Riad Kniza

Riad Kniza is a small luxury hotel in an 18th-century house in the Bab Doukkala area of the western medina. It was restored by Haj Mohamed Bouskri using traditional materials and the work of local artisans, and the result is a riad that feels like a family home filled with fine craftsmanship rather than a design hotel. The owners describe it as a hôtel de charme, and the personal approach to hospitality is central to its appeal.

The rooms and suites are arranged around the house's courtyards and decorated in traditional style, each with its own character. The house is quiet and intimate, and the courtyard, filled with plants and the sound of water, is a pleasant place to sit with mint tea after a day in the souks.

Facilities include a spa offering hammam and massage, a restaurant serving Moroccan cooking, and free Wi-Fi. As at most riads, the team can help with guides, excursions and restaurant reservations, so ask when you book. Special offers are published on the official website for direct bookings.

The riad suits couples and travellers who want a traditional medina stay with high standards of comfort and service, and who prefer a small, personal hotel to a large resort. It is calm enough for those who find the central medina intense, yet within walking distance of the main sights. Book ahead for spring and autumn, when the smaller riads fill first.

Riad Kniza is on Derb l'Hotel, near the Bab Doukkala gate on the western edge of the medina. Taxis can reach the gate, from where it is a short walk through the lanes, and the riad can arrange to meet arriving guests. Dar El Bacha and Bacha Coffee are within a short walk, Dar Yacout is nearby for dinner, and Jemaa el-Fnaa is around twenty minutes' walk or a short taxi ride away. Guéliz is a few minutes by taxi through Bab Doukkala. The western medina around Bab Doukkala has a more residential feel than the souks, with neighbourhood bakeries, a local market and fewer touts, which many guests appreciate. Contact the riad directly for room details and current offers, as the website lists special packages for direct bookings. Payment and cancellation terms are set out when you book.