Review: Riad L’Atelier
Riad L’Atelier review - in a sentence:
This Mallorcan-inspired oasis in the medina is surely the chic-est riad in Marrakech, and a foodie haven - I still dream about the breakfast spread!
Design: 5/5
I won’t pretend that the serenely neutral interiors weren’t a push factor towards booking this riad, because they definitely were! The aesthetic is just so ‘me’, and the neutral design scheme is a real tonic from some of the popular, much more colourful (and - dare I say - a bit cliche) riads.
I think the soothing colour palette is part of what makes retreating here from the hustle & bustle of the medina feel so relaxing - the effect is super cosy and homely.
We stayed in Room 3, which is small but perfectly formed and features cosy, neutral furnishings and beautiful antiqued-brass fixtures in the bathroom.
Food & drink: 6/5!
Our favourite meals while in Marrakech were actually at the riad. Each meal is an absolute feast - I’m talking plate after plate after plate! - of absolutely delicious, traditional, home-cooked food.
Breakfast was for sure the highlight, featuring hot dishes such as shakshuka, scrambled eggs and a hot, flaky yet stretchy, roti-style bread called m’smen, as well as cold dishes such as yoghurt, fruits, fresh juice and preserves - including an INCREDIBLE mixed nut butter which we still talk about a year later and really wish we could buy in London. The coffee is also excellent (trust me - we’re coffee snobs!). In fact, I would go as far as to say it’s worth booking a stay here just for the breakfast, it’s that good.
But the other meals are no slouches! We were served a huge lunch spread on arrival which featured tender lamb chops (my absolute fave), roasted veggies, fresh salads and heaps of fragrant couscous and khobz bread.
Location: 5/5
Being in the heart of the medina, Riad L’Atelier is the perfect base for exploring Marrakech. I loved that we were close enough to the souks and the main sights to walk there in 15 minutes or so, but far away enough that it quietens down at night. It’s the perfect location, really. (Although see below re the key decision point around staying in the medina vs staying in the new town.)
To-do: 4/5
Most riads are tiny. In fact, they’re more like a very small boutique hotel or guesthouse than a traditional hotel - so you really can’t expect the same sorts of bells and whistles, and there is little in the way of facilities or activities.
That being said, the rooftop at Riad L’Atelier is incredible, with panoramic views of the medina rooftops and even proper sun loungers (a rarity in Marrakech!) for the heliophiles amongst you. Breakfast up on the roof, as the sun warms the terracotta tiles and the medina rises from its slumber, is such a treat.
The courtyard pool area is also stunning. We loved taking our evening mint tea (or even a beer - yes, Riad L’Atelier has an alcohol license! Again, very rare in Marrakech) here, surrounded by the beautiful orange trees.
Service was exceptional - the hosts, Mauro and Julia, work SO hard to ensure the guest experience is fantastic, which has definitely bumped up the score in this category. They were always on hand to help us plan and make the most of our trip, and all of their recommendations were excellent.
Because of the size of the riad, you get a really personal experience, too. For example Mauro and Julia would always have remembered what we said we were up to that day and would ask us how we found it when we returned in the evening.
Anything else I should know?
When deciding where to stay in Marrakech, you basically have two options to choose from: a riad in the medina, or a larger hotel in the ‘new town’. I have done both and each has pros and cons. While I would highly, highly recommend staying in a riad in the medina to experience authentic Marrakech at its fullest, it’s definitely noisier and you should be aware that when you step outside of the riad doors, you’re entering literal chaos! To me it’s all part of the experience, but it really depends what you’re after from your trip.
Alcohol is hard to come by in Marrakech. Don’t get me wrong, I can easily go without alcohol, but I do love me a tipple - especially on holiday - so the fact that we could have a nightcap at this riad was a lovely bonus.
Try to have a really good recollection of the street the riad is on and have your wits about you when you’re walking home. Being that the riad is in the heart of medina, if you walk there later at night in particular (once the stall-holders have packed up etc.), the few people that are still roaming around may try to hustle you. A common scam is to offer ‘directions’, tell you that a certain part of the medina is closed, etc. and then offer to take you to your riad but expect payment. A friendly but firm ‘thank you, we know where we’re going’ is all you need in your back pocket.
The final word:
I absolutely loved our stay at Riad L’Atelier and would race back. The beautiful design and incredible food really made it for me, and it’s incredibly good value for money. I highly recommend!