any recommendation's in Riad's , I'm still considering whether heading to a Riad ( Enija , W or the newly openend Angsana ) or to the Amanjena .

lots of discussion here... IIRC riad farnatchi was one of the best regarded. amanjena gets mixed reviews.

Many people do both - splitting their time in RAK between one of the decent riads (and I am a big fan of Farnatchi) and one of the places in the Palmeraie. I suspect it is because sometimes the medina is much of a muchness, and the riads have limited facilities. Or, you could try splitting the difference and staying at the Mamounia.

The best combination for me is 3 nights at Villa des Orangers, which is by far the best Riad in town (avoid Angsana like the plague), followed by 4 nights at Amanjena in a pool pavilion (or if you really want to splurge, then one of the Maisons, which are stunning).

Thank you ,so that's what I exactly did , I booked 3 night's in Villa des Orangers because of the food ( someone told me it's one of the best in town ) and just for wondering how it is 2 night's in Amanjena

And don't forget Richard Branson's place there....looks fab.

Just back from Aman India. Trip report coming soon.

I agree with choice of Villa des Orangers and Amanjena. At Villa des orangers get a suite with roof top terrace next to the small pool (not heated unlike the big one), great place to have breakfast and late afternoon drinks when the sun goes down. At Amanjena Maisons are the choice. enjoy your stay!

Amanjena must be the worst place I have ever staid at. The service, the food, the rooms and the spa are appalling. Overall the site is magnificent, but the rooms are outdated and the food is really bad except for the Thai restaurant, but is that what one goes to Marrakech for?

In any riad you will get the same level of service with much better food and more typical ambiance, and certainly in a more convenient location.

Avoid at all costs Amanjena, I've been to poor Aman's but this one beats them all.

Amanjena? When were you there?!! The food was exceptional in both restaurants, the maintenance of everythibng was first class and service was a dream. Are we talking about the same hotel?

amanjena is one of the amans that gets more mixed reports here, including from amanjunkies

You are right about Amanjena - I have always had an excellent time, but I do know people who have had bad experiences. I wish they would get around to building that spa they are always talking about, then maybe Amanjena would feel complete.
Did anyone go since Ferdinand Wortelboer left? I wonder if the service has changed.

I was there in Nov06, so things may have changed. When I visit a country I like to taste local food, and I particularily like Marocan food. As I said the Thai food was excellent, the problem is that there were no more than 3 typical local dishes and these where bland and uninspiring. At breakfast they tendend to forget half my order, which isn't a problem, I can get up and go and ask for things, but it is not what I expect from Aman.

I had an unenspiring massage in what can only be described as a cupbord. The staff in adjoining rooms where not particularly discreet and all I could here was rather funky music from the gym. Not exactly Como Shambala or Six Sences standards.

As for the beautifull hamam, you have to aske for it to be turned on, but they only turn it on for a 15 minute cicle at a time, so it was always cold. Again if you wanted bubles in the jacuzi you had to ask. So after all this I decided to get changed and there, you sit down on the bench and find you feet in the urinals (I am not very tall).

Anyway I can go on for hours about this place, so I wont, I'm pleased others have had good experiences here, I suppose it's all about expectations and what ones ideal holiday is all about. The hotel was full at the time, and the staff did seem a bit overwhelmed.

In my experience, Amanjena has improved since 2006, but I do agree about the hammam - it is useless. They set up a couple of spa rooms in one of the pavilions, which worked quite well, but until they commit to building their proper spa (which has been mooted for a few years now), the resort will not be 100% perfect.
Of course Aman are not very good at spas generally. I don't think Adrian Zecha gets the concept!

Any updated thoughts on riads in Marrakech for a weekend? We're looking at the Riad Joya, Riad 72, Riad Noir d'Ivoire, and Riad Tarabel. All have excellent reviews on TA, but am always curious to get inputs from fellow FlyerTalkers.

Interested to hear reviews as well.

I have currently Riad el Fenn booked for our Marrakesh trip in March, any thoughts on that? I had first reserved Riad Noir d'Ivoire which is number 1 on TA. After realising it is actually a new building and not an old "riad" house, I changed to El Fenn. As all these proporties are quite small they seem to get fully booked well in advanced.