At first when we arrived to Marrakesh, they were supposed to send a cab to pick us up at the train station. But nobody did. Instead of that, we had to take a taxi by ourselves, where we spent 5 euros. That was not the problem. The problem was that the driver left us at some entrance of the medina and talked to some guy that was supposed to guide us tu the Riad. We had already been in some other places in Morocco so we knew what this guy was up to. He was sooo nice until we got to the door of the Dar Tuscia after walking for like ten minutes around really narrow streets and people looking at you. So we got there and he nocked at the door (which was locked and closed with a fence and nobody opened. So I was saying thank you to the guy and was going to give to him 40 dirhams, which is like 4 euros or $5 (he was getting well payed). Suddenly he started getting mad, saying that 40 dirhams were not money for him, that he deserved 200 dirhams (we are students who were traveling as backpackers, which means thats quite a lot of money for us). I was trying to wait until the door got unlocked... But it wasn't. Next, some guy came on the right, and some other in the left staring at us and the "Official Medina guide" as he wanted to be called was yelling and getting really angry. I could do nothing, because it was just me and my girlfriend and we didn't really knew even if we were in the real Dar Tuscia. So after this I gave him the money and just two seconds after the guys left really mad, the door opened!! And we were inside, the lady there said sorry but not really meaning it and then we had to wait almost one hour to get our room because it wasn't cleaned yet.
The thing I don't know is what we would do if we had to figure out by ourselves how to get out of there through the narrow streets, for example to get to Djemaa el Fna. Because we found there some other spanish travelers and they showed us the way, gave us tips and everything. Thing that I really doubt the Dar Tuscia staff would had done. The hotel is like 35-40 mins by walk to Djemaa El-Fna, which means it's reaaaly far away.
I have to say, that after one day, after we knew how to get everywhere, and got rid of the first impression of the hostel and the ubication, the Dar Tuscia was not that bad, it was even cozy and all that.
So I don't really know what to say... The breakfast was good, the ubication was not... The rooms were nice, but this place was runned by some women with their children and you could hear them cry sometimes at night. It's probably not the place to go if you are women traveling alone, or in a case like mine, where it was just me and my girlfriend. Even though we went through all of this we left with a better impression than we had at first

Have just returned from a week long stay at the Dar Tusica. It's an absolutely beautiful hotel, hidden away behind a large door down a very narrow street, typical of the Medina. The room was spacious with air con, lovely comfortable bed, en suite, safety deposit box, plenty of storage, and a seating area. Our window opened out onto the very charming courtyard where we had breakfast. Breakfast was simple yet very tasty, and perfectly ideal for the heat- coffee, juice, pastries, morroccan bread and pancakes- yum! Just be warned- you WILL get lost in the medina but this is part of the fun and charm of Marrakech. There are always helpful locals at hand, and for a small fee a local teenager will take you direct to your door. The Dar Tuscia was approximately a 20 to 30 minute walk to the main square, but we were taking it slow because of the blistering heat of July and August! If you want a taxi, you will have to walk approximately 5 to 10 mins to the Medina wall to the taxi rank- the streets are too narrow for taxi's to get down. All in all, we had an absolutely fantastic time in this chaotic, bustling city. I would reccommend the Dar Tuscia for a quiet stay away from the busy crowds.

Tucked into a quiet alley, this hotel is stunning. Good sized rooms surround a very elegant courtyard where breakfast is provided. The room we had was very comfortable with sitting area and lockable wardrobe. Lots of hot solar heated water. Roof terrace is partly shaded and is a nice escape from the touts of Marrakesh.

My friend and I (2 girls) visited and spent 4 nights in Marrakech. Beautiful and clean and well maintained little Riad located just on the outskirt of the old medina. Lovely host and friendly Riad staffs.Got Wifi service. Each room is different, but gives a sense of traditional Moroccan style to guest. Breakfast was simple croissant/ bread& jam/ coffee or mint tea.

We decided to catch the airport bus service just outside the airport terminal. (There is only one bus service to and from airport and Jemaa el Fna). Cost 50 or 70DM single/ return- takes 30mins into city centre. Taxi from Jemaa el Fna to the Riad cost 70DM (the driver said it is because we are hiring taxi after 10pm- evening fare cost more). If the taxi driver said he doesn't know where Riad Dar Tuscia is, just say to him it is near Grand Taxi by the Bus& Train terminal.
However, just to let you know that they will stop by the old medina wall where there is a small basketball court for the locals. You will need to walk through the old medina arch into alley way, bare left you walk through the old medina arch, go down a mini slope, you will some local corner shops on your right, as you get to the main courtyard. Turn left and you should see 'Dar Tuscia' on the arch way wall in front of you. Turn right and it is around the corner. First metal gate/door on your left.

We joined an excursion on our second day to Orkia Valley to visit 2 of the seven waterfalls. It was cheaper booking through the Raid. The host explained that the tour company recommended by our booking agency usually visits the Raid 1-2 day after your arrival to promote their excision packages, if you are not interested, there're a lot of excursion companies out by Jemaa el Fna, they are dearer in price. But definitely see the 'real deal' of Marrakech! don't miss out the rural scenery, stunning views and landscape.

Advice if you are planning to join any excursion.Do check and ask for the price or any thing extras for the guided tour around where you are visiting. Prior arrival to your destination.

We found out that our excursion package meant to only include the driver and transport to Orkia valley. The tour guide mentioned at the end of the tour that he needs to charge us extra for being our tour guide and also because he asked us if we want to climb up to see the second waterfall. We managed to deal with it in a civilized way. Luckily, we had 3 other french travellers who negotiated with the tour guide..... he was making such a big fuss and raised his voice in front of other tourist! At the end, the driver for involved and pretend that he forgot to ask if we want a tour guide which he said he was suppose to ask us on route to Orika Valley. So he said he and his company with deal with the tour guide. To be honest, we sensed that it was more like a set up between the driver and tour guide so they can earn more from tourist. Of course, no tip was left for them.


We got some hassel from local young boys and men when we explored the old medina, maybe because we are 2 female travellers. Especially during the evening, our advice for all the ladies it to say 'la shokran' (which mean no thanks) and walk away quickly! It worked on us 8/10 times for us. Other than that, all the locals are very friendly and helpful. We found that there are alot of people adult as well as children begging around the main square. We offered them food and drinks rather than money. I saw some tourist giving out toys for the young ones. They seems to appreciate any offering. .

If you need to ask for direction, especially in the souks, ask people in uniform/ hotel staff or shop owners. We found that locals walking around the souks will offer your help, pretend to be your guide, but will say to you 'I'm not a tour guide, I live around here, I know where this place is, I will take you', afterward, they will demand for you to pay for their guide and service. Just to rip tourist off more!

Bottle of 1.5L mineral water cost around 6DM from the local corner shops. Don't get rip off as they may charge extra when they see you are a tourist! 10DM in the city centre.

Other recommendation:
Wear comfortable footwear- rocky, uneven roads, be prepare if you wear sandles to return to your Riad/ accomdation with sandy dirty feet! Wet wipes and wet towels! We got hats, cost around DM 25 for a decant material hats, you can get one as cheap as DM10! Remember, always bargain them down in the souks!