Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
We are a historic 18th century riad set in the Mouassine district at the very centre of the Medina - the old city - actually in the famous souks. Perfect riad for exploring the city & for experiencing local life. We can meet & greet you at the airport to give you a hassle-free arrival. We welcome you at the riad with Moroccan Mint Tea, then give an initial briefing on enjoying, getting the absolute maximum out of your visit. We will talk to you for as long or as little as you wish talking about best places to visit, how to stay save, scams to look out for, how to negotiate. Most guests chat to us daily about what to do, how to reach places, restaurants to visit (we take no commission). You will find us a fund of information to hit the streets running and thoroughly enjoy our beautiful exotic City. To cap it all we have excellent Moroccan Cuisine with four of the best Moroccan cuisine cooks in the Old City.
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Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Riad El Zohar enjoys acclaim for its blend of traditional Moroccan charm and modern comforts, with the tranquil roof terrace and refreshing pool standing out among amenities. Nestled in the Medina, the location is celebrated for tranquility amidst the city's heart.
The riad's cleanliness and well-appointed rooms earn high marks, as does the warm hospitality of the staff. Guests appreciate the excellent value, with the beautiful decor and serene atmosphere providing a memorable stay for many.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Traditional
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Affordable
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Relaxing
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We have just returned from our first visit to Marrakesh for my 60th birthday and what an unforgettable experience! Riad El Zohar was a perfect place to stay. You are inside the Medina, just a short walk from the bustle of the souks and yet, inside the front door, is an oasis of calm and security. The hospitality and service we received from Alan and his wonderful team was exceptional… there was always someone on hand to open the door, give hints and tips or serve tea. Alan is incredibly knowledgable, interesting and great company… we learnt a lot. And I will never forget being sung happy birthday in Darija (the local language). As an experience it was more like staying in a beautiful home than a hotel and a unique way of experiencing Marrakesh. In terms of facilities, the rooms were really clean, comfortable, well-equipped and furnished in traditional style and there are various inside and outdoor spaces to sit and relax with other guests. The small pool and roof terrace were a bonus. The cooking (dinner by arrangement) is superb, everything is home-made and we highly recommend the cookery class… which started with a visit to the market and ended with a delicious tagine dinner. All in all, staying at Riad El Zohar made our trip to Marrakesh really special, we would love to return.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Go there!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Allan Crump, Owner at Riad El Zohar
Responded Feb 24, 2024
You were a great group who immersed totally in the experience of Marrakech. Easy to chat to too which is a big bonus for us. You are spot on , it is a home to our guests for their stay, We have been a home for 600 years, grouped round the central court yard, looking inwards and shutting out the outside world. Do please return one day, we'd love to see you.
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I cannot say enough good things about Riad El Zohar! My friend and I took a trip (from the USA) to Europe for another friend's wedding. While in Europe, we caught a quick flight down to Marrakech for a couple of days. I had booked Riad El Zohar online, and it was absolutely perfect. The entire riad is warm, inviting, and absolutely gorgeous. Every room is unique and pure luxury. The riad remains locked at all times, with entrance allowed only by ringing the bell. So we felt very safe and secure. The riad is located in the heart of the old town, and all major sites are easily walkable. (I recommend booking the riad's airport pickup/dropoff since finding the riad can be a bit tricky given its excellent location in the heart of old town.) Allan and his staff were absolutely amazing, even before we arrived in Morocco. We were always offered tea (or coffee), and breakfast was bountiful and delicious. Since there were few visitors to the riad during our stay (we arrived just after the earthquake), we took our meals outside of the riad. But on my next stay at Riad El Zohar, I look forward to dining at "home."
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Book the airport pickup/dropoff with the riad. It can be tricky to find since it's located in the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Allan Crump, Owner at Riad El Zohar
Responded Oct 19, 2023
'One of my Best Hotel Stays Ever' Such praise, thank you. I told the team and you shoud have seen their delight. We are very lucky to have such a tem that do get real pleasure from seeing our guests enjoying themselves. Thank you for visiting such a short time after our first, and I hope last, earthquake. You showed faith in the people and the country and that was greatly appreciated here. Thank s again
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We embarked on a journey to Marrakech with a heartfelt mission: to make our 84-year-old grandmother's dream come true. Opting to stay at Riad El Zohar turned out to be the pinnacle of our travel choices. Words fall short in capturing the unparalleled kindness, generosity, warmth, and affection with which we were embraced right from the very beginning.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted with refreshing cold water and a tantalizing cup of mint tea—a delightful ritual that continued to grace our three-day stay at the riad. Allan, the proprietor and guiding light of the remarkable riad team, exudes an irresistible charm. His affability, humor, and unwavering dedication to curating an exceptional experience added an extra layer of magic to our trip. His invaluable insights shared via email ahead of our visit played a pivotal role in shaping our brief but impactful sojourn in Marrakech. His continuous support throughout our stay made us feel not just like guests, but truly welcomed members of this extraordinary city.
Morad and Erradi took the art of hospitality to new heights, serving us breakfasts that linger in our memories as the most delectable we've ever savored. Each morning, their offerings were an exquisite blend of variety and delicate presentation. Their interactions with our grandmother were characterized by tenderness and remarkable patience, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts.
The unsung heroes, Nadia, Fouzia, Kadhija, Bahija, and Malika, orchestrated culinary and housekeeping excellence behind the scenes. Their meticulous work seamlessly enhanced our experience, ensuring that the riad's kitchen and rooms were harmonious havens of comfort and luxury.
The premises themselves are like something out of a dream. With every step, you're transported into a scene from a captivating movie. The rooms—immaculately clean and luxuriously appointed—offer a haven of tranquility. The pool provides a refreshing sanctuary from the afternoon sun, while the serene terrace invites you to unwind after days brimming with exploration.
Already, a yearning to return grips me. And return I shall, for this enchanting experience has left an indelible mark. Without a doubt, if you're contemplating a reservation, I wholeheartedly encourage you to indulge yourself and embark on a journey of pampering and delight at Riad El Zohar.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Superb location once you're acquainted with the Medina: seek guidance to the Riad before your...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Allan Crump, Owner at Riad El Zohar
Responded Aug 28, 2023
What a wonderful report, full of kind words; thank you I am going to do two things. Translate it into Darja (Moroccan) and pin to the notice board in the kitchen for the staff to read. Als pin this to the top of our TripAdvisor reports! I am delighted that your grandmother had her dream generously brought to life by two of her grandchildren and had a great adventure. You two must be happy. I canno believe grandma is older than me but had twice a much energy! You will be welcome through our door anytime, it will always be open to you with a big welcoming smile behind it
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We stayed for a night in March during very unusual rainy weather. It was a great experience and Alan and his team couldn’t have been more helpful. He recommended and booked restaurants for us in the Medina and even walked us round to the door. It’s a typical Riad with a plunge pool in the middle. Rooms were spacious and comfortable and staff were always around to help. Showers were warm and he provided local products for the bathrooms etc. Robes were provided too. Breakfast was plentiful and fresh served up with the famous Moroccan mint tea and fresh juice. Above everything, the friendliness and service was excellent right in the heart of the Souks, Alan gives great suggestions and advice for do listen. Hotel could be hard to find to the uninitiated so, as Alan suggests, use a cart boy to guide the way.
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Use the cart boys to lead the way. Listen to Alan’s recommendations, he knows his stuff.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Allan Crump, Owner at Riad El Zohar
Responded May 6, 2024
Firstly, thank you for bringing us some of your rain, we really appreciated that, it is such a rare event and we need it so much! Please return. I relayed your kind words to our great team so thank you. They do appreciate a little praise, don't we all.
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Riad El Zohar was originally highly recommended by a colleague that stayed there unexpectedly in February 2023 when his original reservation elsewhere was overbooked. He couldn't say enough great things about it and so I booked there for my July 2024 stay in Marrakech, which was now after the September 2023 6.8 earthquake that badly damaged many buildings in the Medina, and destroyed some completely. For this reason there was still some repair work and construction in the works for just after our stay - all which require government approval before being commenced - this accounted for some doors/fittings not quite closing as they should. This also was understandable due to the rich 600+ year history of this traditional riad. It is historic, warm and comfortable - everything you want if you are looking for a traditional stay with all of the character that goes along with it - including an incredible staff and wonderful owners that will all look after your every need. If you are looking for a plush, updated/refurbished building calling itself a riad outside of an old Medina, this is not the place you are looking for. We had the opportunity to stay at those in a couple of other cities, and while they were lovely, it was staying at a hotel, not a riad. The amenities include a plunge pool on the first level - that will definitely cool you off on hot Moroccan summer days/nights. There is a terrace on the top level with both shaded and unshaded seating areas. I highly recommend a stay!! Please note - this is a 600+ year old riad - for that reason the stairwells and steps are irregular in heights - so if this is a concern for you personally, I did want to make a note of it so you were not surprised. Thar being said, members of our group had knee issues and were able to navigate it.
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It's not always that the accommodation you book for your vacation lives up to your expectation. In El Zohar's case it went way beyond ours. My wife Mary and I were taken by pre-arranged taxi from Marrakech Menara Airport and brought to the walls of the medina where a porter with a hand cart brought our luggage to El Zohar. Here we were met by Erradi, invited in and introduced to Allan the owner. We had our first mint tea and talked with Allan who told us all about the history of the riad and that when we were ready he would walk around the area and show us how not to get lost....well most of the time, you will get lost but never for too long. He had a wonderful way of creating landmarks for you "Pringle Corner" "Three Steps" etc. Our room at El Zohar was named Ourika and overlooking the pool. It was tastefully decorated respecting all the original features. It was also a great place to return to during the day to escape the hustle and bustle of what is Marrakech. If food is what you are looking for then go no further than El Zohar. The wonderful ladies in the kitchen serve up sublime food and can be had by the pool, the roof and the salon...try it at least once. Day trips can be arranged also. We went to the Atlas Mountains with our own driver Anil and it was a unique and wonderful day, Thank you again Anil. Everyone says after a great holiday "we'll be back!" Will we return? I think it is already written in the stars. Thank you again Allan and all at El Zohar.
Peter & Mary
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Allan Crump, Owner at Riad El Zohar
Responded Oct 17, 2024
You were amazing, in so much as you had done so much prior research covering Morocco and Maarrakech in particular. You were able to get so much more out out of your visit. It was a pleasure to host such a couple. You wil be more than welcome any time to enter our portals. I do hope that Marrakech is not receding too much in the rear view mirror as memoris tend to once back in harness. Allan
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This was a return visit to this amazing Riad. As usual it was welcoming, comfortable, friendly and full of useful information on the city. With a prepared meal on the day of arrival it makes for a relaxed start. You can buy wine at the Riad if you wish but mint tea and coffee are also available for free. The rooms are all comfortable (I have slept in all but one now!) and there is constant hot water for showers and washing. The roof terrace provides a restful and cool place to read of chill out but if you want out then the central position of the Riad in the medina makes it ideal for reaching all the main attractions on foot. There are also plenty of good quality restaurants within a few minutes walk. Very affordable too with staff who have been there many years. Brilliant. I'm planning another trip already.
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
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Location
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Service
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Only five rooms. Book early :-)
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My second visit to this very special haven in the heart of the Medina and…it certainly did not disappoint. This time with a group of friends and we had the riad in its exclusivity. It truly felt like home from home. From the moment you step off the street in to this serene and quiet space, you are treated like long lost friends. The food was amazing and the rooms were beautifully made as if by magic. Allan and his team of amazing people looked after us royally, from the tea pouring, to the food, to the spotless and heavenly scented rooms and common spaces. I could not think of anywhere better to stay and cannot recommend Riad El Zohar enough. I will definitely be back
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Date of stay: February 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Allan Crump, Owner at Riad El Zohar
Responded Aug 28, 2023
Thank you so much for this lovely review Penille. I missed this, and a bunch of others, when TripAdvisor stopped mailing us when we had 5star reviews. Apologies. You had a great, lively group visit, and that made our life easy and fun. Having lived in your neck of the woods for ten happy years it was particularly fun for me. Marrakech is improving all the time, so lease come back and see us in a year or two.
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I had high expectations for our stay at El Zohar, however these were all exceeded plus more. Allan and his staff welcomed us into the riad and made us feel at home. Nothing was too much bother for them. We were a large group of friends celebrating a birthday. Allan organised the entertainment of a band and belly dancer (who were all brilliant) and his team made us an excellent meal, better than you could ever get in any restaurant. The whole of the riad has traditional Morrocan decor and you feel like you have your own little paradise for your stay. The rooms are beautiful and functional, the roof terrace has stunning views over the city and places to chill out and relax. The pool was so welcome on the hot days and nights. I cannot speak highly enough of how we were looked after by Allans team. Snacks and drinks available at all hours, and the cooks there take pleasure in making the best food you will ever eat. Just make sure you are hungry as you will not want to miss out on anything! Thank you Allan and your team you are all amazing and it was a peasure to meet and stay with you, we will be back.
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Date of stay: October 2024
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Location
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Just go and enjoy yourself at El Zohar, it is the best riad to stay in Marrakech.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Allan Crump, Owner at Riad El Zohar
Responded Oct 13, 2024
Your Group was good fun an the musical evening was super. The Gnaoa musicians obviously enjoyed it too since theey returned after a break and played loger than they'd agreed to a succesful visit and good to have a Birthday celebration!
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This is a beautiful riad and a perfect location in the heart of Marrakech. A few seconds walk and you are out of the quiet street and into the pulsating streets of this city. We were welcomed by Morad and Allan at about 2130hrs and Morad then served us a 5 course Moroccon meal which was great. Morad was such a nice gent and a credit to the riad. Owner Allan is a man of great charm and charisma and has fantastic knowledge of the city and is always on hand to give advice and chat to. We really enjoyed his company and his presence undoubtedly accentuated our time there. Our room was traditionally furnished and very atmospheric and we enjoyed its ambience. The whole riad was exquisite and fascinating to walk around and an obvious labour of love for Allan. The roof terrace had cosy seating areas and sunbeds and nice views over the city. I wouldn't hesitate in returning to this riad if I return to Marrakech. It is a beautiful place to stay. Thanks to Allan and his team from Peter and Kelly.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Allan Crump, Owner at Riad El Zohar
Responded Apr 2, 2024
You will be very welcome if you do return to Marrakech, doubly so if you give us such glowing reports :-) The entire team enjoy interacting with our guests and I think it shows, It is fun and makes their work worthwhile. I agree with you, Morad is a gent and a gem and a workerand there are very few of those in Marrakech. Thank you for your kind words, greatly appreciated.
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There are more places to choose from in the Marrakech area.
PRICE RANGE
C$161 - C$197 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
riad el zohar hotel marrakech
LOCATION
MoroccoMarrakech-SafiMarrakech
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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