Riad Petit Karmela in Marrakech

An oasis set less than 100 yards of the busy sidestreet 5-8 mins walk from the big square. Once inside the Riad your breath will be taken away by its beautuful terraces. We were greated wth a welcome Morrocan tea to quench our thirst before being shown to our own rooms. Each room different in design but all stunning. Drinking Water in the room is replenished every day. Reception and chamber staff are so friendly. You are able to change your money to dirhams at reception were you can also book a massage which agsin was very welcome after our camel ride, again booked at reception. The limeand orange trees in the courtyard are homes to sparrows who will join you for breakfast after they have woken you with their beautuful dawn chorus. If they dont wake you then the call from the mosque a few doors away will. This again is not to be missed it is simply wonderful.
I just loved it there and will definatley go back infact i cant wait.

Very nice & friendly Riad.
5 min to the Souks.
Service is very good.
The rooms really nice and clean.
We had a really good time..
And Comeback back again!

What a stunning place to stay. The staff, the rooms, the rooftop, the location. We couldn't have picked a better spot to start our journey. Highly recommended!

This Moroccan courtyard-style building is very popular. I liked it when I booked it, and it exceeded my expectations when I saw it in person. The staff are warm and humorous, and they feel like friends. If I have the opportunity to go to Marrakech again, I will definitely stay here again! 👍👍👍

I cannot fault the fine people running the riad. They are friendly and eager to please. 5 star service, good food, rooms are clean and the vibe is great.

However my experience with the local (and official) tour guide that the riad arranged for the private city tour, was not great at all. I was just following the guide, walking around half the time in silence. Out of the 3 to 3.5 hours tour that cost me €60, we walked through Jemma el Fnaa, circled around Koutoubia Mosque, a quick stop at Bacha Cafe and visited Bahia Palace and Medrasa Ben Youssef. The guide would say some sentences about each place which I could have read (and found out more) from Wikipedia. The point of having a local guide was to gain knowledge and insights that would enrich my experience as a tourist. Well too bad for me.

I mentioned that I wanted to buy dried figs but instead was brought into an apothecary peddling argan oil, creams and so on. I willingly purchased a bottle of prickly pear oil because the one I tried seemed fine and authentic. But when I got back to the hotel, I found that mine smelled very fruity and had a clear colour unlike the yellowish oil with a nutty smell. Shame on me for not checking and trusting strangers.

I ended the tour with no tips for the guide because he was already paid by the shop. How I knew? Cos there was a handshake right in front of me when we were leaving the shop.

I did not mention my unpleasant experience to the riad as it was not their fault. I guess I was just unlucky. My advice is stick to staying or eating at the riad (which is great) and book tours on your own!

Was an awesome stay here. Staff are friendly and helpful and the riad is beautiful. Was a cozy place at a great price. I'd definitely stay here again during our next stay in Marrakech!

2nd stay in this Riad and always satisfied: everyone is very attentive, strategic location, choice of excursions... I highly recommend. For sure... I will come back! Laetitia - January 2025

I love the ambience, the decor and above all, the service that this riad has given from the moment we arrived until we checked out. The staff member that greeted us was very helpful and informative, and there were two night shift members who were incredibly helpful arranging our early breakfast (because we had to leave super early) and accompanied us to show the safest way to the square at the crack of the dawn. Even when we got lost on our way to the riad, the staff member also picked us up and helped us with our belongings. I would definitely recommend this riad to friends or family who want to make a trip to Morocco, especially Marrakech!

Affordable price, acceptable location

An exceptional experience with a friendly team, attentive and as close as possible to the needs and expectations of the customer.
Riad Karmela offers an atmosphere of complete serenity in a family spirit. We really feel at home !!
Thank you all for this short and unforgettable stay. We will come back :-)