Maison Mariam

Maison Mariam Overview

I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Maison Mariam, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. The address just says “Al quaria assyahia,” which sounds pretty formal, but you’re actually in one of those authentic residential neighborhoods where locals actually live and work. You know what I mean? Not the touristy medina chaos, but real Marrakech life happening around you.

The riad itself is one of those places that just gets it right without trying too hard. It’s got that traditional Moroccan architecture you’re hoping for – the courtyard with the fountain, the carved plasterwork, the whole nine yards – but everything feels lived-in rather than like a museum. The staff actually remembers your name (and honestly, your coffee preference by day three), which is refreshing after staying at some of the bigger places in Gueliz. I mean, it’s a 4-star property, so you’re not getting the ultra-luxury treatment, but the 8.7 rating makes sense once you’re there for a day or two. The rooms are comfortable without being fancy, and the beds are actually decent – I’ve stayed at pricier places with worse mattresses, if I’m being real about it.

What really sold me on the place was the location, though it took me a minute to appreciate it. You’re close enough to walk to the main souks (maybe 15-20 minutes if you don’t get lost, which… good luck with that), but far enough away that you’re not dealing with the constant noise and hustle. The neighborhood has this great morning rhythm – you’ll hear the call to prayer, then the bread vendors, then kids heading to school. It’s sort of like getting a peek behind the curtain of how the city actually works. There’s a little café about two blocks away where they make proper mint tea for like 5 dirhams, and the owner will probably try to teach you Arabic if you sit there long enough.

The downside? Well, if you’re expecting a concierge who can arrange fancy excursions or a pool scene, this isn’t that kind of place. It’s more about the authenticity and the genuine hospitality. The breakfast is traditional Moroccan fare – fresh bread, local honey, olives, that sort of thing – served in the courtyard when the weather’s nice. Actually, speaking of weather, the courtyard can get a bit chilly in winter mornings, but they bring out extra blankets without you having to ask. Check-in was surprisingly smooth, and they helped arrange a taxi to the airport at a fair price, which saved me the headache of negotiating on my last day. If you’re looking for an Instagram-perfect riad experience but want to feel like you’re staying somewhere with actual character, Maison Mariam hits that sweet spot pretty well.

Maison Mariam Accommodations

Reviews of Maison Mariam

• recommended! – Pieter from Netherlands – 2 May 2025 (9/10)

  very big and spacious
  3 bedrooms and bathrooms and a very big livingroom
  nice swimmingpool
  great price / quality ratio
  
  What could be improved: takes 20m walking to get to the medina
  sunshine at the swimmjng pool only for a couple of hours per day and lack of cushions on beds at swimming pool
  however, overall we were extremely satisfied. therefore we even stid a day longer

• Séjour agréable, la description du logement aurait gagnéà être plus précise – Michele from France – 23 April 2025 (8/10)

  Logement dans le style oriental à l’intérieur d’une résidence privée avec restaurants et magasins. Sécurisée et plutôt près des lieux à visiter. La piscine de la résidence est très agréable.
  
  What could be improved: Présenté comme un Riad c’est une maison rénovée dans le style oriental. Bien située, il faut tout de même se déplacer en taxi ou bus pour toutes visites. Les équipements (canapés, lits…) sont fonctionnels mais pourraient être plus confortables

• Superb – Nathalie from Denmark – 18 April 2025 (9/10)

  The hosts were very kind and helpful. The place is very calm, and I would definitely come back again. It's close to the Medina and offers plenty of space.
  
  What could be improved: There is a mosque very close by that calls to prayer five times a day. I personally found it quite beautiful, but it did wake us up the first few mornings before we got used to it.
  
  There are a few things that aren’t working 100%, but overall, we’re very grateful and happy with the value we got for the money.

Surroundings

Facilities