Riad Al Wafaa in Marrakech

Based on my experience at other riads in the same price range, I don't feel comfortable sharing the rave reviews I've read. Let's start with the positives: the riad is well-located, right next to the walls of the Bahia Palace and about a kilometer from Jamal el-Fnaa Square. The property has a tiny internal courtyard; the upper floors are accessed via a staircase made of small terracotta bricks. These tiles themselves collect dust and could use a good cleaning, as well as some loose parts. On the second floor, there's a small terrace, pleasant but not usable in the colder months. The rooms are narrow and long, as I've noticed in other riads. They don't have the gleaming appearance depicted in the photos; everything is a bit dated and could use a general refresh. In particular, the double bed in the deluxe double room was less than 20 cm from the side walls; on my side, there was no countertop (it wouldn't fit!), forcing me to place my glasses, phone, and other items on the floor. As I said, it sometimes happens in riads, but for me it's an inconvenience. The mattress was showing its age, sagging a bit in the middle (and I only weigh 60 kg). I read that some people found breakfast rich and plentiful. I disagree. Maybe it's low season, but I'd give breakfast just a passing grade. Should I add a yogurt? A piece of fruit? I'm not asking for an omelet or a hard-boiled egg instead of the three cheeses that made up the savory portion... In theory, breakfast could be served from 8 to 9:30; in our case (we stayed in January), at 8 the courtyard was still completely dark, and even though we'd agreed on a time, the kitchen didn't start working until 8:30. Since we were leaving before 8 for excursions, we asked if we could have breakfast to go; Two tiny crepes and a msemen (a thin semolina pancake that's inedible when cold) deterred us from ordering takeout breakfast for our other excursions. In short, the riad could use a makeover and a bit of attention to the service. My opinion is that for the same price, you can find better.