Prior to getting a series of short, sharp lessons in humility from stallholders in the souks of Marrakech (face it: their silky bargaining skills are built on something you’ll never know: the real cost of a sales item), you’ll need a damn good breakfast. Something to give you strength to plunge into the maze of hot, narrow lanes where sellers are standing shoulder-to-shoulder to relieve you of twice the amount of Dirham you should have paid for pieces of tat. A breakfast like Riad El Fenn’s homemade yoghurt, slim baguettes, runny jams and fresh mint tea.

Under a pale blue sky in a pale red city, and seated on the riad’s rooftop beneath a casually-thatched wooden awning, you can eat well while practicing your appalling French on the charming, professional and supremely patient waitstaff. Scrambled oeufs, merci. Ah, this is the way to start your day in the Medina: a raffish, if slightly scruffy, area of Marrakech.

Now you’re ready. The nearby souks await. You have nothing to lose but your perky innocence. Hours later, with the happy laughter of contented sellers still ringing in your dust-flecked ears, you’ll return to the Riad El Fenn. Pass me that book of travel clichés, s’il vous plait. “Oasis” is the word. Cool, in both senses of the word, the riad manages to combine restrained elegance with impeccable service.
My wife (described to me by several souk sellers as “your Berber wife” for her ability to turn the gentle art of bargaining into a form of street warfare) and I have just spent five days at Riad El Fenn. Blissful days, indeed, in Room 19. Would we go back? Put it this way: to raise the money, we’d even sell some of the almost priceless items we bought in the Medina’s markets. Almost priceless but, for you, I can do a special price, not a “tourist price”. I consider you a friend. To you, I can offer an antique silver-like serving tray hand-etched centuries ago by skilled craftsmen in the fastness of the High Atlas Mountains. For you, 3600 Dirhams. No, do not thank me, you are a friend. Cash only.

-- Greg Flynn, Sydney.

It's rare to find somewhere that really lives up to all the things that they say about themselves on their website but, Riad el Fenn does and really is a wonderful boutique hotel of unique quality. The attention to detail is so clearly evident throughout the riad - from the sumptuous rooms throught to the friendliest and professional service - making it all the more difficult to leave! Thank you everyone at Riad el Fenn for making my first visit to Marrakesh an unforgettable one - I was there with friends and my partner and we all agreed that it is simply our favourite hotel in the world and the only place to stay, when you're visiting Marakesh! You'd be silly not to.

Marrakech is a city that has to be seen, discovered and embraced, this is why staying at Riad El Fenn is so unique, as soon as you enter through the doors it becomes increasingly difficult to leave, it becomes a home from home, a place to relax and to explore. The space is huge yet not at all overpowering, allowing you to wander from the tranquility of the main courtyard to the amazing panoramic views of the roof terrace, taking in some Terence Donovan's and Antony Gormley's on the way. All of the rooms are individual in character and rooms 4 and 5 have great outdoor spaces complete with fantastic, locally sourced vintage furniture. Having returned to the Riad on several occasions, the last at the end of August, the experience remains the same, this time enhanced by a stay in the incredible room 14. Whether you are a first time visitor or a returning devotee El Fenn delivers great service, food, ambience and above all effortless chic.

It was amazing, on forehand you hear stories about Marrakech that it is a place like you are in a fairy tale of the famous One Thousand and One Nights. The city is exactly what it's said before, the Riad el Fenn however is much better. The first time you arrive at the hotel you won't have any clue what is behind the walls. Once you enter the door and step into the red hall, you'll be amazed. It's better then your imagination. We were told that it was a hotel combined by 5 traditional houses within the old medina (old town). Really beautiful.
There's a fabulous roof top where they will serve the breakfast and with a beautiful view around town. There are a lot of opportunity's to chill out on the roof top, many places to sit without being disturbed by other guest of the Riad. Everything in the Riad El Fenn is remarkable being analysed for improvement. You can see that there is a lot been done to give the visitor a as best welcome vacation as possible! Everything is taken care of until the last detail. We enjoyed it very much and recommended it already to some friends. Hopefully we will come back sometime.