MOROCCO

Riad Itry

Don’t believe everything you read on Trip Advisor. I would not recommend this place. I had a single room with a shared bathroom. No breakfast included. The staff was friendly and arranged an airport pick-up, which was really good, especially since the old city of Marrakech, or the old “Medina” can be confusing and you can get lost easily. The bathroom wasn’t clean and there was no hot water. I slept inside my sheet sleeping-bag because the place didn’t feel clean. There was no heating or AC so in the winter it’s really cold. It has a rooftop terrace but without a view. Staff speaks French and a few words of English.

I paid: €15.00  / $18.39  a night

Hotel Riad Rahba

Again, don’t believe everything on Trip Advisor. I cannot recommend this place either. I had a double bed with no sheets but a private bathroom. No AC or heating. It’s located in the center of the old Medina and near the main square, very basic and for what you’re paying you can get better. It has a rooftop terrace. The staff was friendly and helpful. Staff speaks French and a little English.

I paid: €16.00 / $19.61  a night

Hotel Riad Essaouira

I had a nice clean room with a private bathroom and there was AC/heating. It’s in the center of the old Medina and a little hard to find. The staff wasn’t very helpful. I asked if they could pick me up at the square because I knew by then how lost you can get in Marrakech, but they didn’t feel the need…The breakfast was very stingy, I had to ask for more. If you’ve gotten used to what a breakfast should look like, this one was definitely under par. But the room was really nice and the hotel bright, so I can recommend this place for all sorts of travelers. It has a rooftop terrace. Staff speaks French and basic English.

I paid : €22.06  / $27.26  a night

Emeraude Essaouira

A cozy place in the old Medina near the center but on a quiet side street. I had a nice single room, it just smelt a little moldy and the shower was a little moldy, too. I had a problem with my toilet being broken and they moved me to another room that didn’t smell moldy. A wholesome breakfast is included in the price. It has a rooftop terrace. Helpful staff that speak French and basic English.

I paid: €22.06  / $27.26  a night

Riad Inspira

In the middle of the old Medina of Meknes. It’s a little hard to find but the rooms are really cozy, big, and clean. Just like in all old hotels a lot of stairs to climb. They provided a small electric heater that was unfortunately not enough to heat the room. So if it’s winter, it’s going to be cold. It’s clean and the rooms are cleaned every day. Breakfast is basic but sufficient. The staff is really nice and helpful, the hotel manager helped me find two of my stories in Meknes! She speaks French and English perfectly! It has a rooftop terrace. I enjoyed my stay here!

Info: Arrive in the day, otherwise you might get lost at night in the old streets like I did!

I paid: €26.02  / $31.30  a night

Dar Sondos

I had two beds in my room and a private bathroom. But this place isn’t really up to par. The shower was moldy and I had to ask the staff to exchange the hose because it was so old and hardly worked. The whole room smelt like mold. But they had an AC so at least it wasn’t freezing. Still, I had to wear two pairs of socks at night. Breakfast is served no earlier than 8:00 am but it was more like 8:30 am, which I found annoying if you have a day planned. The place is owned by a foreigner who doesn’t live in town. Instead, it’s run by a local middle-man who is very nice but just doesn’t have an eye for detail or cleanliness.

Still, you can stay here, it was okay. The place is in the old Medina, so call before you arrive and someone will pick you up and help you through the old streets.

I paid: €28.53  / $35.24  a night

Dar Zara

Mohammed became one of the stars of “Eating with Africa”, Morocco. It’s worth staying here just to get the experience of real Moroccan hospitality. The rooms are all clean and new, although heating on cold days can be a bit of a problem as he only has a small portable electric heater. But Mohammed goes out of his way to make you feel at home and ensure you have everything. You have a beautiful view and you’re in a village with only 40 people. You’ll get a yummy pancake breakfast (breakfast is not included in the price) and lunch and dinner, if you want, in his little restaurant with one table where he cooks personally.

You need a car to get there or a shared taxi. But it’s worth it! Good for anyone interested in something different and good.

I paid: €17.70  / $21.71  a night

Dar Ilyana

Here, I found my next star for “Eating with Africa”, her name is Rajae  she is the cousin of the owner and her job was to help him talk to his guests in English. I booked a double room but they gave me a bigger one for the same price. It had a shared bathroom but I was the only guest there, so it didn’t matter. Everything was clean and they had AC with a heater. The village is not touristic but you have restaurants around. You can also eat in the hotel. Breakfast is included. This is a good place to stay when you’re passing through and if you don’t want to be staying in Zagora with the rest of the tourists.

I paid: €17.71  / $21.71 a night

SunDesk

If you’re looking for a place to work in a good atmosphere, this is it. Breakfast is included, the rooms are cleaned everyday and there’s an office with fast internet and sea view. You can work in peace on the rooftop or in the shared office space. I had a double bed with a shared bathroom in an apartment, with our own kitchen and roof terrace. The crew is really nice and helpful. If you want, they’ll organize activities for you, like surfing lessons. A lot of freelancers come here for the surf/work experience.

The town Taghazout is not that spectacular and the people can be annoying, always wanting to sell you something, but there are a lot of restaurants: some cheap and a few healthy and one or two high quality ones. This place is good for solo travelers wanting to work and meet people, as well as for couples. If you want, they’ll organize you a taxi pick-up from Agadir (around €15 / $18)

I paid: €22.00  / $27.18  a night