Hotel
La Mamounia
Marrakech's grand palace hotel since 1929, set in historic gardens inside the medina walls, with four restaurants, four bars, a large spa and outdoor pools.
Riad Dar One
A small guesthouse of five rooms and one suite in the Mellah, with a plunge pool in the patio, a rooftop terrace with bar and home-cooked Moroccan dinners.
At a glance
- Type
- Boutique guesthouse
- Area
- Mellah, Marrakech, Morocco
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- riad-dar-one.com
Good to know
- Six rooms and suites
- Patio pool
- Rooftop terrace with bar
- Table d'hôte dinners
- Airport transfers
Why we recommend it
Riad Dar One is a small, friendly guesthouse in the Mellah, the historic Jewish quarter of the southern medina. It has just six places to stay, five rooms and one suite, each named after a theme drawn from the desert and literature, including Dune, Mirage, Oasis, Sirocco and two named in honour of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and his Little Prince. The scale means that guests are looked after personally and the house rarely feels busy.
Rooms open onto the central patio, which has a pool for cooling off after a day of sightseeing. Upstairs, the panoramic roof terrace has sunshades, a bar and a dining area, and it is the natural gathering place at breakfast and in the evening. In cooler months, a lounge with a fireplace is used for dinners.
A chef prepares traditional Moroccan dinners on request, table d'hôte style, and lunch is available too, which is a practical option in a neighbourhood with fewer restaurants than the central medina. The riad can arrange hammam visits and massages through trusted local partners, and private airport transfers are available. It is open all year, with check-in from 14:00 and check-out by 11:00.
The guesthouse suits couples, solo travellers and small groups who want a quiet, authentic base with good value for money. The direct-booking offers on the official website include a best-rate guarantee, upgrades subject to availability, dinner included for stays of two nights or more, a free transfer from three nights and free cancellation up to 24 hours before arrival. Book ahead for spring and autumn.
The Mellah location puts several major sights within easy walking distance: the Bahia Palace and El Badi Palace are a few minutes away, the Lazama Synagogue is in the same quarter, and the Saadian Tombs are a short walk further west. Jemaa el-Fnaa is around fifteen minutes on foot. Taxis can reach the edge of the Mellah, and the riad can advise on the final short walk. Kosybar and the cafés of Place des Ferblantiers are nearby for a drink at sunset. Contact the riad by phone or WhatsApp for availability, or book through the official website to receive the direct-booking benefits.
Riad Dar One FAQs
How many rooms does Riad Dar One have?
Five rooms and one suite.
Does it have a pool?
Yes. There is a pool in the central patio.
Is there a roof terrace?
Yes. The rooftop terrace has sunshades, a bar and a dining area.
Can you eat dinner at the riad?
Yes. A chef prepares traditional Moroccan dinners on request.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out by 11:00.
Are airport transfers available?
Yes. Private airport transfers can be arranged.
What is nearby?
The Bahia Palace, El Badi Palace and the Lazama Synagogue are within walking distance.