The pair have gone big on recasting the riad as a soothing space where things feel homespun and relaxing. We were greeted by a scene-stealing tiled courtyard with green and duck-egg blue hues and spoilt further with six luxe-leaning rooms and suites - all with pillowy double beds and bathrooms decorated with traditional tadelakt plaster. While it’s too bijou for full-blown facilities, there are private yoga classes, eat-where-you-like dining, and a roof terrace with sunloungers and lofty views. Add to this thoughtful staff who'll happily assist with your every need and prices that won't eat into your spending money, you've got the perfect recipe for a boutique stay in the heart of the medina.
Highs
- A desirable Marrakech address in the centre of the medina, just a three-minute walk from Jemaa el Fna Square
- Relaxed and sociable atmosphere created by owners Alexandra and Ahmed and their lovely staff
- Just six individually styled rooms with delightful décor that mixes up classic Moroccan craftsmanship with modern design flourishes
- Masterful Moroccan cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner - all served where you like
- Great value with all the trimmings: private yoga sessions, peaceful courtyard and roof terrace with a plunge pool
Lows
- The courtyard and rooftop terrace are quite small
- Access to all but one room is via a steep staircase, so not suited to those with mobility issues
- No rooms sleep more than 3, nor do they interconnect, so it's not really geared up for families
- No TV in the rooms may niggle teenagers, but there is WiFi
- It's an old building and we experienced the occasional issue with water and power, but nothing that affected our stay
Best time to go
Our top tips
- Boutique Riad
- 6 rooms
- Breakfast + other meals on request
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Plunge Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
There are just six equally delightful rooms and suites, each with a tasteful mix of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship and simple yet soulful modern design. Expect white-washed walls, colourful accents, handmade furniture, vibrant fabrics and artworks, and comfortable French-style double beds swathed in high-quality linens and plentiful pillows. The three suites also come with their own private terraces. Bathrooms are decorated with traditional tadelakt plaster and have showers, Egyptian cotton towels and bathrobes, lounging chairs, vanities and toiletries.
All the light-flooded rooms assure ample creature comforts such as air-conditioning, heating, safes and hairdryers. There are no TVs or telephones as the owners want to keep things tech-free (that said, there is free WiFi). We stayed in one of the two Junior Suites (Saffron and Pistachio) on the second floor which offer the most living space. Each has a double bed, separated by a gauze curtain from a sitting area with a day bed (suitable for a child) and a furnished terrace; we found this to be the perfect spot for reading and gazing up at the cobalt-blue Marrakech sky.
The rest of the rooms are spread over the three floors. Olive Room is the only room on the ground floor; it opens into the communal courtyard so lacks the privacy of the rest, but makes a good choice for anyone wanting to avoid the steep riad stairs. Green Tea Deluxe Studio has a narrow layout but we liked the small private terrace outside.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bathrobes
- Central heating
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
The riad has a relaxed eat-where-you-like (and when-you-like) dining policy so meals can be enjoyed in your room, in the courtyard, or on the roof terrace - just give the team a little notice. There’s a huge emphasis on homecooked dishes, all of which are made with locally-sourced fresh ingredients and flavoured with aromatic spices from the souks. Breakfast is a hearty affair of pressed orange juice, fresh fruit, bread, eggs, pancakes, buttery rotis, overnight oats with creamy yoghurt and a choice of mint tea or excellent coffee.
Return later for simple lunches and dinners, with set dishes that focus on couscous creations, tagines and oriental salads. We didn't have much choice in our dinner, a classic chicken tagine, but it was delicious nonetheless. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks are also available, and gluten-free, lactose-free and vegetarian meals can be arranged; just ask the staff. For your nightcap, head to the lounge area on the roof terrace.
If you fancy a change of scene, they also run a cafe restaurant, Cafe Munich, a short walk from the riad. It's the first in the Medina to have a kids' play area, making it ideal for hungry families.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Dinner by arrangement
- Kids' meals
- Lunch by arrangement
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Haggle your heart out in the souks (only 50m away!) and save space in your suitcase for spices, woven carpets, handmade Berber rugs, leather goods, silver jewellery and all manner of trinkets
- Embrace the chaos of nearby Jemaa el Fna Square, the city’s dazzling centrepiece with a constant stream of fire eaters, snake charmers, jugglers, acrobats, musicians and dancers
- Visit Maison de la Photographie for its eyebrow-arching collection of photos, glass negatives and documents dating from the 1870s to the 1950s. Also spend time at Musée Yves St Laurent, making a beeline for the designer’s studio with its original décor, sketches and swatches
- Owners Alexandra and Ahmed will happily advise on the best sightseeing spots in Marrakech; they can arrange a well-curated selection of activities and tours, near & far, long or short - just ask
- Back at the riad, take a yoga class on the rooftop terrace. Later, ask staff to book you in at the nearby hammam to enjoy a steamy bathing ritual with black soap and a liberal slathering of mud
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Museums / galleries
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Well being
- Yoga
Kids
Kids of all ages are welcome at Riad 11 Zitoune, though most rooms can only take a baby cot, and there isn’t a huge amount here to keep little ones occupied. However, being just a five-minute walk from the pram-accessible Jemaa el Fna Square is a real plus. The riad offers kids' menus, while baby cots and extra beds can be arranged on request. There are also iPads for guest use, and free WiFi everywhere.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The two Junior Suites (Saffron and Pistachio) located on the second floor work for families of 3 (note these are accessed by steep stairs). Both have a double bed separated from the rest of the room by a curtain, a single day bed for a child, and a private furnished terrace. Alternatively, the Green Tea Deluxe Studio and the Ginger Suite can each fit an extra bed or baby cot on request.
Children's meals:
Kid-friendly meals like chicken nuggets and spaghetti bolognese are available
Families Should Know:
There are steep steps in the riad so keep an eye on toddlers.
Distances:
- Airport: 20-minute drive
- Hospital: 10-minute drive
- Supermarket: 5-minute walk
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Riad 11 Zitoune is on Derb Lakhdar in Marrakech's medina. It's a five-minute walk south of Jemaa el Fna Square.
By Air:
Fly into Marrakech Menara (6km), which is served by international and budget airlines.
From the Airport
The riad can arrange an airport transfer (20 mins), or you can take a taxi to Riad Mokha where you’ll be met by the riad guard (it’s a five-minute walk from here).
By Car:
If you want to hire a car (for your travels outside Marrakech), see our car rental recommendations. Note you can't bring cars into the medina.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Marrakech Menara 6.0 km
Other:
- Beach 170.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km