Riad Kaïss, Marrakesh

Advantages: Rooms and food are great, very relaxing
Disadvantages: Location, location, location!

...We have just returned from spending the Easter weekend at Riad O2 in Marrakech. Prior to visiting Marrakech we had good email contact with the riad, and we confirmed with them that we would like to be collected from the airport and have dinner in the riad on our first night. We then arranged to pay the outstanding balance by bank transfer. We arrived at Menara airport after a really easy three hour flight, and we were quickly met by one of the riad's drivers, Hamid. He helped us to his car with our bags and we set off for the medina. Having read a couple of reviews on other sites before leaving we were a little wary of the area that Riad O2 is situated in, and unfortunately on arriving I have to admit our worries were confirmed. Hamid pulled up at the end of a road near Sidi Ben Slimane, and we then walked for three or four... Read review

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Advantages: A really foreign experience
Disadvantages: Too hot in July

...Jaded with trips abroad? Fed up with touristy jaunts? Try out Marrakesh for a real taste of what travelling must have once been like. We went on a 2 week package to Agadir, and, growing tired of the beach culture yet not wanting to buy into a packaged bus trip, we booked ourselves on the (real) bus to Marrakesh for a few days - really cheap, 70 dirhams, about £4.50 each way. The trip was easy - about 4 and a half hours on an air-conditioned bus, dropping us at the bus station on the outskirts of the Old City. We were mobbed by petit taxi drivers offering to take us to our destination, and took one of them up on it - a 'riad' (meaning old merchant's house which has been done up) just off the famous square of Djema el Fnaa. The taxi was bargained for and cost just over a pound to take us to the hotel. We had to go down... Read review

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Advantages: good food, clean, great cocktails, nice rooms
Disadvantages: --------------------

...Ok, tajines and couscous are delicious, but, after several days of having these, me and my boyfriend needed something else, something... Italian and cheesy . So, we saught out Cafe Arabe, a restaurant (and inn) hidden within the medina. WOW. This place is COOL. Gorgeous. Enchanting. With both covered patio-type seating, a swanky little bar, indoor seating and delicious drinks upon the terrace with a view of Marrakesh you'll love. I did great pictures of this place. Owned by Italians, ( the owner is from Milano and the manager from Reggio Emilia, the city of the Parmesancheese, tortellini) you'll find a varied selection of traditional Moroccan and Italin offerings on the menu. As well as a nice wine list. A blend of funky, artsy decor and good ambient music. We began with an unusual appetizer of baked ham, mushrooms and cheese... Read review

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