We stayed one night on our way back from Kasbah Tabelkoukt which is owned by the same people. Riad El Arsat is hedonistically luxurious with the accommodation spread out around the huge riad garden and there are seemingly endless rooms and corners, terraces and seats where you can make yourself at home. When we arrived on a cool December night the fire in our room was lit - a lovely thoughtful touch. Charles showed us round the whole place and pointed out the Djemaa el Fna from the rooftop - you could hear the clamour and see the dust rising through the flickering light, less 10 minutes walk away. Our room was utterly quiet, amazingly so considering we were in the middle of a city. We were woken by the doves in the garden just in time to savour the sunlight hitting the terrace outside our room where breakfast was served. We loved this place and will return.

I had an amazing stay at the Riad. The food was fantastic and very friendly staff. The atmostphere was relaxing and enjoyable.

I visited the riad for two consecutive years around new year eve 2008 with my girlfriend Sarah and 2009 with Sarah and four other friends of ours. I cannot wait to get back again. El Arsat is an incredible place, a hidden winter and summer garden with a lovely pool in the middle of medina at the very end of a narrow alley, where you would never expect to find such a spacious riad, sheltered from high walls. The host, Nicole, is very charming and helpful. The in-house cook, Fatima, prepares excellent traditional Moroccan food but will never give away one of her precious recipes, so do not ask only enjoy! We stayed at the upper floor suite both times, the rooms are decorated with excellent taste, the bed is confortable and the place is super quiet at night, so you will be sure to relax and sleep like a baby. All rooms have a lovely fireplace which keeps you warm if you go during winter season. Downstairs, you will dine in a luxurious dining room superbly refurbished by Nicole by maintaining the original architecture, or in the large garden under the stars. A very romantic place for couples but also enjoyable with friends or family. You may find other luxury hotels for the same price in Marrakech, but El Arsat is unique in many ways, it makes you feel like you are back to the golden days of Marrakech, part of an elite of people in the know, miles away from the shallow waters of mass tourism. A must try

I travelled here with my wife (on the Marrakech express, so obviously we are "of a certain age") and Riad El Arsat was perfect. The riad is surrounded by the bustle of the medina, ten minutes walk from Djemaa el-Fna (the old city's central plaza), but is a calm, quiet, refuge. There is a large garden with orange and palm trees, and constant bird song. Accomodation is in two houses at each end of the garden, renovated to a very high standard in what I think may be a Moroccan / Andalucian style.
Breakfast (pastries and coffee) was served either outside our room on the veranda overlooking the garden, or in the garden itself (or where-ever we wanted, I imagine). We also ordered dinner on the night we arrived, which was served in the salon.
The staff, under Meryam's management, operate to a high standard, and were always friendly, polite, and sympathetic.
On the roof terrace, which is higher than many surrounding properties, there are clear views of the snow-covered High Atlas mountains in the distance.
Basically, when the bedlam of the medina gets too much, relaxing at riad El Arsat is perfect.