This was our first ever visit to Marrakech and it was a real eye opener. We thought we had been picked up and put back into biblical times. Dusty roads, donkey lead carts transporting fruit and vegetables and a riot of colour everywhere you looked.
The locals were polite and very friendly. Yes, they were trying to sell their goods, but were happy if you just looked around their shop and left without buying.

When we first arrived at the entrance of Riad Darna it was very off putting. It is situated at the end of a very dark, alleyway, with no hotel signs whatsoever, however once inside it was a very different story. The Riad was beautifully maintained, the staff were extremely friendly and welcoming and were more than helpful every day of our visit. The home-made catering at the Riad was excellent value for money and the staff very attentive. All in all a definite jewel and a wonderful experience.

Top tip - take a piece of chalk (it will help you find your way back) but be prepared to get lost....many times.

Upon arriving at the Riad, we were so grateful that we got the airport transfer. Getting there would have been extremely difficult, with all the twists and turns, carts and donkeys of the Old City. The riad is not labled or marked, so it can be difficult to find. It is also in a small alleyway where you have to ring the bell.
Staying in the old city is an interesting experience, and uncomfortable for a woman. Locals are constantly pestering for money and telling you INCORRECT directions to everything, trying to get you lost. The walk to the "Big Square" as they called it was not as easy as stated, but we managed to get to it and navigate back despite all the shouting of incorrect directions.

Once inside the riad, its a whole different story. Its beautiful and clean and the service is excellent. VERY good breakfast, served on the rooftop terrace! The staff was very eager to make hammam and dinner reservations for us, and give us tips around the city.

I don't recommend that a woman should stay here alone. But couples who feel comfortable in different worldly areas (speaking French helps!!) then I would recommend it.

We ultimately had a lovely stay in the Riad Darna, language difficulty aside (one staff member did not speak any English and kept attempting to communicate with us in French, although we do not speak any French), but we had booked into the Terrace Room for our stay which looks lovely on the website, but is not as it appears. It is indeed very nicely painted inside, but is a small, windowless, hot, stuffy room on the roof of the Riad - with unattached toilet in another room on the other side of the Terrace. It was pretty frustrating to spend about $60 to end up in exactly the uncomfortable yet cheap hostel situation I'd worked so hard to avoid through my research! Luckily, many guests departed the next day and so we were moved to a much better room and the staff graciously offered us that night at the same rate as the Terrace.

Again, the Riad is lovely and the staff is lovely, but it is definitely "off-off" the main square Djemma al-Fna or "La Place" as everyone calls it. It was pretty unnerving to arrive the back way at night and twist through the alleys, and to be honest, did not get much more comfortable when we navigated our way back after dark. There is no signage of the Riad on the road it is off of, so it's very easy to miss. You absolutely need to have them meet you somewhere and take you there the first time. I would not necessarily recommend this to women travelers due to the location, but for those who are more confident (or speak French), perhaps not such an issue. Because of the location, I could not truly recommend a friend stay somewhere I felt uncomfortable every time I returned, but the Riad is lovely and I'm sure plenty of others will disagree with me!

We were looking for a very authentic-style riad and Riad Darna did not disappoint !
Choosing accommodation is not easy in Marrakech, with the overwhelming options available in the Medina, but we found it here at the Riad Darna !

Though the riad was sometimes challenging to find, as almost anything in the Medina, we became accustomed to finding our way around. The staff were so incredibly warm and friendly during our entire stay of 6 nights. They catered to us with the service you'd find in a 5-star hotel- exceptional ! The rooms all had a different feel with each having a different motive. Loved the breakfast on the cute rooftop terrace with FRESH orange juice !
It's a quiet, cozy, relaxing riad to call home after each day.

* (Especially liked the option of the 'free' airport transfer that Riad Darna provided. But the porter that carried our 2 small hand bags to the actual door asked for money both times, once asking for more of a tip. A thank you would have been nice to hear. But in Marrakech, this action is seeming to be the norm as more and more tourists visit.)

Thanks to all the staff at the riad for the wonderful experience!
Darrell
FYI to all....gay-friendly !!