The Riad was everything it said on the label and more. However the approach to the Riad was mayhem and was an experience to us both having being off loaded by a taxi in Jemaa el Fna square due to the congestion of people, horses and carts, motor bikes, bicycles, market stalls and street entertainers. Which gave our first taste of the Moroccan ambiance.

Our Riad was located off one of the busiest streets through an arch and a narrow passage way. The large double wooden doors to the Riad opened to reveal the secrets within. The beautiful and imposing interior was overwhelming with its fresh, modern but authentic decor. It was picture perfect.

We were greeted and looked after by the small team who gave personal and exemplary service during our stay. Nothing was too much trouble for Abla and her staff. Even to the extent that when we were lost one evening, we returned to the Riad to clarify directions, Rashid contacted Abla who had just finished her shift for the day, she came back and escorted us to our destination.

During our stay we decided to have a Hamman and massage at the Riad, little did we expect that the girls who prepared breakfast and cleaned, could turn their hand to anything including massage!

We stayed in the "Dana" room. It was spotlessly clean and fully equipped with TV, safe, mini bar, hair dryer, robes and slippers. I personally was given the guided tour of all seven guest rooms when they were unoccupied, much to my boyfriends annoyance and I can honestly say that all the rooms are fabulous and are of a very high standard and would recommend them to everyone. It was definitely a five star Riad and hospitality without the five star prices.

We did have a bit of confusion on our last day between soup and soap, however the soup was delicious, even though we could not wash with it. Our compliments to the chef.

We hope to return soon.

Michelle and Dave

My girlfriend is a 5 star hotel kind of girl and I am happy backpacking in hostels so its always a tentative time finding a compromise when selecting accommodation when we go on holiday. I requested a Riad in the centre of the Medina (old city) over one of the resorts outside of the city. Many of the Riads offer the what you would imagine the typical Moroccan experience to be however this l'Etoile d'Orient has the newness of a recent refurb, high level of cleanlines, while still retiaining the little touches to remind you that you are still in Morocco.

Our airport transfer did not go to plan (not the Riad's fault) but when the driver finally identified himself we were droped just by the main square where a porter with a cart collected us and navigated us through the mayhem that is Jemaa El Fna. A quick left and right down an alley and we were standing outside a golden door. We were welcomed in by Franc and sat down and had a sweet mint tea. Once we had recovered from the sensory overload we had just passed through, Franc took us on a quick tour of the Riad. We saw the spa area in the basement, the roof terrace where they have a new Jacuzzi and a little area to eat breakfast and sun loungers, and then our rom the 'Errakis suite'. It was a good size, a nice chandelier over the bed, sypathetic lighting and a whole wall of full length shutters that open like doors or just as smaller panels for light. The shower was modern and facilites well apointed. The mini bar was great value (everything 1 euro including the beer). The only downsides were that the air con didn't seem to work however we were always out during the day and when the sun went down is was cool enough not to need the air con. The other issue is with the close proximity to the main squrare also means its quite close to a mosque which has its first call to prayer at sun up via the usual loudspeakers. This was an unwelcome alarm call but I also apreciate its an important part of their main religion and to be fair I was asleep straight after thanks to the comfortable bed so not an issue for me.

There are plenty of friendly staff here with a varrying degree of English but they were always making the effort and I was more than happy to try out my very rusty french with them. We were there 3 days before the record was broken, the record bieng that a different member of staff opened the door whenever we buzzed back in after a day out. We were never pressured for any structure or set times, breakfast was ready when we were ready, they would service the room when they knew we were out, and due to our late flight there was no pressure to check out early. This is a quality that you just can't get at a large hotel.

If I was pressed to be picky I would say that the breakfast could be improved. It is very bread based some of which was a bit stale however there is a choice of fresh fruit and yoghurt. Staff will also make you a plain omlette and some local crepe/potato cake type things that are really tasty with a little honey. I could also say that there was a spot light out in our room for the week we were there and one of the sockets in near the sink looks to have been repositoned so there is a gap between the top of the socket and the plaster wall. Very small maintenance issues that can be fixed quickly and no doubt the next people in the room will wonder what I'm talking about. The Wifi is a tad on the slow side and I wasn't able to connect a skype call but it was good enough to browse the web. This is more a helpful message to the owners as I had so much fun I forgot to mention these points on checkout. Needless to say none of that prevented me from giving the Riad a 5 out of 5. You can't get much better with the location, serivce, and comfort.

Have just spent 5 nights in Riad Etoile and were sorry to leave, we were made so welcome, nothing was any trouble to them. The whole place is strikingly beautiful, the camera doesn't lie. All the staff were so friendly and helpful. We stayed in "Dana" room.
It was so clean and fresh to come back to after the mayhem of the narrow alleyways and cluttered souks. There was tea/mint tea/coffee available, just ask.
The state of the art hot-tub on the roof is finished now - with curtains (if you need them) and to add to the enjoyment, it comes with music, changing coloured lights, fountains, etc. and there is a shower and toilet there too.
It is so quiet once inside, and we slept well on the quite firm mattress. The toiletries were in such pretty silver trimmed bottles and the soap had a lovely spicy smell. For breakfast, which was good, there was ample freshly squeezed orange juice. We particularly liked the homemade fig jam (and we're not mad about figs!) and lovely crispy toast, but there was quite a selection of items on offer, just help yourself.
On leaving for the trip to Essouria, a full breakfast was provided at 7a.m. and we were escorted to a taxi in the big square and taken to the minibus - recommend this trip organised by the riad. (It would have meant an awkward trip to the bus station to get the ticket the day before if we had gone by bus, and the bus station is in the new town area).
From the riad we were able to walk to the main sights in Marrakech, saving the hassle and haggling getting taxis.
Cannot imagine any riad being better and would highly recommend.

I have found this Riad absolutely first class. It is close to the heart of town - the Jemaa el Fna market place - and you save a great deal on taxis and have access to some good deals if you're willing to haggle. Above all, this Riad offers excellent service thanks to very competent and helpful staff. The only drawback is that taxis cannot drop you off at the entrance... but that is more than made up for by the very clean establishment, excellent mint tea, wonderful soaps, mattresses that give you a great night's sleep and best of all the Hammam massage!