Riad Baba Ali

Riad Baba Ali Overview

Look, I’ve stayed in plenty of riads around Marrakech, and honestly, most of them feel like they’re trying too hard to be Instagram-perfect. Riad Baba Ali is different – it’s the kind of place where you actually want to hang out in the courtyard with mint tea instead of just snapping photos and leaving. The location in Derb Baba Ali is pretty much ideal if you know the medina at all. You’re deep enough in the old quarter to feel authentic (I mean, you’ll hear the call to prayer echo off the walls at dawn), but you’re not so buried that you need a guide to find your way back after dinner.

The thing that got me right away was how the staff actually remembers your name – and not in that forced hospitality way. They genuinely seem to care about making sure you’re sorted. When I mentioned I was hoping to hit the spice markets early, they suggested going around 8 AM before the tour groups arrive, which was spot-on advice. The riad itself has this wonderful lived-in elegance… the tiles aren’t perfect, the walls have character marks, but that’s exactly what makes it feel real. You know what I love? The rooftop terrace where you can see the Koutoubia minaret without fighting crowds – perfect for that morning coffee or evening tagine. Speaking of food, they don’t just serve tourist-friendly versions of Moroccan dishes; the lamb I had was properly spiced and tender.

Here’s the practical stuff that matters: the rooms are genuinely quiet despite being in the heart of everything (thick walls, thank God), and the hot water actually works consistently – trust me, that’s not a given in old riads. The courtyard stays cool even in summer, which is some kind of architectural magic. If you’re worried about navigating the narrow streets, don’t be – it’s about a 10-minute walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa, and once you do it twice, you’ll feel like a local. The only minor thing is that Wi-Fi can be spotty in some rooms, but honestly, isn’t that half the point of being here? With a 9.6 rating, this place clearly knows what it’s doing, and after staying there, I get why people keep coming back. It’s not just a place to sleep – it’s the kind of base camp that makes you fall in love with Marrakech properly.

Riad Baba Ali Accommodations

Reviews of Riad Baba Ali

• All staff were super friendly and welcoming! We had a lovely time! – Priya from United Kingdom – 6 July 2025 (10/10)

  The property was very clean and all amenities were available!
  
  What could be improved: Only feedback would be there is no door on the bathroom!

• Exceptional – Eilidh from United Kingdom – 26 June 2025 (10/10)

  The property was lovely and the staff were so accommodating and kind. The breakfast was exceptional too!

• The experience was exceptional. Excellent service and extraordinary hosts. – Alonso from Colombia – 29 May 2025 (10/10)

  The food was excellent. The hosts were very kind, always with a smile on their faces, and displayed good humor and respect. The transport service from and to the train station was excellent. I fully recommend this Riad.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing.

• Exceptional – Arleta from Canada – 21 May 2025 (10/10)

  Beautiful Riad, from the moment you walk in, you will be surrounded by beautiful interiors and most importantly wonderful team. Well located in the medina to reach Jemaa el fna square in less than 15 minutes! The rooms are spotless clean, breakfast served daily very tasty. A big thank you to the entire team for special hospitality and especially to Kamal who welcomed us when we arrived and helped us with buying a SIM card.

• Thoroughly recommended as an oasis of calm in a bustling city – Liz from France – 19 May 2025 (9/10)

  Calm in a bustling location. Lovely balance of space, presence, service and warmth from staff. Bed extremely comfortable. The evening meal (which you need to order in advance and can eat on the roof terrace) was really lovely.
  
  What could be improved: We did not know in advance that alcohol was not served on the premises (perhaps we did not look clearly enough), but in the end did not miss it.

• Superb – Severin from Austria – 17 May 2025 (9/10)

  Breakfast was very delicious

• Exceptional – Erlend from Norway – 21 April 2025 (10/10)

  Very nice riad! Lovely pool, and friendly and helpful staff.

• Fantastic experience! – Grethe from Italy – 20 April 2025 (10/10)

  The Riad is absolutely lovely! Very clean and comfotable (as the photos). Breakfast is fantastic. The staff is very helpful, polite and caring both before and during the stay. They helped ua organize a hot air balloon flight which all went just after the plan and was a fantastic experience. I can only recommend this Riad. Several reviews mention the area. We never felt unsafe and the location is comfortable for all the turist attractions. Fantastic experience!!

• Exceptional – Tessa from Ireland – 20 April 2025 (10/10)

  We had a wonderful stay at Riad Baba Ali and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area! From the moment we arrived, the service was excellent. The staff were incredibly helpful and full of knowledge about the best local sites to see — their recommendations really helped us make the most of our time in the Medina.
  
  As my partner has some mobility issues, we really appreciated how thoughtful and accommodating they were. They arranged tuk-tuks and taxis whenever we needed them, which made getting around so much easier and more enjoyable.
  
  Our room was spotless, very cosy, and comfortable — a perfect place to unwind after a busy day. The breakfasts each morning were of a really high standard, beautifully presented and absolutely delicious.
  
  What made our stay truly memorable was the warm and genuine hospitality of all the staff. Everyone we interacted with went above and beyond to make our time special. We felt incredibly well looked after throughout and wouldn’t hesitate to stay at Riad Baba Ali again!

• Fabulous stay in a gorgeous Riad. – Brian from United Kingdom – 18 April 2025 (10/10)

  An absolutely fabulous stay in this charming Riad. It was a complete oasis of peace and tranquility after busy days exploring Marrakesh. The staff are all amazing. They couldn’t do enough for us and made our stay very enjoyable. Breakfast was delicious and freshly prepared every morning. We had a very comfortable bed and our room was immaculate. Our taxi transfers to and from the airport were great and booked through the Riad. A great stay – thank you to the very special staff!

Surroundings

Facilities