Dar Rania

“Delightful”

Dar Rania is a delightful, tranquil four bedroomed riad situated in Derb el Kadi - best found by walking west from Place Ben Salah along Derb Sidi Ishak - the Derbs are far too narrow to drive down! The riad is just as beautiful as shown on its web site and is kept spotlessly clean. Although the... more

Dar Rania is a delightful, tranquil four bedroomed riad situated in Derb el Kadi - best found by walking west from Place Ben Salah along Derb Sidi Ishak - the Derbs are far too narrow to drive down! The riad is just as beautiful as shown on its web site and is kept spotlessly clean. Although the riad has a kitchen, the expectation is that it's used by the housekeeper to prepare breakfast (and anything else you may need). The housekeeper was absolutely perfect and is a good cook should you wish her to prepare an evening meal. However, knowledge of basic French would be useful as she doesn't speak English. Place Jemma El-fna is approx 15 minutes walk from Dar Rania and the walk is an amazing experience if you've not been to Marrakech before. You'll have to dodge mopeds, men pushing hand carts and locals trying to direct you. The accommodation is fine for all ages but the relatively difficult access would not make it suitable for families with young children or anyone with restricted mobility. Would definately go again.

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“An enjoyable life experience, worth it.”

Thank you Sanah and Hyatt. A sanctuary from the 'full on' pace, sounds and smells of Marrakesh. The rooms were clean and tidy. Breakfast was nice and filling. The showers were hand help only and the hot water was sporadic but in 40 degree+ heat a cold shower was very welcome. There are padlocks f... more

Thank you Sanah and Hyatt. A sanctuary from the 'full on' pace, sounds and smells of Marrakesh. The rooms were clean and tidy. Breakfast was nice and filling. The showers were hand help only and the hot water was sporadic but in 40 degree+ heat a cold shower was very welcome. There are padlocks for the bolts on the room doors but they have not been used for a long time. Steve (Birthday Boy) arranged a taxi for us from the airport (Pricey at 40 euros, yep they take them) but once we had gone as far as possible in a car the driver did walk us to the door. We know now that he took us around the houses a bit but we'd have never made it otherwise. The return journey was 150 DH. Without Hyatt (an English speaking rep for a number of Riads) showing us the way to the main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa, we'd have been completely lost in the hustle and bustle of the Marrakesh Souks. When you leave the Riad do not turn left, down there trouble be,.....not sure what exactly as we did as we were told, the locals were always trying to send us either back to "Big Square" or the Tannery (which seemed to have a auction every day). When we said we were going to our Riad they wished us look. Interesting!. It's a 10-15 minute exhaust fueled single file walk to Jemaa el-Fnaa. If you fancy cooling off with a tour of the Tombs, don't. They're above ground. We recommend the two hour carriage tour, very entertaining. Cars, mopeds, carriages, carts and pedestrians - the one who has right of way is simply the one that is moving. No other rules seam to apply. Amazingly, we never witnessed an accident. The Grand Hotel Tazi at the end of Rue Bab Agnaou not far from Jemaa el-Fnaa sells beer and wine with no assumption that you will eat there. Restaurants in Jemaa el-Fnaa provide a good vantage point for all evening entertainment. A sight to behold. Cobras can't strike upwards and Monkeys smell.

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“basic but comfortable”

We stayed for 4 nights in this Road, and slept very well. The riad is a lovely escape from the frenetic environment of the Medina and souks, and the rooms were clean and the beds comfortable. The hot water is, as reported by everyone, sporadic, but you soon learn to shower quickly! Our host s... more

We stayed for 4 nights in this Road, and slept very well. The riad is a lovely escape from the frenetic environment of the Medina and souks, and the rooms were clean and the beds comfortable. The hot water is, as reported by everyone, sporadic, but you soon learn to shower quickly! Our host spoke no English, and so we dragged out the best school french we could to get the basic conversations across. For us, the only main problem was that no one was at the riad during the day time, and only occasionally in the evening (if other guests were having dinner there). This meant that because we ordered breakfast for 9on the first morning, that was what time it was given for the rest of the stay - which would have been fine if we weren't going on an excursion one day and needed it earlier. Because no one was there to say otherwise, we got cold breakfast one day when were were up late, and no breakfast one day when we needed to be out by 8. But then you can always pick something up on the little stalls in the streets. She did go out of her way on our first evening to show us the way to Jamar El'Fna so that we didn't get lost, which was kind. From then on though, we were on our own! She did however provide us with a little heater on day 2 as the rooms stay so cool - but in February cool turns to cold! Lovely stay though, simple, clean and good for the price.

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“A quiet oasis in a manic city”

Marrakech is a complete assault on your senses and Dar Rania provides a tranquil escape from this. Lativa is very friendly and provides a good breakfast but as previously reported speaks no English so it is advisable to brush up your French. The room was clean and comfortable but the air condi... more

Marrakech is a complete assault on your senses and Dar Rania provides a tranquil escape from this. Lativa is very friendly and provides a good breakfast but as previously reported speaks no English so it is advisable to brush up your French. The room was clean and comfortable but the air conditioning didn't work and there was no hot water for two days. Dar Rania is only a ten minute walk away from the Square (although a rather hectic journey) and so is ideal for getting around. We chose to get a 24 hour ticket on the tourist bus which you can hop on and off as often as you like. It provides a commentary so all places of interest are pointed out should you wish to visit. We ate at the night market on one occasion and this proved to be the most expensive meal we had. You can eat cheaply at most places although they do not serve alcohol. There are a couple of restaurants that do but these are incredibly expensive. Apparently you can get beer and wine at the Tazi Hotel but I cannot comment on this as we didn't go there. Can recommend Le Premices in the square for a good meal and view from the balcony. Also the one (can't remember the name) opposite the tombs where you can watch the storks in their nest - portions here are enormous. For a more laid back snack or meal try Chez Chegrouni (also in the square) - waiter gives you a piece of paper to write your order on and it returns later as your bill! Do visit the Majorelle Gardens if you get the chance. Bad points - roof terrace at the Riad is not a very nice place to sit; there is not a 24 hour reception as in the description nor is there anyone to help with any travel arrangements as described. Good points - quiet yet convenient location, clean, pretty and friendly riad.

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