We stayed here a few months ago when researching Marrakech for a student visit, college paid airfares but accommodation was our responsibility. There are cheaper places but this looked the most interesting.

First thing to say, if this is your first time in Marrakech, you're in for a real treat, the city will assault all your senses. I have never been anywhere quite like this, but a part of the uniqueness is the cramped streets and please believe me you'll have very little chance of finding this Riad straight from the plane and an ordinary cab. DO (do) arrange your airport transfer with the Riad, they will ensure your cabbie gets as close to the Riad as can be driven and then will walk you directly to the Riad from there. The walk will immediately immerse you into Marrakech life. Once you arrive you'll think you're hopelessly lost and have no chance of navigating out again but the secret is to observe en route. As you walk with the cabbie you'll pass a barber and opposite that will be a lampost, you'll turn next to the lampost and the secret is to remember the route to that lampost, so out of the Riad you turn left, walk to the end and then left again, walk to the end and left again, you'll emerge opposite the barber and next to the lamp. A right from the lamp and a few yards later you're at a junction,a left will lead you to a great restaurant with a wonderful rooftop terrace and reasonable food, straight on will lead you down Moussasine and down there on your left is one of the very few licensed premises in the Medina (expensive for both food and beer). Follow the Moussasine down and via a dogleg right at bottom and first left followed by another souk walk and you'll end up at Jemma El Feena with its wonderful night-time food stalls.

This is a city to explore and you'll mainly explore it on foot. Fredric will provide you with a detailed map which will assist your exploration. The sights and smells will astound and delight you, the locals all have stories to tell and the streets meander like their stories. Take your time to get lost in the Souks, haggle hard with the vendors and you'll love Marrakech.

Turning to the Riad, well its small, only 5 rooms but ours was very big and very cool. The riad is immaculate throughout although be aware the massive black onyx baths take about an hour to fill, and even then the water is only lukewarm. The staff are charming and very helpful, bed supremely comfortable and breakfast on the rooftop terrace is a lovely start to the day. This is a superb Riad representing great value for money in a fascinating city. Get out there and enjoy...

This Riad is beautiful, the pictures do not do it justice. We stayed here as a group of three girls and we could not of been more welcomed.

The staff are wonderful and cannot do enough for you, they brought us tea whenever we asked. our room was lovely and the location of the riad is perfect. right in the mix of everything. At first you might feel a little un safe navigating your way through all the streets to get to the riad, but it is perfectly safe and the security will help you.

there is a house cat which is amazing he is adorable and does not pester you just lies there and waits to be cuddled.

all in all an amazing place to stay better than any hotel. if you want a real morrocan experience this is it !!

If the heart of the Medina is what your looking for then Riad Ta'achchaqa is what you looking for. Hidden down a traditional Moroccan street on arrival you may be a little daunted that you might not find it again, but no need to worry beacuse the lovely Anouar is there to help. He walked us to our restaurant on the first night, and gave us a mobile phone so that he could call us hourly to arrange a time to collect us. In daylight we soon got our bearings and found the Riad ourselves.

The rooms are beautifully traditional and extremely clean, in 40 degree heat they stayed very cool with excellent air conditioning. Once you enter the Riad you enter a peaceful oasis which is a welcome contrast to the busy bustleing streets outside. There was enough hot water for us to shower properly with robes, fresh towels and hairdryer in the bathroom. This place feels like home and the staff are on hand to help in any way they can with information on local sights/restaurants/entertainment. Anouar's excellent grasp of English made up for our total lack of French.

Our lovely breakfast was served on the roof terrace and consisted of tea/coffee, breads, pancakes, butter and preserves.....Speedy the resident tortoise is partial to a small piece of pancake so make sure you share. Also the two resident cats are very friendly and well looked after.

To sum things up pre arrange airport pick up it saves so much time, then enjoy being in the best location in Marrakech only minutes from the Souks and Jemaa El Fna Square.

We cant wait to return to Riad Ta'achchaqa soon.

To visit Marrakech is a vibrant, sensual, colourful and intense experience not for the faint hearted or those not willing to engage with its people, its rich heritage and customs.

For these reasons, in order to get the very most of your visit it is all the more desirable that where you stay offers an environment which not only enables you seek refuge in a peaceful, comfortable environment, but one that is also in keeping with Marrakshi life, its food, architectural design and one that is situated within easy distance of the souqs and one of the most exciting city squares in the world....the Djemaa el Fna.

The Riad Ta'achchaqa hits the mark in all of the above and for us was integral to what was an amazing stay in this magical city.

As a person used to staying in hotels in various parts of the world I was a little concerned about staying in what one might describe as a "posh guesthouse". Now I won't consider staying in anything else the next time I spend time within the walls of the Medina.

Prior to our arrival, Frederic the Riad owner arranged a shuttle from the airport via email and a guide to accompany us from the drop off point down the short walk to the Riad....this is not a Riad that you will find easily the first time on your own, as it is tucked away down a quiet winding alley....but some of the most interesting things in Marrakech are tucked away down alleys!

At this point, a note on safety: Despite how Marrakesh first appears, it soon became clear to us that you are probably far safer here than you are in even the some of the most open spaces in either the UK or the USA!! So exercise common sense, but explore with confidence!

Upon our arrival we were greeted by Hamid, the most wonderful and kind gentleman for whom nothing was any trouble. I guess the outside of many Riad's belie the beauty that awaits you inside. Lavishly adorned with traditional Moroccan art, furniture, and handmade ornaments and lanterns, the interior took our breath away.....from our wonderful room beautifully appointed in every aspect, to the galleried first floor and outside top floor terrace where you may enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast amid lime, orange and olive plants.

After a lovely dinner of Harira (spicy Moroccan soup) and Chicken Tagine as well as a very welcome Moroccan mint tea (they made us many mint teas, whenever we asked, yet we paid for none during our stay) we headed, anxiously out into the night to find the main square, wondering if we would ever make it back, despite the map given to us by Hamid.

The square is only around 10 minutes walk in a roughly southerly direction so we found it no problem, without the aid of the many persistent locals willing to show us the way!! Getting back was a little more daunting, but once we had our bearings we found the route back to the solace of our homely Riad which we later found was convenient not only for the Square, the Souqs and the Bazaars, but also for the more northerly areas where the craftsmen dwell....and so do the better bargains.....depending on your haggling skills!

To be honest I'd much rather keep this hidden gem as secret as possible (no sense in creating future competition for rooms!) but credit where credit is due, we had a wonderful time at Riad Ta'achchaqa and wholeheartedly recommend it for its setting, decor, comfort, and accommodating staff...with hospitality this good we have found ourselves wondering whether to bother with the risk of trying any other Riad the next time we visit this fascinating city.

A big thank you to all at Riad Ta'achchaqa, well done!

Leon & Ali