We stayed at Riad Dar One for 3 nights whilst in Marrakech to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. Based on the glowing reviews the Riad had obtained, the excellent value for money, and wanting to experience a stay in a Riad this was a top choice.

We booked a airport transfer via the hotel and were met and transported easily, we were then met at the archway which leads through the alleyways to the Riad. (3 Rights then a Left if I remember correctly!) There is a gated doorway to the Riad where there is normally someone sitting keeping watch! On entering the beautiful Riad we were greeted by Jean who showed us to our room. We booked the Mirage room. Lovely, atmospheric room, decent size bed, with bedsides, long shelf on one side of room, armchair and table, double wardrobes, and entrance to, again, lovely bathroom with gorgeous deep, huge marble/granite type bath, shutters/window above to feel the breeze, and lanterns overhead. A modern Morrocan style.

The Riad itself is, overall, beautifully presented. The inner courtyard with waterfall, a seperate living room with cosy fire and sofas. The roof terrace was a good space, but a little dissapointing as there were no views, and the day beds had seen better days. It was nice to sit up here in the morning for breakfast though. After we settled into our room we headed up to the roof terrace, for a glass of wine and Jean followed up afterwards to talk through the city sights and getting our bearings. All appeared straightforward!

We spent our first night at Gastro MK for the five course tasting menu, but got rather lost on the way there when the petit taxi dropped us off in a completely different place. Luckily we called into another Riad to ask for directions, who happened to be associates of Maison MK and promptly gentleman from Masion MK came and got us! We managed to find our way back all ok, it is very easy to locate the Riad as it is near the Bahia Palace gate, so even with the taxi drivers just tell them to drop you at the gate.

Breakfast was included in the hotel rate, and consisted of a selection of breads/pastries/jam/honey, and coffee or tea, orange juice and yoghurt. A decent start to the day. The staff, in general, were very efficient and Jean was very accommodating, we only saw him briefly though after the first day.

We had a wonderful stay and would highly recommend this Riad, we thought it was very good value and, as previously mentioned, provided a welcome respite after wandering the sights and souks of Marrakech. It is also perfectly placed, and everything we wanted to see was within walking distance.

I have marked sleep quality down only because for me it was a little noisy. The doors to the room are patio style glass doors which did not keep out (or probably in) the noise. Noise from the inner courtyard and stairs carried up and was heard easily, would have preferred thick wooden doors for our own feeling of privacy, and seclusion from the noise but clearly this is a personal preference and also understand the light to be gained from having the glass doors.

On one another note, we had a fairly early morning flight on a Sunday. Because of this we advised the night before the time we would like breakfast, then again my husband went down in the morning advising we were on the roof terrace and would like breakfast and black tea/coffee. We were brought, a while later, mint tea, then the tea/coffee we were asked for and on asking again about breakfast were told it would be 15 minutes. After another 25-30 minutes we went downstairs as we now had to leave to get our transfer back to the airport. We spoke to someone who had just come on duty and were told the other gentleman had said we said no breakfast required!! We were aggreived because this was clearly wrong, and it was a shame, after such a great stay, to leave on such a bad note. I did email Jean advising of what happened who apologised and said he would look into it, of which we are grateful.

Overall a great place, highly recommended.