"We stayed at Riad Ksar Spa Hotel for three nights to mark a birthday and unwind. Overall, we had a pleasant stay and there is much to recommend about the property. The riad is beautiful, peaceful, well located for exploring Marrakech, and the hammam and massage treatments were excellent. The local staff were friendly and welcoming throughout our stay.
There were, however, a few aspects that future guests may wish to be aware of. Bottled water is not provided complimentary and must be purchased, as do tea and coffee. There are also no tea or coffee-making facilities or irons in the rooms. While these are relatively minor points, they are amenities some travellers may expect at this price point.
The main issue for us was the hotel's approach to noise. We were asked to lower our voices on two occasions, including when entering our rooms upon check in when asking questions, and at around 9.30am when making an enquiry about the spa. We fully understand the importance of maintaining a peaceful environment and respecting other guests, but being "shushed" while making an enquiry about booking a second spa treatment made us feel we may be more welcomed elsewhere and we didn't book again sadly. We felt there should be room for normal conversation without feeling self-conscious, particularly as there was only one other guest at the time the comments were made.
We raised this feedback with Oliver, who listened, apologised, and handled the discussion professionally, which we appreciated. However, the experience had already affected our overall impression of the stay.
It is also worth noting that although the hotel advertises 24-hour service, guests returning after midnight are asked to call or WhatsApp in advance so staff can let them in and keep track of who is entering and leaving. This is understandable from a security perspective, but combined with the emphasis on quietness it contributed to a slightly restrictive atmosphere. Guests should also be aware that evening meals need to be ordered in advance rather than requested spontaneously later in the evening.
Future guests should also know that the riad is located down a narrow street that vehicles cannot access directly. This is common in Marrakech and not a criticism, but there was no lighting immediately outside the entrance during our stay and the surrounding area can feel quite dark at night, which some travellers, particularly women may wish to consider.
Overall, this is a charming riad with an excellent location, very good spa facilities, and a genuinely tranquil environment. However, travellers looking for a relaxed stay where they can comfortably interact with staff, celebrate a special occasion, and enjoy normal conversation may find the hotel's particularly strong emphasis on quietness does not suit their expectations."
