34 Derb l'Hotel, Bab Doukkala, Marrakech, Morocco | (888) 551-4925
Courtyard pool with a solarium, and a small spa
Roof terrace with gardens and big loungers
Free airport transport
Free guided city tours for guests staying more than three
days
Free soft drinks
The restaurant offers cooking classes
Fresh fruit, bottled water, and scattered red rose petals in
the rooms upon arrival
Breakfast served on demand in your room or on the terrace
The pool is small and shaded by the courtyard walls
Kids 12 years old and younger are not allowed (pro for some)
Lunch and dinner must be ordered in advance
Just one restaurant, serving Moroccan cuisine
Some rooms require climbing steep stairs to access
Cars are not allowed to drive to the riad, so arriving
requires some walking
The hotel is not convenient for business travelers
The lovingly restored 18th-century Riad Kniza is a luxurious
11-room hideout in the heart of Marrakech's old city. The hotel's serene
atmosphere and authentic Moroccan decor attract well-seasoned travelers who
prefer to explore the sites of the old city and then return to a plush, quiet
retreat. The rooms are spacious with fireplaces and lots of Moorish detail and
there are several courtyards and gorgeously decorated salons in which to enjoy a leisurely
Moroccan meal. It's one of the top boutique options in the Medina, but if it's booked, travelers can also consider the comparable (if slightly larger) La Maison Arabe or La Sultana.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
An intimate, upscale retreat with authentic Moroccan flair that caters to romantics and well-seasoned travelers
Riad Kniza, which means "little treasure" in
Arabic, lives up to its name. The intimate hotel is the product of owner and
antiques dealer, Haj Mohamed Bouskri, who restored the riad using traditional
materials and local artisans. The result is an authentic Moroccan hideaway with
spacious rooms and suites and plenty of inviting, impeccably decorated public
spaces and nooks in which to dine or lounge. With no children under age 12 admitted, the hotel caters to
an upscale travelers and romantics looking to stay within the Medina.
Guests can explore the nearby sights -- Jema l' Fna square, the souks,
and monuments -- and then retreat at the end of their journey to the quietness
behind Riad Kniza's walls. While the hotel has just one restaurant, guests
are allowed to choose their dining place within the open courtyards lined with
Moroccan lanterns or inside one of the cozy salons adorned with jewel-toned
Moroccan chandeliers, fireplaces with intricate tile work, cabinets displaying
antique pottery, and furnishings covered in rich fabric. The riad also offers
a roof terrace with gardens and oversized day beds, a petite spa, and a courtyard pool with a
solarium decorated with colorful blue tiles and a green Murano glass chandelier.
Location
In the heart of the Medina, close to a local's market and 12-minute drive to the Marrakech Airport
The hotel is in the Bab Doukkala quarter in heart of the Medina (old city),
surrounded by narrow passageways and close to a local's market. The hotel is
not accessible by car, but there is parking nearby (a five-minute walk). The location is not quite in the heart of the historic center, as it's a 20-minute walk to Jemaa el Fna, the main square and marketplace. - 15-minute walk to the Koutoubia Mosque
Rooms
Spacious rooms and suites richly decorated with antiques and the colors and textiles of Morocco
Riad Kniza offers 11 spacious rooms and suites built around
three open-air courtyards. Serene and colorful, the rooms are collaboration
between old and new with jewel-toned Moroccan chandeliers, fireplaces with
intricate tile work, and floor-to-ceiling carved wood headboards that tower
over the beds. The rooms also come equipped with modern amenities such as air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs,
Wi-Fi, and safes. Rooms are located on the first or second floors of the riad
and are classified in four categories distinguished mostly by size. Deluxe and
Superior Deluxe rooms offer separate seating areas while the Junior Suites and
Suites have separate living rooms. The colors of Morocco -- red, persimmon,
gold, and cobalt blue -- feature prominently in the decor. Bathrooms are
finished in cream-colored marble with separate tubs and showers with oversized
shower heads.
Features
An intimate spa, a courtyard pool with solarium, private salons, and open-air courtyards
For such an intimate property, Riad Kniza has an impressive array of features, including a courtyard swimming pool with a solarium. It is small, but then so is the hotel -- though it should be noted that it's shaded by the courtyard walls, so it's not a great place to soak up the sun. For that, guests should head to the rooftop terrace with oversized loungers, which is decorated with cacti and potted plants and feels like a serene oasis. Pergolas with curtains and cushioned patio furniture are also on hand here for those who'd like privacy or a break in the shade. Guests can also take (free) breakfast on the terrace, or in their rooms. Lunch and dinner are only available with advance notice, and can be taken in one of the three open-air courtyards or four private salons (three of which have fireplaces). Cooking workshops are available in the hotel kitchen. There's also a small spa with sauna, massage room, and hammam. Roundtrip airport transfers are included in the rate.
