We found our own way to Riad Zenithya, which is no small feat. We arrived mid morning, were welcomed with tea, and were told our room was not ready and we should return after 12, and we would find our room ready and our luggage inside it.
We came back at 1:30pm, and were told our room wasn't ready. I asked the manager about a nearby orphanage that we had brought gifts for. I knew it was somewhere right near the Riad but not exactly where. The medina is very confusing and difficult to navigate. The manager took the name and said she would find out. A few minutes later, they said our room was ready. I asked about our luggage and was told that I should bring it up myself. The room was nicely decorated with a comfortable bed. It was smaller than than I thought given the pictures and the bathroom door was a curtain, but we settled in, and were fine with making a go of it.
When we went back downstairs, the manager told me the orphanage was very nearby and that it was closed today and she would call for me on Monday. She said she would like to go with me and see this place, which I agreed to. She also told me that she had called her boss and that we were eligible for a "free upgrade" to another riad they owned on the other side of the medina. Since we were there five days and the room was small, I thought this might be good. She gave me the name of the other riad, and told me to tell her my answer the next day as she was leaving and we were on our way out.
When we came back later, we looked over the other riad, and it did indeed look nicer. The manager only comes in the morning, so we waited to tell her our answer the next day as she requested. The next morning, I told her we would like the free upgrade. She told me she didn't know if was available because I hadn't given her an answer the day before. This kind of irritated me but whatever. She also restated her wish to come with us to the orphanage the next day, which was monday.
On Monday morning, I went downstairs to talk to her about the orphanage. She told me the arrangements were all made for us to have a taxi take us to the other riad. I clarified that this would be door to door, because we had a lot of bags. I knew there would be a last leg in a cart because it was inside the medina, but I didn't want to have to hastle with another negotiation. She said the trip was door to door. I didn't want to mention the orphanage because it was clearly outside her job to deal with that, but she had offered to go, when all I had asked was for her to call and get directions to give me. So, we left in the taxi she arranged. He dropped us off a half mile from the riad and made arrangements with a man with a cart to take our bags. We had to pay the cart man, the new room was not really an upgrade. We were really confused as to why we had been offered this. It felt somewhat like she just wanted to get rid of us.
When we finally found the orphanage, after a half day of searching, it was 100 meters from where Riad Zenithya is. All in all, a disapointing and weird experience. The place is nice enough, but you will find in Marrakech that you need more than just nice furnishings to counter the effects of the chaos outside. There are a lot of other places to choose from.
Region:
Morocco >
Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz Region >
Marrakech
Amenities:
Free Breakfast
Free High-Speed Internet
Free Parking
Pets Allowed
Restaurant
Room Service
Swimming Pool
Ranked #426 of 980 B&Bs / Inns in Marrakech
Price Range:
$
Hotel Class:3.5 star (3.5*)
- Official Description (provided by the hotel):
-
The new charming Riad Zenithya is situated in the Medina of Marrakech with a lovely indoor swimming pool .You will feel confortable and relax , the riad is very near from the centre of the old city and from the "" place Jema El Fna ""On the top of the riad , you will find a terrace with some sunbeds at your disposal , and a dining space for your romantic dinner or tea break ..The whole team of the Riad Zenithya will do the best for you to enjoy your stay in Marrakech .
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