Riad Kiwi

Riad Kiwi Overview

You know what caught me off guard about Riad Kiwi? I was expecting another typical tourist riad, but honestly, this place feels like someone’s incredibly stylish Moroccan aunt decided to open her home to travelers. It’s tucked away on Derb el Cadi – and I mean really tucked away, down one of those narrow alleys in the medina where you’ll definitely get lost at least once trying to find it. But that’s actually part of the charm, because once you’re inside those heavy wooden doors, the chaos of the medina just… disappears.

The whole place revolves around this gorgeous central courtyard with a fountain that’s not just for show – you’ll actually find yourself gravitating toward it throughout the day. The rooms are what I’d call authentically Moroccan without being over-the-top touristy about it. Traditional tiles, yes, but they’re not trying to cram every possible Moroccan design element into one space. The beds are surprisingly comfortable (I mean, some riads really phone it in on the mattresses), and the bathrooms have proper hot water pressure – something you can’t take for granted in the old medina buildings. Most rooms overlook the courtyard, which means you get that lovely morning light but also the sound of water trickling, which is incredibly soothing after a day of navigating the souks.

What really sets this place apart is the staff’s approach – they’re not hovering, but they seem to genuinely know the medina inside and out. The guy at reception gave me directions to this tiny spice shop that I never would have found otherwise, and when I mentioned wanting to avoid the main tourist restaurant strips, he pointed me toward a family-run place about ten minutes away where I had some of the best tagine of my trip. The rooftop terrace is where you’ll want to spend your evenings, by the way – you get these incredible views over the medina rooftops, and during sunset the whole city takes on this golden glow that’s pretty magical. It gets busy up there around cocktail hour, but if you go up mid-afternoon with a book, you’ll often have it to yourself. Fair warning though – the call to prayer echoes beautifully from up there, but it also means you’ll hear it clearly five times a day, which some people love and others… well, let’s just say bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper. The location means you’re walking distance from Jemaa el-Fnaa, but you’re far enough into the residential part of the medina that it feels authentic rather than like a tourist theme park.

Riad Kiwi Accommodations

Surroundings

Facilities