Nihad Hammi

My wife and I grew up on government cheese. Normally, a place like this wouldn't even let us on the property! We had so much space - even a sitting cave! The grounds could take an entire day to discover. It is a beautiful hotel, and likely deserves the comma in the price. ;)

We enjoyed our stay at Riad Dar Ayur. The staff was exceptionally helpful and accommodating, making us feel right at home each evening. They were incredibly thoughtful; for example, when we had to depart early on our final day, they served breakfast half an hour ahead of schedule just so we wouldn't have to leave hungry. We also loved the elegant and welcoming tea service upon our arrival. The only minor inconvenience was the acoustics, as sound travels easily through the walls; however, because the hotel was not crowded during our stay, it did not bother us much.

Our tent was a pleasant surprise; it offered all the convenience of a traditional hotel room, featuring a private en-suite bathroom with a shower and comfortable beds.

My stay at Riad Al Makan was defined by its truly unique authenticity and exquisite craftsmanship; the room decor is unlike anything else I've experienced. Breakfast was enjoyable, and the hotel's location is hard to beat. While the property could benefit from a bit more warmth and modern conveniences—such as better lighting and more accessible power outlets for charging devices—the stunning aesthetic and prime location make it a memorable place to stay.

Staying at Kasbah Rayane felt like being the only people in this beautiful landscape, with nothing but sweeping desert views from our window. We stayed in a room on the top floor, which was simple and basic, but the staff truly made our stay special. They were incredibly accommodating and served us a wonderful dinner, even going out of their way to prepare a special meal for my friend who wasn't feeling well and required a specific dietary alternative.

Dar Al Miraaj is an exceptional riad. We were provided with wonderful ground-floor rooms, each unique in its craftsmanship, decor, and authenticity. The breakfast was excellent and served with great attention to detail. Additionally, the lovely rooftop terrace offers beautiful city views and a perfect space to relax. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for an authentic Moroccan experience.

Riad Hicham is perfectly situated in the heart of Chefchaouen, putting you right in the middle of all the main tourist activities. While the location is ideal, our room was a bit noisy at night as our window faced an adjacent restaurant terrace. Inside the room, there was no safe, and while robes were provided, they were unfortunately too small for most adults and no slippers were available. That said, the hotel has a very distinguished character and beautiful, unique fixtures that made for a memorable stay.

Having already toured the medina and souks in Fes, the Marrakech tour felt somewhat familiar in those areas. However, the experience was still unique thanks to the visit to the Jemaa el-Fnaa square and the Bahia Palace. Our guide was exceptionally knowledgeable, and we thoroughly enjoyed his insightful commentary throughout the day On the next day we visited the Majorelle Garden which was wonderful, offering a refreshing and peaceful escape from the frantic energy of the medina. I highly recommend including this stop for anyone looking to balance the intensity of the city with a bit of tranquility.

Our guided tour of Fes was both fascinating and intense. We felt incredibly lucky to have a guide, as we would have undoubtedly become lost in the labyrinthine alleys of the medina without one. I really appreciated that the experience felt authentic—rather than just a tourist attraction, it offered a genuine glimpse into a place where people live and work. The visits to the tannery, pottery factory, and madrasa were all highlights and provided such valuable insight into the local culture

The drive from Rabat to Chefchaouen was a journey that offered a unique glimpse into Moroccan life. Watching the transition between rural villages and bustling cities was a highlight; I particularly enjoyed spotting the salt mines, observing the intricate irrigation systems, and seeing the many storks' nests along the route. We also enjoyed a pleasant coffee break in a lovely area that offered some good opportunities for shopping.

We were incredibly impressed by how seamlessly our transportation to and from the Sahara luxury camp was organized. The journey involved several modes of transit—including our private car, a 4x4, and camels—yet everything was perfectly coordinated, with our next transfer always waiting for us upon arrival. The entire experience felt like a true, fun-filled adventure. On the drive to Ait Ben Haddou, we enjoyed observing local life in the passing towns from our window, which was a fascinating cultural glimpse. Ait Ben Haddou itself is breathtaking; while the climb to the top is a bit challenging, the panoramic views are well worth the effort. On our return trip, our local guide took us off the beaten path, providing a fantastic opportunity to take some unique, non-touristy photos.

We enjoyed our guided tour of Rabat with Hasania, but we were hoping for more in-depth historical context. While she did a great job showing us all the major attractions and was very responsive to our specific questions, we felt the experience lacked the extensive, colorful narrative we were looking for. We ended up filling in the historical gaps ourselves through outside reading, which left us feeling that the tour was more of a logistical guide than an immersive historical deep dive. For future travelers: If you are looking for a deep historical perspective, I recommend doing some preliminary reading on Rabat before your tour so you can ask specific, pointed questions, as the guide is very helpful when prompted but may not provide a broad historical overview on her own.

Visiting the Hassan II Mosque was a highlight, though keep in mind that since we arrived after 2:00 PM, we weren't able to tour the interior. Even from the outside, the experience was incredible; the sheer scale of the architecture, the intricate craftsmanship, and the stunning seaside location are truly impressive

Volubilis is definitely worth visiting. To get the most out of your time there, I highly recommend reading up on the history and development of the site in advance, as it complements the information provided by the local guide perfectly. We also had the chance to visit Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, a picturesque historic settlement on a nearby hilltop. It was fascinating to see that many of the oldest buildings in the village were constructed using materials repurposed from the ruins of Volubilis.

The drive from Fes to Merzouga is long, but the stops in Ifrane and Azrou made the journey much more enjoyable and scenic. We arrived perfectly on time for the camel trek, and watching the sunset during the ride to the camp was an unforgettable experience. The desert camp itself was very comfortable—our tent felt more like a hotel room, complete with a private bathroom, shower, Wi-Fi, and cozy beds. We also found the dinner and breakfast at the camp restaurant to be both delicious and satisfying.

Chefchaouen is an absolutely beautiful and picturesque town—every turn offers a stunning photo opportunity. I highly recommend hiking up to the Spanish Mosque at sunset; you definitely won't regret the climb!

Absolutely wonderful hospitality and care! Delicious, generous breakfast every day! Helpful suggestions to enjoy the area.

The staff here really made us feel special. We felt such warmth and hospitality from the moment we arrived. The view from the rooftop is amazing too!

Our guide, Hassania was so well informed and personable. Her warmth and good humor even outshined her obvious depth of knowledge and skill of communication. We wanted to take her with us!

Great location, beautiful hotel right on the water.

Super-cool spot in the medina, a short walk to the water. The only potential downside is that there is no A/C, so you needed the windows open for cool, fresh air, but the bustle of activity in the square continued throughout the night. Just bring a fan or use a "noise" app on your phone to drown it out easily.

Great location, beautiful building, friendly staff- who could ask for more?

Such a pretty Kasbah, in a beautiful location. Staff was amazing, the rooms were lovely.

Really liked this place, but it was not our favorite on this trip. The rooms were beautiful, but the restaurant was mid. Also, there were dogs that were barking all night, which interrupted our sleep. Not sure if they were a part of this camp or another, but it was annoying, all the same.

This place was probably my favorite place to stay on Morocco. It was absolutely gorgeous and the staff was beyond wonderful. The breakfast spread was nothing short of amazing.

Great little riad in Chefchaouen. Quiet spot,

Beautiful hotel, only stayed one night, but it definitely set the tone for and amazing trip.

Lunch at the wharf was very casual. We thought it was going to be in a restaurant, but it turns out that you pick a spot, right nerar the water, select your seafood and have it cooked for you while you eat at picnic tables. It was a great experience, just not what we were expecting. Essaouira is more than fresh seafood. There are amazing sunsets from the beach, the medina is cute and manageable (but get most of your shopping done in Fez and Marrakech). Our favorite part was a bit serendipitous. We went for a late morning walk to the wharf, and just kept following it down to the end, and were able to watch the hustle and bustle of the fishing boats coming in and unloading their bounty. The controlled chaos was delightful to watch.

Hicham, our tour guide was, again, incredibly knowledgeable. The city is amazing and it's history is too. His tour gave us a nice lay of the land, which was helpful for the following day, which was a free day, for us to wander around town at our own pace. One night we walked to the new part of Marrakech and had a great time. We had some fantastic dinners in this city.

This was another long day of driving. Fortunately, there were some stops to help break it up. Ait Ben Haddou was interesting, and had some beautiful views, but was kind of unremarkable. The rose cooperative was neat, but I imagined we'd see more fields of roses, considering we were there in peak season. We also made a quick stop at Atlas studios, but did not go in for the tour, it most mostly a chance to stretch our legs. Driving through the high Atlas mountains and seeing the geography change so completely again was great.

I wasn't sure how to feel about this day, but I am so glad we had this opportunity. We started the day meeting up with another tour group from the same company and headed out to a local market to pick veggies for our couscous meal with the family. After that, we had a short tour of the area. Then we went to the family's house. There we were treated to a variety of local delights and a delicious meal. We also learned a bit more about the local culture. The family was wonderful- so kind and welcoming.

Another great day driving, with many stops/ sight to see. The fossils collective in Erfoud had some amazing pieces of fossil art. We stopped at a roadside shop where we tried on native Amazigh clothing and took pictures in them. The family that owned the store was so warm and welcoming. They even let my husband lead a little jam session after he saw an electric guitar sitting in the store. The whole family got involved! Next was the tour of the old village if Tighir (excuse any misspelling). Our guide there was again, fantastic. After that, a stop at the women's rug collective, then an absolutely incredible (and huge) lunch. Next was the Gorge, which was a cool little trek. It was great to see all of the families picnicking alongside it.

LONG travel day (about 10 hours from start to finish. Had lots of stops, so it kept things interesting.

It was great to learn about the history of Fez and to see the old Medina, souks. The sight s and sounds were everything I had hoped for. Our riad was the most incredible place and the service was outstanding. Dinner and a show at the Palais de Medina was a treat.

Meknes is currently closed, due to renovations, but Volubulis was fantastic.

We did not make it to the waterfall, unfortunately, due to the trail being flooded from snow-melt. It was a bummer, but we were able to hike to the God's Bridge, which was a beautiful hike.

Once we got settled in, we headed to the Spanish Mosque to see the sunset. This provided a great view of the city.

It was great to see the changes in geography from one place to another. For all of the long drives, Rachid stopped every 1.5-2 hours for a pit-stop. The places he selected throughout the trip were clean and well-maintained.

Hassania, our guide was fantastic. The tour was informative and interesting. We covered a lot of ground in a short time, but it didn't feel rushed. The mausoleum was breath-taking.

Quick and easy. Rachid was ready and waiting for us when we got through customs. Communication was easy, as we texted via WhatsApp, so we kept him apprised of our progress once we landed.