Staying in a riad while traveling through Morocco was, I’ll admit, a bit of a basic bucket list item for me {if I kept a bucket list anymore, that is}. Most riads in Marrakech are located in the medina, which is a prime location for visitors, and include home-cooked breakfasts. However, it’s for these very reasons that riads tend to be more expensive than other accommodation options. They have also become more and more gentrified to the point that many local Moroccans feel they are crossing the line into “boutique hotel” territory

Luckily, Riad Green Palm offers all the bells and whistles that other riads do, but at a more affordable price tag. It was the perfect place for me to relax and enjoy Marrakech, the last stop on my Moroccan adventure.

here are the details of my stay at Riad Green Palm

the communal seating area at Riad Green Palm, Marrakech Morocco,

what is a riad? ↴

A riad is a traditional Moroccan house with a courtyard and a garden in its center. It exists over multiple floors with enough rooms to house an entire extended family.

From the exterior, riads are meant to appear humble and almost hidden. The idea is that walking into a riad is a visually transitional experience. Once you step through the door, however, the decor of a riad showcases the wealth of a family. While many travelers opt for a hotel while in Morocco, riads are great alternatives that offer the ultimate taste of luxury and hospitality.

getting to riad green palm ↴

Riad Green Palm is conveniently located in the heart of the city’s medina. However, it can be a pain to get to, especially if you have a roller bag or heavy luggage. You will need to be able to get your bag from the nearest road through a few narrow, uneven stone streets where the riad is located. From there, the staff will gladly help you with your luggage.

If you’re flying into Marrakech Menara Airport, the fastest way to get to Riad Green Palm is via taxi. It’s approximately a 20-minute ride. From the drop off point {the medina}, you’ll need to walk a short distance. Those with a working Moroccan SIM card or a portable WiFi device, like Tep, can download the Roby app and order a taxi that’s more affordable than the standard cabs sitting outside the arrival terminal.

If you’re arriving to Marrakech via the train, as I did, the adventurous can grab a local bus towards Douar Dlam and then walk for 10-minutes to the entrance of the riad.

i’ve mapped both drop-off points + riad Green Palm below

the streets near Riad Green Palm, Marrakech Morocco,

in the neighbourhood ↴

Since Riad Green Palm is in the heart of the medina, it’s in close proximity to shopping, eateries, and hamman spas. It is also worth noting that it is required when leaving the Morocco Airport to have a printed out boarding pass— no electronic passes are allowed. Thankfully, there are a few “cyber cafés” near the Riad Green Palm that will print off a boarding pass for you. Marrakech has many vegan and vegetarian eateries that are near the riad, all of which you can find in my guide here.

awesome amenities + add-on activities ↴

HELPFUL STAFF + EXCURSION PLANNING: Staff at Riad Green Palm speak Arabic, English, and French, so it’s easy for guests from a variety of places to communicate their needs. For guests looking to book excursions to the Sahara or a nearby hot air balloon ride, the staff here are happy to help you organize your adventures. Bikes are available for hire, though I highly recommend taking the city on by foot.

BEAUTIFUL BREAKFAST: The center of the riad, in the courtyard, is where breakfast is served, the cost of which is included in your stay. Breakfast varies a tiny bit from day to day, but it is always a spread. Most days I started my day with fresh bread, jams, butter, pancakes, coconut cake, eggs, tea, coffee, orange juice, and fruit. There was always an abundance of food to kick start my day, and I was almost never hungry for lunch.

ROOM EXTRAS: Every room at Riad Green Palm has a beautiful private bathroom with all the basic toiletries you need: shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Towels are also provided. Rooms on the second floors have private terraces

GORGEOUS INTERIORS: The interior design of Riad Green Palm is nothing short of incredible. Berber carpets cover marble floors. There is a terrace that looks over the medina on the top floor and multiple common areas with soft eating and beautifully designed cushions.