We arrived late at night to the madness that is the famous marrakesh square Jemaa el Fna. A man put our luggage in a cart and we started the 15-25 min walk to the riad (only 25 mins as we had a baby in a pram and a elderly grandma with a walking stick.) taking in the sights along the way. This at first can seem quite daughting as there is alot to take in and the narrow winding alleyways seem to go on forever and we thought we would never find it again. We finally arrived down an alley way to a lovely carved door. The housekeeper Khadija welcomed us with some mint tea and gave us a much needed map and telephone numbers should we get lost. The Riad was beautiful, the decoration far exceeded my expectations and the staff were extremely helpful. Our rooms were lovely at warm (khadija has put gas fires in each of the rooms as the weather at night is cold at this time of year). Breakfast was delicious every morning. Pankakes, tea, coffee, pasteries, breads, jams, yogurts all delicious. We had the whole riad to ourselves as there were no other guests booked in so it was lovely and quiet. Navigating the medina isn't too bad once you get used to it and if you do get lost local teenagers are always on had to show you the way for a small price but haggle first! We were travelling with a 9 month old baby and everything was so easy we had the use of the kitchen to prepare his food and sterilize bottles etc. The pool had even been put on to heat so we could use it with the baby as normally it isnt heated at this time of year. Anything you asked was not a problem and the staff went out of their way to help. Especially as my mam, gran and I went out one night to a fantasia evening but it didn't drop you off back at the main square until midnight and we didn't like the thought of 3 women walking through the medina so late at night when everything was closed so the man from the riad came to meet us and escort us back. Before going I contacted the owner Michel and he was brilliant too and even telephoned my house to see if there was any other information I wanted. We had a meal in the riad one night and it was beautiful well worth 15 euros per person. The downstairs rooms are most suitable for anyone with walking difficulties as the stairs were spiral staircases and quite steep but my gran managed it and she has a walking stick so we could sit on the roof terrace which was lovely and hot through the day. With a baby I dont think it would matter which room as you could leave the pram in the courtyard and everything you leave anywhere is very safe and secure. When we asked if there was a hi chair, before we arrived, there wasn't but they purchased one so there was one when we got there. Great attention to detail and staff very attentive. We enjoyed everything about our holiday and wil definately return to Riad zineb one day in the future.

I have just returned from a short break in Riad Zineb, an oasis of calm and beauty in a very vibrant bustling city. The courtyard provides a very welcoming, cool and tranquil space, as do the rooftop terraces, after a day spent wandering the square, souks and alleys. We (six friends) had rented the entire Riad for ourselves but even if sharing with others there are sufficient places to relax in relative privacy. I managed to dip only my toes in the courtyard swimming pool - a very cooling experience. A post sightseeing G&T on the rooftop terrace took priority over swimming! The bedrooms are decorated in Morrocan style and the whole place is stunning,featuring mosiac tiles, cedar wood, The staff could not have been more discreet or helpful, providing a typical Morrocan meal on our first night, arranging taxis from/to the airport. The accommodation is immaculately kept and nothing was too much trouble for the staff or the owner. The only small downside is that the Riad is situated in the very old part of the city. To reach the Medina, restaurants, cafes etc you have a walk of around 20-25 minutes through very narrow alleyways heaving with people selling a huge variety of wares. There are mopeds, bicycles, cars, carts drawn by donkeys, horse drawn kaleches sharing the space too. The upside of course was that I saw a side of real life that I would have missed had I been staying in a more central, "sanitised" part of the city. If you arrive in the evening, to reach the Riad, you also have a walk of about 20-25 minutes after being dropped off by your taxi. However your luggage is taken to the Riad in a cart, by a very attentive guide who often stopped to wait for those of us who trailed behind. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Riad Zineb to my friends. If you're looking for a real Marrakech experience - this is it.

We struggled a bit to find the place when we arrived at night - our taxi dropped us off outside the medina and a man put our luggage in a cart to bring us to the hotel, he didn't know where the hotel was so we stood gaping at Saturday night in the main square. This was, to say the least, an exciting introduction to Marrakesh. We also weren't informed in advance that the taxi should have been paid through the hotel and so we got a little ripped off by the taxi driver.
Khadija was there to greet us and help us get oriented in the medina. Once you walk it once or twice, getting to the main square is actually quite simple and not as labyrinthine as it first appears (the souks on the other hand...). She also brought us excellent breakfasts by the pool every morning. I think there was a problem with the heater though, the pool was a bit too cold to swim comfortably in. The courtyard area was beautiful to sit in, and the rooftop terracing even better. There were also nice lounging areas outside the bedrooms.
The place is new, and you can tell they are still working out a few kinks, but for us it was an lovely start to our two weeks in Morocco.

Riad Zineb has recently opened but is owned and run by people with experience in this business. We were looking for a place to really relax on our holiday, and that was also convenient to much that Marrakech has to offer. And we found it. The Riad is 10 minutes walk through the labyrinth of streets that make up the Medina. The rates included a taxi ride to the Riad where we were met by our hostess for the week, Kadija. Nothing is too much trouble for her, she is the epitome of Moroccan politeness and kindness.We were given a map to aid our adventures, and a number to call at any time in case of troubles. The rooms were beautiful, if basic. Dont bother with a computer, the idea is to relax. No television, no internet access. A pool and a roof top terrace to wind down with. All what we wanted. May not make it the ideal hotel stop for people with little kids though. Breakfast was also included in the rates, and was freshly prepared and served by the pool each day. Delicious. We will be back!