Hotel Details
Zamzam Riad
| Region: | Marrakech and the Region |
| Location: | Marrakech |
| Season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation Type | Low | Mid | High | |
| Hagar, Ismail and Isaac Rooms |
King size bed, en-suite bathroom with shower
|
n/a | 124 € | 159 € |
| Harem and Berber Suites |
King size bed, lounge area, en-suite bathroom with bath
|
n/a | 159 € | 194 € |
| The Rose and Palm Suites |
King size bed, lounge area, satellite tv, en-suite bathroom with marble shower room, balcony (Plam only)
|
n/a | 177 € | 212 € |
| Please note: All prices are per room per night | ||||
Check Availability
Special Offers
July and August specials
4 nights for the price of 3 during July and August
Facilities
Swimming pool
Air-conditioning
Spa on site
Sunbathing area
Internet connection
Disabled friendly
Vegetarian food
Smoking
Child-friendly
Bar and drinks
In-house restaurant
OtherLaundry service on request.
Staff are able to help guests with planning their onward itineraries in Morocco.
Description
Originally home to a fortune-teller, Riad Zamzam is located in the historical and religious site of Zaouia Sidi Bel Abbess, the shrine of Sir Bel Abbess. It is now owned by Emma and Marcus Joyston-Bechal who moved to Morocco from the UK in order to restore the riad (read more on their adventures in coming to Morocco at their blog http://wwwmarrakechemma.blogspot.com/)
The Hagar, Ismail and Isaac Rooms are standard rooms offering king-size beds and en-suite bathrooms with showers. Located on the ground and first floors, these rooms differ in design. The Isaac Room is painted in sandy tones and yellows with the option to connect to the Ismail Room for a family suite. The Hagar Room (on the ground floor) is engaging in style with greens, purples and beige tones. The suites are richly decorated - chocolate, beige and cream colour the walls in the Rose Suite and boast three antique French armchairs. A large marble bath and double marble sinks allow room for two. The Berber Suite has a light feel with pistachio and yellow hues and a tadelakt room with handmade tiles.
Outside of the rooms, Zamzam has a series of communal, comfortable spaces. Of these, the terrace is a convenient place to sunbathe with beds and parasols, and a small pool open throughout the year is a welcome bonus. The salon, as well as providing board games, allows for indoor dining in cooler weather. The patio (which remains shady in hotter weather) is also a possible choice for dining, as is under the 150-year old Medjool date palm beside climbing jasmines and passion flowers.
Read MoreBreakfast is typically Moroccan, with pancakes, fruits and jams made by the riad’s staff. Lunch offers Moroccan and international dishes including salads, kebabs and sandwiches. The dinner menu is set by Emma herself each day but is fairly flexible. Chicken tagines with oranges and chocolate and fig torte are examples of what may be offered. Zamzam broadens their menu to cater for children, providing smaller portions and familiar food including omelettes, pizzas, sausages and grilled chicken. All meals are made from local, organic ingredients as far as is possible. Olive oil is created from the Zamzam groves, vegetables, citrus fruits, herbs and roses from the garden, and breads are baked in the bread oven next door. Guests are also able to book cooking lessons in the riad to learn more about what goes into Moroccan food and how to make a dish.
The hammam at Zamzam Riad is another popular aspect to the riad. Offering traditional hammam and massage for guests, it also lists various beauty and relaxation therapies such as acupuncture, hot stone therapy, reflexology and osteopathy. The spa therapies use mostly organic products sourced locally, and rely on recipes handed down from Moroccan elders.
Outside of the riad, Zamzam’s staff are able to help organise activities such as horse-riding, quad-biking and trips to a local lake for picnics, as well as excursions further afield. Transport to the main square and a guide for the souks are also made available through Zamzam Riad.
Where is it?
Zamzam is a 20 minute walk from the Marrakesh main square, a five minute walk from the La Palmeraie area, and 20 minutes from the airport by car.
Travel Times
| Airport | 20 minute drive |
| City | 20 minute walk |
| Beach | 2.5 hour drive to Essaouira |
Other useful information
Zamzam encourages responsible, low-impact tourism. By restoring a riad to its former glory Zamzam hopes to help regenerate the Medina. Throughout the renovation of the riad natural local products have been used - the marble an the cork used to insulate the hammam is also Moroccan. Local artisans were also employed to craft these materials. Natural cleaning products are used as much as possible in place of chemicals. Solar panels on the riad and recycling also feature in Zamzam.
Zamzam supports two organisations that help to educate communities (Justgiving) and research into women's health issues (WOW). These links can be found on Zamzam's website.
A riad boutique sells vintage Berber wedding blankets, hand stitched poufs, Moroccan slippers, Berber carpets and organic olive oil. Items can also be bought over the internet.
Backgammon, chess, cards, small library are available in the salon for guests wanting a more relaxing day around the riad. Cooking classes are also available.
Special occasions can be catered for and flowers, champagne and surprise gifts can also be arranged. In-house entertainment such as belly dancers and live local music can be arranged.
The hotel scores are aggregated individual user scores which have been audited as authentic and accurate through due enquiry by Morocco Gateway.
Morocco Gateway reserves the right to exclude any reviews submitted by users which cannot be validated as authentic and accurate. Equally we will resist any request from any hotel to delist any negative review.
| Condition of rooms and the hotel | 8.3 | Food and drink | 8.0 | |
| Overall cleanliness | 7.7 | Relaxation | 7.3 | |
| Pool and facilities | 7.7 | Value for money | 7.0 | |
| Quality of staff | 8.3 | Overall rating | 7.8 | |
| out of 10 | out of 10 | |||
User Reviews on Zamzam Riad
Below you'll find reviews written by our users, that have stayed in this hotel. The reviews are vetted and verified by us and may have been summarised by our editor to give you a meaningful summary.
The Editor's Summary
Zamzam riad has received positive views from a range of travellers. Couples have found the rooms “very romantic” with “opulent interiors”. Guests have enjoyed the soft lighting and “details” of the “antique” and “traditional” features specially chosen for the riad. Family groups have also visited and found their trip to run smoothly thanks to the “warm-hearted hosts” who have been called “brilliant organisers”, and which guests have felt “comfortable” asking advice from. Meals at the riad have been praised for being “freshly prepared, cleanly presented, and very tasty”. Additionally the “special menu for children” allows peace of mind. Other features of Zamzam riad include the spa facility that guests have “indulged in” and found the treatments “fantastic”. The only criticism guests have made is of the location that may not be suitable for those wanting “the city on their doorstep” as the riad is situated at “a twenty minute walk from the souks/main square”. 
Although slightly further out than some riads we enjoyed our stay in zamzam. We were met and taken to the riad on arrival. We were made very welcome and shown to the harem room. Very romantic and my partner adored the details in the room. The lighting is also a special feature of the riad – very soft and makes the antique, traditional features stand out. We were sad to only spend two nights here but we are hoping to come back to experience more of zamzam in the future.
| Condition of rooms and the hotel | 8.0 | Food and drink | 6.0 | |
| Overall cleanliness | 7.0 | Relaxation | 8.0 | |
| Pool and facilities | 7.0 | Value for money | 6.0 | |
| Quality of staff | 7.0 | Overall rating | 7.0 | |
| out of 10 | out of 10 | |||
Zamzam riad was the perfect choice for us (my husband and I and our two children). Obviously going to Morocco is a concern with young children but once inside the doors of the riad we were instantly relieved. Emma and Marcus did a wonderful job to help us settle in, and its definitely worth asking advice about anything and everything to do with your trip as they are brilliant organisers. They helped to arrange a guide for the first day which was invaluable for getting us used to the city and how it works. We were also very impressed with the meals and ate in all but one night. Freshly prepared, cleanly presented, and very tasty. Additionally, we had no worries over what the children were (or were not) eating as there is a special menu for children and we felt comfortable requesting certain foods if they weren’t obviously listed. The only problem I could see for other guests is the location. We planned to take taxis everywhere because of the children, but for those who just want the city on their doorstep its about a twenty minute walk from the souks/main square.
| Condition of rooms and the hotel | 8.0 | Food and drink | 10.0 | |
| Overall cleanliness | 8.0 | Relaxation | 7.0 | |
| Pool and facilities | 8.0 | Value for money | 7.0 | |
| Quality of staff | 10.0 | Overall rating | 8.3 | |
| out of 10 | out of 10 | |||
Opulent interiors and warm-hearted hosts make this riad the perfect Christmas get-a-way. We visited last year for four days and had an amazing time. We indulged in the hammam treatment and a massage which were both fantastic and very different from anything ive tried before. We’d love to come again and see what this place is like in the summer!
| Condition of rooms and the hotel | 9.0 | Food and drink | 8.0 | |
| Overall cleanliness | 8.0 | Relaxation | 7.0 | |
| Pool and facilities | 8.0 | Value for money | 8.0 | |
| Quality of staff | 8.0 | Overall rating | 8.0 | |
| out of 10 | out of 10 | |||
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