Riad Antara

This is such a lovely oasis of calm, I’m reticent to spread the word too much! Laurent and Ana are fantastic hosts and their staff are just lovely. Our room was very comfortably appointed, so quiet considering how close we were to the hustle and bustle. Breakfast, always slightly varied, on the roof terrace was a delight and delicious. The Riad is located very near the Bahia Palace, with the Jemaa el fna square a short walk away (but brace yourselves for the madness of the small alleyways!). Laurent and Ana always have time for advice, suggestions and assistance to help your stay or reserve a table, and Abdul will welcome you back in the evening with verbena mint tea or a glass of wine. Just a slice of heaven!

We stayed in Riad Antara for a few nights recently and were completely taken away by our experience there. The hospitality of Antara’s owners Anne and Laurent is second to none. Their team of staff is extremely attentive, friendly and well trained, too. We also loved the style of the beautifully renovated riad which brings together traditional Moroccan design and architecture with a distinct modern interpretation. We felt that Antara is perfectly located in the Medina, close to places of interest and very good restaurants yet easily accessible for activities outside the Medina. We can wholeheartedly recommend staying at Riad Antara and would definitely go there when visiting Marrakech in the future!

Stunning Riad, everything was perfect, the design, the ambience, the amazing food and most of all the people. Thank you to Mona, Abdul and Omar for making our trip so memorable. Highly recommend this beautiful Riad, the owners have tastefully designed a perfect sanctuary in the Medina.

From the get go, it was a fantastic experience. Laurent (mon petit pois) went above and beyond to make our stay as enjoyable as possible, nothing was too much. A very personable family feel in the riad, such a hidden gem in the maze of the old town streets in the Medina. The riad has a traditional and authentic feel as opposed to some of the more modern riads. It’s in a prime location with lots of sights, restaurants and markets nearby - only a short walk from Bahia Palace. It’s easy to find and only a few minutes walk from a Main Street, which is really convenient when you don’t know your way around the narrow, winding streets. On arrival, we were given welcome drinks and traditional snacks in the atrium. And to our surprise, we were gifted traditional handmade Moroccan slippers. Anne and Laurent were wonderful with providing guidance and advice. They were very warm and welcoming - going above and beyond to help us with anything and everything. You will not get a service as good as this at one of the larger hotels/riads. Amine and the other members of staff were humble and kindhearted. Always serving us with a smile, 10/10 experience! One of the evenings we had dinner on the roof terrace and we both felt that it was the best food we’d eaten during our trip to Marrakech. What a treat! They were so accommodating when we asked if we could have the left overs the following day for lunch… too good to waste! What a phenomenal experience! We recommend this riad to anyone who is visiting Marrakech. Laurent you are eggcellente 🥚🥚 (inside joke)

Riad Antara is very nice at first blush. Only 5 rooms so a most boutique location. Took some asking and understanding but we finally established breakfast is on the roof top. Our understanding is they can serve a dinner but no menu, just whatever Moroccan dish they make. AND they had a beer for us. Hooray! Our dry period has ended, but alas, the beer was warm ☹️ We subsequently learn that evening they were conducting a cooking class for some external people so we as paying guests were not able to have a meal on site as told by a man we hadn’t spoken to and didn’t introduce himself. Must say, not the most polite people here. Onto the room… Bed very comfortable, air con works well on full wack, a bit of street noise as our room was right along the street so needed to close up all windows for some quiet. But… Shower screen too narrow and shower floor doesn’t drain to the waste so water flows out of bathroom to room. Shower drain isn’t clearing correctly and an odour is emanating. All reported to staff. Security safe not attached so pointless. Full thickness doona and no sheet in 37 degree day, vanity basin tap falls off. Rooms look amazing but the Riad lacks functionality. So so so many options in Fes, I would try something else.

We were lucky enough to visit Marrakech a day before the earthquake and then again 2 days after. We stayed at Riad Antara both before and after the earthquake for a total of 5 nights. Let me begin by reassuring anyone reading this that the earthquake should not discourage you from visiting Marrakech. The cultural experience is not disrupted. Additionally, the Riad has not been damaged. I found Riad Antara to be the perfect place to stay. It is modern, sleek and comfortable while being committed to an authentic experience without being overly ornate. The location is easy, safe and well positioned on the edge of the Medina. We arrived at the airport late at night and the riad had arranged to pick us up which was quite convenient as none of the properties in the Medina can be reached by car. Laurent (the owner and one of his staff) met us at the taxi parking to walk us to the riad. First impressions upon entering the property are visually calming and of wonderful fragrance. We stayed in the Antara Suite which is large and comfortable. The suite is on the second floor, but the stairs are essentially dedicated to the suite itself…. There is no passing foot traffic. The air conditioning is strong and sufficient. The bed is firm and comfortable. There is both shower and separate tub with great water pressure. Linens are superb and the entire property is clean and well maintained. Breakfast was fresh and prepared to order. Within the riad it is very peaceful. Laurent is very informative and can arrange anything you need (private driver, dinner reservations, walking tour etc.). The staff is dedicated, friendly and efficient. Prior to our visit we were overwhelmed by the number of properties to choose from. I feel that we absolutely made the right choice. It is hard to imagine a better choice.