our airport transfer did not turn up as confirmed. In fact, we received an email from the owner 2 days after our arrival to confirm our transfer! No apology offered.

Breakfast is shocking for the price - a slice of cheap brioche and OJ. On our last day, they forgot we were leaving and we ended up paying the cleaner instead of the owner. No receipt given and we left a stranded guest there whose airport transfer hadn't turned up - no surprises there!

The room was clean and comfortable - a bit small but we were hardly there. The location is close to the souqs but there was no atmosphere. It was not welcoming and we could not ask the staff for tips or anything. We never met the owner the whole time we were there - never asked if we needed anything etc.

If i were to go back, I would rather stay in a riad owned by local Moroccans probably for half the price and contribute to the locals.

We had a very, very nice experience at Riad Zarka (April 08) .

I would echo the advice of other reviewers that you MUST arrange to have them pick you up, as you will NEVER find it by yourself (even though getting back is easy once you know the way). When we called about this we got a French only speaker, but we then emailed in English and heard back from the proprietress and all was fine.

It is lovely. Pretty general areas. Rooms small but nice, clean, and comfortable. Conveniently located, a few minutes walk from the main square. Staff extraordinarily accommodating (though linguistically limited - not a problem for us, perhaps more for others)

Nevertheless worth noting to the negative side: the included breakfast is very modest indeed. And perhaps more seriously, though we had absolutely no problem, some may feel uneasy walking back to the Riad after the shops along the way have closed (9:30-10) - not a problem for us at all since our habit is a not too late dinner then back to the Riad for a glass of wine and to bed early enough to get up and going pretty early the next day; but perhaps more serious for someone who habitually wants to return late from the club scene or whatever.

But for us a very happy stay - we'd defintiely go there again and recommend it highly.

While difficult to find upon first arriving, Zarka is a gem that is nearby to the souqs and the centre of the medina. We stayed in the Green room, but every aspect of the riad that we saw maintained the same charm and flavour, and everything was decorated with both taste and comfort in mind. The staff was also very helpful and friendly. We highly recommend this location.

Two women travelling alone for the first time in Marrakech and can't wait to return. Riad Zarka could not have been more conveniently located. Staff extremely helpful, and breakfast brilliant. Great to sit in the courtyard in the evenings. We stayed in the blue room, which was really authentic, and the shower was lovely and the complimentary toiletries were great. We went shopping and returned with our bargains on a regular basis as Riad Zarka really is less than two minutes from the madness that is Marrakech. What a wonderful city and what a fabulous place to stay. Can't wait to bring our families back.