Africa - Which riad in Marrakesh?

Looking for a recommendation for a good riad in Marrakesh which won't break the bank. Looking for something under about £150 per night for a double room.

In April I'm not sure if aircon is necessary so any advice is welcome (not many seem to have it anyway). Also for a stay of 4 nights would you go for a riad which had additional services such as a hammam on site. Or is 4 nights too long just to stay in Marrakesh?

Do all riads serve good food or should we consider that in our choice? We like good food and it's a bonus if we don't have to stagger far to get it.

Have looked at the Farnatchi and the Fenn but both are a bit pricey though look lovely. Possibly considering the Dar Cigognes, the Maison Arabe or the Casa Lalla but any other suggestions would be welcome.

I'm heading there in two weeks and have decided to book the Arabe. I did a lot of research on fodors and tripadvisor, etc. and concluded that while i'm impressed that Fenn has Richard Branson's sister as an owner and hotel manager, it was too pricey. Have read no less than a dozen good reports on Arabe. I'm doing four nights as well since i wanted to take a day cooking class at the restaurant attached to Arabe. I will post up more when i return at months end, but i'm comfortable that i made a good decision.



Looking for a recommendation for a good riad in Marrakesh which won't break the bank. Looking for something under about £150 per night for a double room.

In April I'm not sure if aircon is necessary so any advice is welcome (not many seem to have it anyway). Also for a stay of 4 nights would you go for a riad which had additional services such as a hammam on site. Or is 4 nights too long just to stay in Marrakesh?

Do all riads serve good food or should we consider that in our choice? We like good food and it's a bonus if we don't have to stagger far to get it.

Have looked at the Farnatchi and the Fenn but both are a bit pricey though look lovely. Possibly considering the Dar Cigognes, the Maison Arabe or the Casa Lalla but any other suggestions would be welcome.

Randy
How did this stay go? any details appreciated .
Also what sort of cost involved and did they pick you up from the airport.?

thanks

I booked the Riad l'Orangeraie in the end but don't go there until 7th April. Have PM'ed you Tinkybelle.

I just posted to this thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5430740&postcount=3 about another Marrakech riad that I stayed in and absolutely loved. I can't wait to visit Marrakech again, and would definitely stay at this riad again. (In answer to the question about whether 4 days is too many, I spent 4 nights in Marrakech and never ran out of things to see and do.) I hope you have a wonderful time.

Returned from Marrakesh on Tuesday. Ended up splitting our stay between Casa Lalla just south of the Medina and Riad L'Orangeraie at the north of the Medina. Booked Casa Lalla to try Richard Neat's food as he cooks primarily for guests and it's difficult to get in to eat otherwise. (He was a 2 star Michelin chef before showing up in Marrakesh.)

Casa Lalla would be my recommendation of the two places. The food was excellent, Richard and his French wife Sophie were excellent hosts (friendly and helpful) and Casa Lalla itself, while small, was stylish and peaceful. I think as their reputation spreads it'll get more difficult to get into.

Riad L'Orangeraie was a little bigger and the rooms themselves were also bigger. It was in a handy location for the other restaurants we wanted to eat at and they were also helpful and friendly. However one negative was that when we ate at the riad on the last night they forgot that I don't eat meat. They'd booked other restaurants for us and advised them so I'd been fine with fish and veggie stuff elsewhere but the communication between the manager and the riad cook got confused.

We wouldn't have wanted to spend longer than 4 nights in Marrakesh though we would have liked to travel more in the mountains. Took a day trip to Kasbah du Toukbal and the scenery was stunning. Passed Kasbah Tamadot on the way and it didn't look in such a good situation. Nice views of foothills rather than mountains but with a main road behind.

One really good thing was the lack of hassle we had from vendors and tour guides. Apparently the king has stated that it's an offence now to hassle tourists, so they don't. From being prepared for a lot of 'no, thanks, etc' it was great to wander even in the souks without having to fend people off all the time.

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Can anyone tell me their experience, good & bad, about this airline?

I have flown a couple of times with them (Paris to Marrakech) and it was OK.
Service, food, leg room, etc...