and the level of service too. The ground floor rooms definitely lacked privacy (as warned), but my room had everything I wanted and was beautifully decorated. The riad was impossible to find, which added to the thrill of the holiday, except on the first day when we really did get hopelessly lost.”
  Philippa, United Kingdom (11.06.10)

• “An excellent location in the middle of Marrakech - short transfer from the airport and a great location for visiting the souks, museum and night market. Great rooms, excellent staff and food. Would also recommend Le Foundouk restaurant, about 5 mins walk away.”
  Andrew, United Kingdom (08.06.10)

• “This was an extremely friendly, homey hotel, white wash and tranquil away from the souks, I would definitely recommend it to anyone and we will go back! Thank you for a lovely stay.”
  Caroline, United Kingdom (24.05.10)

• “Our room was lovely as were the staff. We ate in a couple of times and the food was fresh and tasty. The issue is with the Riad itself. It's tired, in need of a clean and a paint and certainly not up to the standard of accomodation normally found with i-escape.com.”
  Sara, United Kingdom (13.12.09)