Morocco Riads: The biggest misconceptions about Riads

The biggest misconceptions about Moroccan Riads

This time around, I'm here to share some misconceptions with you, which raise from time to time when it comes to either traditional or modern style Moroccan Riads. Let's get to see all these and some clarifications. 

Misconception Nr 1: All Riads are run by local Moroccan families

Unfortunately nowadays with Westerners buying up home and turn them into Riad hotels, not all Riads are how they should be per their main concept. However this doesn’t mean all Riads are turned into hotels. Numerous families live in Riad homes to this day. There are family Riads in Morocco but not all of them will be like that any longer. Always read the reviews because with this change unfortunately the services offered can also differ and be worse than expected

A Riad is generally a 2-3 storey building and it has around 10 rooms to cater the guests. This is a normal number when it comes to wealthier and bigger Arabic families.

Location.

Lots of Riads are located in the heart of a Medina or Old City. This is true for Fes, Marrakech, and Rabat, just to say a few examples on the most popular cities with Riads. The Riad can give you peace from the always busy Medina life but that’s up to a certain point only.

Misconception Nr 2: A Riad is a hideaway

Up to a certain point it can be, but remember, the Riad is planned for family life. This also means that due to its architecture, not to mention the windows and doors all opening inwards, it has a great acoustic. So it’s all based on luck. You can get in a Riad where you will hear the guests and hosts all day long, there are busies and more silent Riads. A constant interaction is also a rich element of the Riad life and if you wouldn’t like that, rather stick with a hotel instead.

Misconception Nr 3. : Riads are luxury hotels

This is not true at all, however unfortunately nowadays, due to market expectations the number of luxury hotels calling themselves Riads is steadily growing. Traditionally a Riad is a Riad with quality food, warm welcome and a nice bed. The more modern ones can have air conditioning and even a smaller pool on the inside, but that’s it. So don’t get stuck thinking that Riad is only for the rich. You can get to stay at a Riad for a fairly good price which bring us to our next misconception.

Dar style courtxard -Morocco

Misconception Nr 4: Riads are very expensive

Luckily this is not the situation. You can enjoy a nice quality Riad and don’t pay much for it. For around EUR 80-100 for a double room you get personalized services, locally made food (which is the closest you can ever get to homemade dishes which are so important to experience in Morocco) most Riads offer air conditioned rooms, Wi-Fi for the guests but no, you don’t need to pay hundreds of dollars or EUR to be able to stay in one.

There are also extra cheap Riads nowadays as I saw, but I would be vary with these. Also the term Riad can be used so vaguely that you really need to base your research on the reviews of a place and its location. Likely if it’s not in the Medina, doesn’t have a smaller courtyard then it’s less likely to be a Riad. Also places called „ Riads” having large windows and terraces facing the outside world are not real Riads but touristic ones.

Misconception Nr 5 a Riad must have Riad in its name

Of course nowadays, everyone who wants to have some more touristic exposure would call their guesthouse Riad but that doesn’t necessarily mean that Riads must have this in their name. Riads can also be called „Dar” or „Bab” and can still be considered more or less the same.

Misconception Nr 6: Riads have great, homemade cuisine

This was true some time ago but thanks to the mal-effects of tourism and the globalization there are more and more Riads which do not offer the real authentic Moroccan cuisine you are looking for. The posh Riads offer posh internationalized dishes, some work with take-away and some others only offer a basic breakfast but not the traditional one you would like to taste. Always read the comments on Riads especially those targeting the cuisine: the culinary experience is one of the most important experience you will remember so make it a lasting good memory.

Moderrn Dar courtyard with a colonial hint

Misconception Nr.7: Riads must always be in a Medina

In real, the name Riad is purely a reference of the style of a house which can be literally anywhere. There are Riads in the countryside and there are lots of hotels calling themselves Riads just to get more tourists hooked. The real deal however is located in a Medina.

Misconception Nr. 8: Riads are all the same

Well from the point of architecture Riads have similar features, but to state that they are the same, is like saying all American suburban homes are the same. Of course they were built along the lines of a specific architectural style but all Riads are different from one another. Also, the current design relies heavily on how a Riad has been renovated. If it was renovated by Western standards or by local standards.

Today’s Riads are all sort of mixtures of the East and the West, as this is becoming an expectation, therefore it’s very hard to find an only Moroccan style Riad (and if you saw local type of restrooms I think you are happier with our Western style) However the mixing of the East and West and mixing of old with new sometimes creates wonderful mixtures. In other cases it creates a cavalcade of colors and other times creates a rather too neutral interior design where the real meaning of the Riad is getting lost. Most „Riads” are Dars and even Dwiras (with a very tiny courtyard) where the owners try to insert everything nice often in one small space. Sometimes they take out almost the whole of the courtyard for the sake of a little swimming pool, yet this does not change their concept and will not make them become a Riad. 

I hope you guys liked this article. Please comment, ask, note, share your own Riad experiences with me. 

For some great Riad photos, please check out my Morocco Riad Pinterest album. 

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