Derb Jdid 58, Douar Graoua, Marrakech, Morocco | (618) 248-8274
Traditional guesthouse with a prime medina location
Upscale decor throughout with distinctive Moroccan touches
Attractive guest rooms have shared balconies and living rooms
Rooftop terrace with covered seating and sun loungers
Open courtyard with small but inviting plunge pool
Free Moroccan breakfast that gets favorable reviews
In-room massage available (fee)
Free Wi-Fi throughout
No full restaurant or bar (lunch and dinner by appointment)
Limited facilities; no spa or hammam
Guest rooms lack kettles and coffeemakers
The four-pearl Riad 58 Blu is a traditionally styled guesthouse located in the heart of the medina. It's a smaller riad, with only five guest rooms and no bar or formal dining room, but it has a pleasant rooftop terrace with loungers and cafe tables for meals and taking in views. Highlights include a free Moroccan breakfast and a welcoming central courtyard with a tiny plunge pool that's more ornamental than some, but still creates the classic atmosphere travelers are looking for in a place like this. Guest rooms are upscale and individually decorated with distinctive Moroccan touches, and all feature shared balconies, spacious living rooms, and free Wi-Fi. The similar Riad Houdou adds a dining room and a spa, along with a larger rooftop terrace.
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Scene
Atmospheric traditional guesthouse with a rooftop terrace and central courtyard
Riad 58 Blu occupies a building that dates to 1870, and opened in 2008 deep within the historic medina. The streets outside are winding, cobbled, and get a lot of moped traffic heading in the direction of the main square, but the immediate area isn't touristy; shops sell bricks, ironwork, and construction materials more than gifts and souvenirs. The entrance is down the narrowest of alleys, behind a studded metal door. Inside, the hotel is kitted out in a traditional style, with ornately tiled floors and walls, and upscale details. Dark-wood accents and potted plants add earthy ambiance to the bright, open courtyard with a tiny plunge pool. The property is owned and operated by a charming Italian host, who has added some decidedly more European touches, such as zebra print cushions and pillows on the rooftop terrace. Guests are mostly couples, with some families and friends traveling in groups.
Location
Down a narrow alley in the medina, a 10-minute walk to Djemaa el-Fna
The riad is deep in the medina, an 11th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site with bustling souks and secluded shady courtyards. The property is hard to find, situated down a narrow alley, with the closest street being Douar Groua -- a good reference point when asking for directions from locals. The famous Djemaa el-Fna square -- full of snake charmers, fortune tellers, orange juice vendors, and nighttime food stalls -- is about 10 minutes away on foot, and most of the old city's tourist attractions are within walking distance. There is no direct car access to due to the location, but taxis can be found on the south side of Djemaa el-Fna. Marrakech Menara Airport is about a 20-minute drive away.
Rooms
Upscale Moroccan decor, with spacious living areas and shared balconies
There are only five guest rooms, all of which are individually decorated within the bounds of what's typical for a riad; painted plaster walls, colorfully tiled floors, and intricately carved cornices. Wood furnishings and rich fabrics round out the look, and all rooms open to the shared balconies overlooking the central courtyard. Most rooms have double beds, along with work desks and spacious seating areas with loveseats or couches. One larger suite adds a fireplace. Free Wi-Fi comes standard, along with flat-screen TVs and minibars, but there are no kettles or coffeemakers. The bathrooms vary just as widely in design, but all have shower/tub combos (some with rainfall showerheads), bidets, and toiletries.
Features
Courtyard with plunge pool, rooftop terrace, plus free breakfast, but limited facilities
Facilities at the riad are simple, and centered around either the interior courtyard, with its petite plunge pool, or the rooftop terrace, where a covered seating area has plenty of tables, chairs, and cushioned banquettes. There's also a tiny separate section up a few steps that has a pair of sun loungers. The hotel lacks a full restaurant and bar, but a free Moroccan breakfast that many guests enjoy can be served in-room or on the terrace. Home-cooked snacks, lunches, and dinners (usually a tagine) can be arranged in advance (fee), and served on the terrace or in the courtyard. There's no fitness room, spa, or hammam on-site, though for an extra fee in-room massage can be booked. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
