This lovely little riad in the center of the old town (Medina) is a really good stay in Marrakesh. The staff is super friendly and will help you with anything from booking a hammam, making you dinner to offer you mint tea.
The riad is located only 5-10min from the Djemaa el-Fna plaza and the staff will provide you with a map and/or show you the way the first time.

I really recomend to take the transfer-service from the airport, because there are no signs to the riad and you can't find it without knowing where it is. Off course the transfer is more expencive than a taxi.

Some comments have been about the staff only speaking arabian or french. That's not really the case; one of the sisters that work at the riad also speaks english and the other one spanish.

The only thing I can complain about is that I thought that the bed was a bit hard (we stayed in the red room).
I must also say, that the room is really really quiet during night and it is a perfect spot to relax.

We enjoyed our stay there. The staff although speak little english, very helpful and friendly. The riad is very pretty, central (10min walk through the souk to the square) but hidden. Although very overpriced (150dh as opposed to 65dh by petit taxi), it is advisable to ask the riad to pick you up from the airport. you will not be able to find it yourself. We took the patio room. It was clean and very nicely decorated YET with little privacy as it was right next to the common room. and could get quite noisy when people is having dinner outside. there were orange juice, mint tea, coffee, tea and bread for breakfast.

This was our first visit to Marrakech and I'm glad we chose Riad Darna. The owner and the Moroccan staff really went the extra mile to help us - restaurant selection, sightseeing options, even buying tape on the last day to help us pack. The food at the Riad is also highly recommended - we'll never forget Valentine's dinner with the five couples staying at the Riad!...
We suggest everyone to take the transfer on the first day, since it is very tough to find the Riad alone.

My partner and I stayed at Riad Darna at the end of January 2010 for two nights. We were extremely impressed with the customer service, the value for money and overall quality. The hotel organised taxi collection for us including man with wheelbarrow (150 dirhams each way) to guide us down the narrow alleyways that cars will never fit through!

The Riad is well located in the heart of the northern end of the Medina and provided you don't mind the sellers' attempts to lure you inside to buy their wares on your walk to and from La Place then this is the ideal place to stay. It is surprisingly quiet as you access it via a tiny alley and once esconsed inside the building it's very tranquil.

We were greeted with refreshing mint tea and biscuits in the tranquil courtyard filled with flowers and palms, then shown to our room. We upgraded to the Blue room and glad we did for the four poster bed was gorgeous and we had the best night's sleep in ages! The rooms are simple but very comfortable and the style is Moroccan, extremely clean and comfortable.

We enjoyed a delicious vegetable couscous dinner with some fish on our first night and breakfast of fresh bread, jams, mint tea, fresh orange juice and yoghurt. The staff and the owners are really charming and helpful, with plenty of restaurant suggestions and tips and advice about what to see/do.

Only negative is that it is tricky to get back to from La Place until you've got your bearings but once you've found them it's easy so just make sure you've got your map/diagram with you when you venture out!

If you're looking for an authentic, comfortable, romantic and quiet Riad in the heart of the Medina then this is the place for you. Very reasonable price and excellent value all round. We had a great time.

Independent review from Uk based travel journalist.