Riad l’Esprit des Patios & Spa

Riad l’Esprit des Patios & Spa Overview

You know how sometimes you stumble into a place and immediately think “okay, this is exactly what I was hoping for”? That’s Riad l’Esprit des Patios & Spa. Tucked away on Derb Lalla Chacha – and honestly, good luck finding it without your phone GPS because these medina streets are a maze – this riad feels like someone’s elegant family home that just happens to have a few extra bedrooms. The entrance is so unassuming you’ll probably walk past it twice, but once you step through that heavy wooden door, you’re in a completely different world. The central courtyard hits you first – all that gorgeous zellij tilework and the sound of water trickling from the fountain. I mean, it’s almost cliché how perfect it looks, but somehow it doesn’t feel touristy or staged.

What really got me was how quiet it is once you’re inside. The medina can be… a lot, especially during the day when the souks are in full swing, but this place is like a sanctuary. The patios (there are actually several, hence the name) each have their own personality – some with orange trees, others with more intimate seating areas where you can actually have a conversation without shouting. The spa is small but really well done, and after a day of navigating the chaos around Jemaa el-Fnaa, that hammam treatment feels like a necessity, not a luxury. The staff genuinely knows their stuff too – they’ll give you the real directions to places, not just the tourist-friendly version, and they’re honest about timing (like how long it actually takes to walk to the Bahia Palace, which is longer than you think).

The rooms themselves are what you’d expect from a good riad – traditional Moroccan design but with modern touches that actually work. The beds are comfortable, the air conditioning is reliable (crucial in summer), and the bathrooms have decent water pressure, which isn’t always a given in these old buildings. Location-wise, you’re deep enough in the medina to feel authentic but close enough to the main squares that you won’t get completely lost trying to find your way back after dinner. It’s maybe a 10-minute walk to the main drag, though those 10 minutes can feel like 30 when you’re tired and the alleyways all start looking the same. But honestly, that’s part of the charm – you’re staying in the real Marrakech, not some sanitized hotel district. The 9-star rating makes sense; it’s not perfect, but it’s the kind of place that makes you want to extend your stay just so you can spend more time in those beautiful courtyards.

Riad l’Esprit des Patios & Spa Accommodations

Reviews of Riad l’Esprit des Patios & Spa

• Would definitely stay here again and highly reccomend to anyone visiting Marrakesh. – Simra from United Kingdom – 6 July 2025 (10/10)

  A truly amazing stay at the Riyad.
  Personally want to thank the host Khadija for being so attentive and welcoming.
  Hafida for making us feel so comfortable, being so kind and warming. ❤️
  Younees who also made us feel so comfortable, always finding time for us.
  The countless trips you did up to the terrace to serve my family breakfast and refreshments, I cannot thank enough.
  Spa facilities are amazing, highly recommend so private and relaxing.
  Family friendly Riyad, so peaceful.
  Close to Jemma el fna 5-7 minute walk. Many many restaurants and cafes close by to the Riyad.

• A beautiful Riyad, with amazing staff, highly recommend. – Simra from United Kingdom – 6 July 2025 (10/10)

  A Truly Unforgettable Stay – Like a Home Away From Home
  
  I recently had the pleasure of staying at a beautiful Riyad in Marrakech, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. From the moment we walked through the door, we were made to feel like family. The level of hospitality, attention to detail, and comfort was beyond anything I could have imagined.
  
  Cleanliness & Facilities:
  The Riyad was spotlessly clean, beautifully maintained, and tastefully decorated with traditional Moroccan touches that gave it an authentic charm. The moment you enter, you're welcomed with the incredible scent that fills the air—instantly calming and inviting. Our room was well-equipped and very private, offering a peaceful retreat from the bustle of the Medina. One of the standout features was the private spa—absolutely serene, quiet, and luxurious. I cannot stress enough how relaxing and private the entire space felt.
  
  Location:
  Perfectly located, just a 5–7 minute walk to Jemaa el-Fnaa and close to must-see attractions like Jardin Majorelle and Koutoubia Mosque. It's in a quiet area of the Medina, so you’re never too far from the action, but always guaranteed a restful night.
  
  Service & Staff:
  Now, this is where the Riyad truly shines. The staff made our experience unforgettable, and I want to personally thank each of them:
  
  Khadija, our host, went above and beyond for us. In the 40+ degree heat, she kindly arranged a fridge just for us and welcomed us with refreshments the moment we arrived. Her tour of the Riyad and warm personality immediately made us feel at ease. Thank you for your care and attention, Khadija—you truly made our stay special.
  Hafida was a joy to be around—so attentive, hardworking, and incredibly caring. Her warming personality made us feel right at home. I absolutely loved our conversations, and thank you for looking after my family so wonderfully.
  Younees was a treasure—so knowledgeable about the area, helpful, and always made time for us.
  
  What could be improved: Everything was amazing.

• Best place! – Marianna from Poland – 28 June 2025 (10/10)

  We liked the location which is in the centre but in the quiet part at the same time. We loved the smell inside and the patio inside was just beautiful. The staff was very nice and they were serving us these delicious juices from time to time. We liked also the breakfast.

• Beautiful, comfortable, and exceptionally clean Riad, right, right in the middle of the Medina, run by very nice and fri – Jimena from Mexico – 26 June 2025 (9/10)

  Staff members are super nice, helpful, very friendly
  Location is great breakfast and hammam are the best! Rooms are great and Clean, very comfortable
  100% recommended
  
  What could be improved: Maybe our bathroom was the only thing we could think of. The bath/shower curtain was short so water was kind of everywhere, and shower head maybe need an update. Nothing big but that would make the place a 100%!

• Exceptional – Man from United Kingdom – 21 June 2025 (10/10)

  I had a really good experience thanks to Youness, one of the staff at the riad. On one of the days, we had to check out very early, around 6:30 in the morning, and I asked if there was any chance we could have breakfast before the usual 8:30 start. What touched me the most was that Youness actually came to wake us up at 5:30 in the morning. He remembered exactly what we had discussed and made sure nothing was forgotten. Even though it was so early, he prepared breakfast for us and by 6:30 everything was ready before we left for our desert trip. It was such a thoughtful gesture and truly moving.
  
  During our stay, he was always attentive and helpful. Whenever we had questions, he took the time to explain things clearly, whether it was about the desert, local taxi services, or how to order food. Although his English was not perfect, he made a real effort to communicate with us and we really appreciated that.
  
  There was a small misunderstanding about the room payment, but Youness handled it with sincerity and respect. Even though communication was not always smooth, he remained honest and we were charged the correct amount in the end. His genuine and straightforward manner helped us feel at ease.
  
  What stood out the most was his sincere and honest attitude. He came across as someone trustworthy and kind. He never tried to push or sell anything to us. That kind of care and integrity is rare and it made our stay feel safe, respectful and memorable.

• Really relaxing stay, the staff were super friendly and made us feel well taken care of. – Man from United Kingdom – 21 June 2025 (9/10)

  I had a great stay at this hotel and wanted to give a special mention to Hafida, one of the staff members. On our last day, she was really helpful and thoughtful. She noticed we were feeling quite hot and immediately offered us a fan, which was such a kind gesture.
  
  I also asked her to help arrange a Hamam (traditional bath) experience, and she handled everything smoothly. The service itself was relaxing, and afterwards, they even gave us a refreshing fruit drink with ice — it felt really special and showed how much they care about their guests.
  
  Hafida also helped us book a taxi to the airport, and that went without any issues, which made our departure stress-free.
  
  In general, the staff were all very friendly. Even the older lady who seemed to be the manager always greeted us warmly. Most of the staff could speak English, which made things easy for us. While we were waiting around, they even brought us some treats, which was a nice surprise.
  
  Overall, the service was thoughtful, and we felt really well looked after. I’d definitely recommend this hotel to anyone visiting.

• Superb – Toni from United Kingdom – 17 June 2025 (9/10)

  The location was great, the staff were friendly and professional. The Spa was absolutely amazing!
  
  What could be improved: We had breakfast included, however we left the Riad both mornings by 9.15am but breakfast didn't start until 9.30am so we missed out both mornings.

• Enjoyable trip to a lovely Riad – Zeshan from United Kingdom – 12 June 2025 (10/10)

  Our stay at Riad L'Esprit Des Patios & Spa was amazing. The staff were extremely helpful, the Riad was very cozy, with modern bathrooms in each room, and much needed AC. There is a nice little pool on the roof, we had numerous days just staying in the Riad, enjoying the pool and private roof.
  We began our trip waiting at the airport for 15 minutes as the taxi driver was late, the only negative part of the trip was the taxi drivers, but that's the experience across Marrakesh. The Taxi Driver, Hicham, was late due to watching the football, he also tried to upsell us sim cards, and then upon arriving near the Riad he set us up with these boys to carry our bags, he handed them our bags directly without our consent, these boys then went onto saying they worked at the Riad. Hicham asked for a tip, which we refused due to his lateness. When we got to the Riad, which wasn't more than a 30 second walk, the boys demanded payment for their service. This is when an argument erupted. Abdel then went to call Hicham and shouted at him too. Abdel was a pleasure to interact with and reassured us that this shouldn't sour the start of our holiday.
  
  The next morning Abdel served us a delicious breakfast on the roof, it was delicious and a very picturesque breakfast setting. We then went to convert our Money, and as Abdel was heading out he offered to show us the best currency exchange for a strong return. It's called Hotel Ali in Jemaa Fina square. Roughly a 10-15 min walk from the Riad. I would recommend this exchange as they had better rates than other exchanges closer to the Riad.
  
  After this our holiday began and we were in and out of the Riad exploring Marrakech. Notably, the cleaner, Ilham, was extremely polite and sweet with me and my family members. On the odd occasion we returned to the room whilst she was cleaning she allowed us to go and grab our bits and bobs before she finished cleaning. She was especially nice to my mother who is closer to her…

• Awesome Youness, great road – Cleve from Australia – 9 June 2025 (10/10)

  Delicious dinner at the rooftop
  Fantastic service from the staff and helpful reception (Youness) Thanks kindly for your efforts. You clearly have a passion for your job.
  
  Great location and decent wifi connection
  
  What could be improved: Pool is a little small but sufficient to cool off.

• Short and sweet – Carol from United Kingdom – 6 June 2025 (10/10)

  Friendly staff, comfortable room and bed. Staff were accommodating with tea on arrival and they made sure we got breakfast before we left early. Good location in Marrakech.
  
  What could be improved: Our stay was too brief.

Surroundings

Facilities