The Medina would be the best area to stay in Marrakech.

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Hi,

If you let us know which Riads you are considering and what areas they are located in maybe people can offer opinions?

Would suggest the area around the major sites such as Badi Palace, Bahia Palace and Saadian Tombs...it is a nice area, accessible, central, and there are lot's of restaurants and some mini-souks right around the Place des Ferblantiers...Kosybar, Le Tanjia, and the many lunch places on the Place itself.

This area encompasses several neighborhoods including Berima, the Kasbah, and Riad Zitoun...

ok, i have narrowed down my search to the following which have availability.

which say they are in the medina area.

Ryads Naoura Barriere

Riad Nafis

Palais Calipau

Les Jardins de la Koutoubia

and Mosaic Palais and spa - Palm groves

They all look pretty nice, but we want to be able to walk out of the riad and be pretty close to some nice local restaurants / bars and somewhere with some atmosphere rather than being in a quiter residential area.

Can anyone offer an advice on which of the above may be more suited area wise.

Before I look up the first three on your list you can discount the last two. Les Jardins de la Koutoubia is not a riad but a fairly large hotel. Nice, and centrally located in the medina but as I say not a riad.The Mosaic Palais and spa - Palm groves - is nowhere near the medina and therefore nowhere near restaurants and attractions.

Ryads Naoura Barriere, another hotel, good area though.

Riad Nafis - the only authentic riad on your list, also in a good area.

Palais Calipau is another hotel but situated in one of the best quartiers in the medina in my opinion.

Naoura Barriere is also not a riad - it is a luxury hotel. Well placed if you want to be close to bars and restaurants though as it is on the main road right mid point between the Old and New Town.

To be honest, if you want to be near the better restaurants and bars then you are better off staying in a hotel in Hivernage or Gueliz rather than a riad in the Medina.

Thanks for the replies. I shall have another look at the two areas suggested. It is so hard to choose a place when you have no knowledge of the area. Thanks for your input it is much appreciated.

Gueliz and Hivernage is the New Town - with the best range of restaurants, bars and clubs of Marrakech.

the Medina is the Old Town (this is where all the traditional riads are located) - best for the tourist sites and cultural experience, there are some decent restaurants as well but very few bars.

It is only a 5/10 minute taxi ride between the Old and New Town.