Jewel of a private home all to yourselves in the heart of the Old City
About this house rental
Nestled in Marrakesh, this charming house for $176 per night is a fantastic choice for your next trip. This jewel of a private home, all to yourselves, is hidden on a narrow, quiet cul-de-sac in the heart of the ancient Moorish city of Marrakech. (Derb Alililj #29, Kaat Benahid, Marrakech, Medina) Airport arrival transport and Breakfast are included. Additional Moroccan meals are available. The cost of lunch or dinner is DH100 per person. Please make your request and pay the staff the day before the meal, so they can shop and prep. I'm sorry we do not arrange meals for the day of arrival. There are several very reasonable restaurants within a short walk from our riad for a lovely lunch or dinner on the day of your arrival. It is a world far removed, though close to the modern part of town, just a short flight from anywhere in Europe and closer to New York than is London. You will be greeted at the airport or train station and welcomed by our staff upon arrival at Dar Ajiba. From our residential neighborhood it's but a short walk to all of the craft markets (souks), open-air vegetable vendors, several important historic landmarks and one of the finest gourmet restaurants is around the corner. The UN World Heritage Site, the Jmaa el Fna square, always jumping with amazing entertainers and restaurants, is a 15 minute stroll. Though cars are not allowed into the maze of small streets, with everything so convenient a car is unnecessary, and for occasional trips to other parts of town inexpensive taxis are close by. Each morning you will be served a traditional Moroccan breakfast, included in your rate, along with light housekeeping. The house, 1700sq ft (160sq meters) on two floors, has been remodeled in the 'Beldi' style (traditional, rustic techniques), but with many modern comforts added. From the street, the carved doorway opens into a welcoming entryway leading into the terra cota tiled courtyard open to the sky. Surrounding the courtyard, accented by a lovely wall fountain, are the doors and grill-work covered windows of the living room, office, kitchen and 1/2 bath. The living room, with hand loomed Berber carpets has two seating areas. To the right is a classic Moroccan salon with upholstered, carved banquets. On the left comfortable leather chairs and hassocks face the fireplace. The office has a desk, and a cozy banquet seating area with handwoven Atlas Mountain pillows and rug. The kitchen is complete with modern appliances and granite counter top. The second floor has three inviting bedrooms, a laundry room with washer and dryer and a charming full bath, all arranged around the courtyard with carved balustrades bordering the connecting balconies. Each room has a double bed, seating area and wrought iron grill work windows with shutters. The stairway continues up to the roof terrace that provides a spectacular view over the Old City's rooftops to the High Atlas Mountains beyond. A ramada and canopy create shaded areas with tiled table and chairs, and a staircase leads to a small observation deck for a 360 view. In a corner of this walled terrace is a private shower, and a grill work balustrade surrounds the central courtyard opening. As much or as little household help as required is available. Arrangements can be made for a cook, housekeeper, guide/translator (French and Arabic are most useful but many people also speak English). WiFi included. Our local English-speaking agent is available for orientation and assistance. The owner, fluent in Moroccan Arabic dialect, can be reached at any time by phone or email. Marrakech is in south-central Morocco about 150 miles from Casablanca and 100 miles from the Atlantic seaport and beach town of Essaouira. Upon inquiry we can provide suggested reading and references about this truly fascinating country and its culture. Note: Air-conditioned and heating in each bedroom, salon and office/library. Kitchen is open to the courtyard and therefore not air-conditioned or heated. Bring appropriate clothing as rooms are all situated around a central courtyard open to the sky.
Amenities
Air conditioner
Kitchen / Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Smoking allowed
Parking
Laundry
Balcony / Patio
Hot Tub / Spa
Map of Marrakesh
Reviews
4.8/5.0
Outstanding(37 Reviews)
5.0
AMAZING!
Where do I start? The whole experience was out of this world, one of our the best holiday so far.
First of all, a special mention to the owners. We had a few requests/problems on the run up to the actual stay that we put past them and Sinde, bless her, was ever so friendly and helpful. She would reply to the emails really quickly and most importantly, sorted us out everytime.
Then we got to Marrakesh and the Riad was just perfect. Beautiful, clean, comfortable, right in the middle of the city but yet so quiet and tranquil. We just loved it.
And it came with a wonderful service. We had a huge display of food for breakfast every morning, prepared by lovely Maria and Fatima who will also clean and tidy up, and make sure we were happy with everything.
But the actual highlight of our stay was dear Moulay. I cannot put into words how wonderful the man was to us. He could not do enough to help; he went a move and behond, all the time displaying his warm and happy personality. He actually made our trip feel more like a visit to relatives. We all fell under his spell: what a gentleman!
We would definitely recommend the place to our friend and family. And we will go back ourselves, it was that good!
Christiane
5.0
My home in Marrakesh
Comfortable, luxurious, great food and assistance.
5.0
We stayed in Marrakech for 9 nights, from what 6 nights in this riad (another 3 nights in all inc. hotel). The riad is very nice and authentical. Since you have the all the riad for yourself, its very good for the families (we came with children - 1 and 3 y.). The riad is located in the Medina and its just a short way to main sqare Jamaa El Fna. And dont worry - Moulay Driss will teach you the right way (seems impossible at first but he knows just the right way to teach you by showing you the important signs on the way). I guess Moulay was one of the memorable "things" for us from Marrakech - he is absolutely adorable! He will pick you up from the airport, he will show you around, he will tell you everything about everything, just ask! And he is great with kids - our 3 year old just fell in love with this guy, he was like a grandfather to him, :) really sweet. And more - Moulay and Fatima organized a birthday cake for our daughter, who became 1 while we stayed there!
Every morning you get a nice breakfast (a suggestion: a bit of variaty wouldn hurt and also fresh vegetables and fruits - we missed that) and if you wish, they make lunch or dinners also.
You can order trips to mountains or to the ocean and Moulay will take you (ofcourse you have to pay for taxi) and be your guide. We went to the mountains and Moulay took us to a lovely tiny village - it was amazing for us te see all this authentic lifestile.
One thing that was not so nice, was the carpet shop, that was on the way to the mountains. They (sellers and Moulay also) always say, that you dont have to buy anything, just watch and listen what they tell you about the products. But in this shop, the seller got really rude if we decided in the end that we do not want to buy anything, he just didnt want to understand that we dont want anything! So a note for you, who will go to the Atlas mountain tour - if you dont need a carpet, dont go to this "factory"! And also - the prices are much higher in these shops than in the markets in Medina. For example the argan oil and clay plates-bowls (which we bought from the mountains) - you get the same thing from the supermarket with 3 times lower price! The only thing you get, is that you can briefly see, how its made.
In general, Marrakech was really interesting place to visit, we are sad we didnt see more places on Morocco (mostly because of the kids, we didnt want to drive for long hours). The riad and its staff is super nice!
5.0
We loved the privacy, staff and good location of this riad! Recommend!
We stayed in Marrakech for 9 nights, from what 6 nights in this riad (another 3 nights in all inc. hotel). The riad is very nice and authentical. Since you have the all the riad for yourself, its very good for the families (we came with children - 1 and 3 y.). The riad is located in the Medina and its just a short way to main sqare Jamaa El Fna. And dont worry - Moulay Driss will teach you the right way (seems impossible at first but he knows just the right way to teach you by showing you the important signs on the way). I guess Moulay was one of the memorable "things" for us from Marrakech - he is absolutely adorable! He will pick you up from the airport, he will show you around, he will tell you everything about everything, just ask! And he is great with kids - our 3 year old just fell in love with this guy, he was like a grandfather to him, :) really sweet. And more - Moulay and Fatima organized a birthday cake for our daughter, who became 1 while we stayed there!
Every morning you get a nice breakfast (a suggestion: a bit of variaty wouldn hurt and also fresh vegetables and fruits - we missed that) and if you wish, they make lunch or dinners also.
You can order trips to mountains or to the ocean and Moulay will take you (ofcourse you have to pay for taxi) and be your guide. We went to the mountains and Moulay took us to a lovely tiny village - it was amazing for us te see all this authentic lifestile.
One thing that was not so nice, was the carpet shop, that was on the way to the mountains. They (sellers and Moulay also) always say, that you dont have to buy anything, just watch and listen what they tell you about the products. But in this shop, the seller got really rude if we decided in the end that we do not want to buy anything, he just didnt want to understand that we dont want anything! So a note for you, who will go to the Atlas mountain tour - if you dont need a carpet, dont go to this "factory"! And also - the prices are much higher in these shops than in the markets in Medina. For example the argan oil and clay plates-bowls (which we bought from the mountains) - you get the same thing from the supermarket with 3 times lower price! The only thing you get, is that you can briefly see, how its made.
In general, Marrakech was really interesting place to visit, we are sad we didnt see more places on Morocco (mostly because of the kids, we didnt want to drive for long hours). The riad and its staff is super nice!
4.0
Great location in the old Medina
We stayed late December through early January and enjoyed unseasonably warm sunny weather. The riad is lovely, full of beautifully maintained architectural details. One real plus is the quiet location on a dead-end street - no scooters. Moulay was helpful in orienting us but nevertheless we got lost a few times, which it seems is essential to experiencing Marrakech. Don’t panic - you’ll figure it out, everyone is friendly and helpful, and it’s a great opportunity for problem-solving and teamwork. Breakfasts were varied and well-prepared, served on the roof. We enjoyed the books and diverse music collection of the owners, as there were some chilly nights where we hunkered down with our heaters, and a bottle of wine. Re the latter, Moulay took us to one of the handful of grocery stores where alcohol can be purchased (although very expensive) and pretty much anything else you’d want if you want to do any cooking or just have lots of Happy Hour snacks on hand. You can also buy fruit and nuts from close-by vendors. Moulay helped in many ways, and was a key benefit of choosing this riad. He was there in a few minutes when we had a power outage one night (the entire block went down) and the situation was quickly remedied. In all, this riad was excellent value for what we paid and we will stay here again when I return to Marrakech, which we surely will.
5.0
Our group of friends had a great time. Moulay welcomed us straight from the airport and gave us a perfect local tour to get us situated within the MEDINA with all the local tips. Great city that is safer than most people think.
We had a wonderful cooked dinner at home and had a great stay overall.
Would highly recommend staying here.
5.0
Gorgeous and warm welcoming
Our group of friends had a great time. Moulay welcomed us straight from the airport and gave us a perfect local tour to get us situated within the MEDINA with all the local tips. Great city that is safer than most people think.
We had a wonderful cooked dinner at home and had a great stay overall.
Would highly recommend staying here.
5.0
A true marrakech experience
Perfect place in the medina. Lovely traditional home, comfortable, quiet culdesac, centrally located and very friendly, accomodating staff. Craft markets, important monuments and range of restaurants close by. Couldn't be more ideal.
5.0
Perfect in every way!
The home is charming, comfortable, clean and ideally located with knowledgeable welcoming staff. Delicious breakfast included and several good restaurants close by. All the craft markets and several historic sites are within a few blocks. Highly recommended!
5.0
Best Ever Vacation Experience
This Riad and the accompanying host/cooks made Marrakesh magical! The accommodations are lovely, safe, clean, comfortable, and perfectly located. Molay, the host, was so helpful and kind, while never being intrusive. He took us to the Atlas mountains and the Palmeria and gave us Souk (market) insights and directions. I've traveled to many countries and I rate this experience as one of the best! Hope to return soon.
5.0
Great Stay in the Medina
The place is beautiful and comfortable. The staff is great. Moulay was more than eager to show you us around, Fatima made sure everything was in order and arranged properly, and Maria made excellent food. We would definitely stay there again.
5.0
Like staying with good friends!
Lovely to be so close to all the options and with the souk on your doorstep. Moulay, Maria and Fatima are the stars of the show. Moulay is absolutely brilliant - helpful and knowledgeable ask him for his restaurant recommendations - those we tried for lunch were all good. He knows and has a kind word for everyone in the craziness of the Medina - we dubbed him the 'Mayor of Marrakech'.
We ate in on our first night - dinner prepared by Maria. and her cooking was so good that we did the same for the rest of our stay. - wonderful to come home after a long day's exploring and relax with a drink on the terrace whilst dinner is being prepared for you! Dar Ajiba really is a great home from home made wonderful by these three lovely people.
5.0
Outstanding!
Dar Ajiba us located in the heart of the Nedina. It is exactly as described. Very comfortable and well appointed. The staff are exceptional. Maria cooked us an authentic Morrocan breakfast every day. Fatima came in each morning to make sure everything was okay. Moulay picked us up from the airport and was our officual tour guide. He seems to know everyone in the Medina! He is a wonderful person. Very knowledgeable. His English is excellent. We were so fortunate to have Moulay. Everything he recommended was great. Joel and Sinde (owners) were fantastic to deal with. They responded oromptly to emails. We will ve recomnending Dar Ajiba to our friends and hooe to return to Dar Ajiba at sone point in the future.
5.0
What a find! This home and its staff make you feel at home in the busy medina.
Not only is it a beautiful home but the location is superb. Without Moulay we would not have had the ease of getting around. He is kind, knowledgeable and always available. We enjoyed the tour of the palaces and the tour to the Atlas Mountains with him. Maria and Fatima were equally as welcoming. The dinner that Maria cooked for us our last night was the best we ate.
5.0
Great Introduction to Marrakech
We stayed a week in this riad on our first visit to Morocco and it was a perfect cap to a five week trip to three countries. It is well-situated in the medina, with the souk and most other Marrakech destinations nearby. The city can be noisy and hectic, but tranquil and beautiful behind the door. All the rooms were well-appointed, with lots of reading material about Morocco and Marrakech (and some even about the rid itself). The courtyard was a wonderful place to relax, read and talk, and listen to the music of North Africa. The first level had three bedrooms and bath with the perfect shower. And the rooftop terrace provided great views of the city, especially at sunrise and sunset. Everything was clean and in working order, and we actually took two days just to hang out at the riad because it was so pleasant.
But the best part of the visit was the staff, who took care of us as guests. We requested several dinners, initially because we were too tired to go out, but then because the food cooked by Maria was delicious. Moulay provided a very useful introduction to the medina and took us to areas beyond. The staff was present during the mornings and not in the evenings, and that made the place feel much more like it was our own. The staff was available by phone "just in case"; we were provided with a cell phone to carry with us when we were out and about. When there was some miscommunication about our arrival time and place (no fault of the staff) Moulay figured out where we would be and lo and behold he appeared to take us to the riad.
We have traveled extensively but never to Morocco and Moulay (and all the staff) was a great guide and ambassador for it. We hope to return and when we do we'll be looking forward to time at the riad.
5.0
Dar Ajiba was an incredible home away from home.
Just terrific. Communication prior and logistics during our family's stay went well. We wanted a Medina experience, and Dar Ajiba delivered. The home is much more immaculate than the photos show. Maria put together wonderful breakfasts, and addressed some dietary requests. Moulay was a great guide. He secured a driver for some out of town trips and joined us on an excursion to Fatma. The rooftop terrace has great views for morning breakfasts and sunset photos. The walk to Jemaa el Fna square is a labyrinth of souls, small squares and markets. The ACs work in the rooms!! What a welcome haven! We have already told others! We hope to be back. Inshallah!
5.0
A Perfect Stay in Marrakech!
My husband and two children (10 and 13) spent 7 lovely days at Dar Ajiba. The riad is perfectly located, and a most welcome respite from the busy world of the medina. It has been beautifully remodeled with perfect attention to detail. We appreciated the rooftop terrace and the selection of books about Morocco (both travel guides and literature). Maria and Fatima were kind, generous, and prepared lovely breakfasts according to our various sightseeing schedules. Moulay was a true treasure. He took wonderful care of us, and showed us all of the hidden secrets of Marrakech and beyond. We would highly recommend Dar Ajiba and its wonderful owner and staff to anyone traveling to Marrakech. Thank you all for making our stay so memorable.
5.0
You get what the listing promises - 100%
The property was just as it was advertised to be; the dinner we ordered was delicious and the excursion to the Atlas Mountains with Moulay was also very good.
5.0
Wonderfull stay at Dar Ajiba!
My wife and I spent 4 days in Marrakech and could not have been more pleased with our accomodation!
The pickup at the airport was a nice start and then a very charming welcome tea where we got to chat a bit with Moulay, Fatima and Maria. Moulay then took us on (what seemed at first) a whirlwind walking tour of the Medina where we thought we would be hopelessly lost for the remainder of out stay. Lo and behold he had quite expertly burned all the important landmarks into our memory so that we were able to easily find our way on our daily wandering around the ancient streets.
Breakfast each morning was an absolute treat and despite the cool temps we were mostly able to eat up on the rooftop terrace.
Maria and Fatima provided an in house meal on one night and the food was absolutely fantastic!
We highly recommend Dar Ajiba and can't say enough how lovely the whole staff was and how welcome they made us feel in Marrakech!
5.0
Don't Think About It - Rent It Before It Is Taken!
We have rented homes and apartments all over the world and this was one of our very best experiences. Marrakech is a wonderful place and we loved it - but the medina is crowded, noisy, and, in August at least, hot. It was such a pleasure to retreat to our little peaceful, beautiful oasis to recharge and cool off but be right there in the medina when we were ready to head back out.
The house is beautifully furnished and decorated. The roof top terrace is terrific. But what makes this little home in the heart of the medina so special is its staff.
Maria, Fatima and Moulay make what could be a somewhat nerve wracking stay in what is, to us at least, a very unfamiliar culture, a true pleasure.
Maria and Fatima make wonderful breakfasts and, if you wish, lunches and dinners. Nothing seems to be too much trouble. You want it carried all the way up the steep stairs to the rooftop? No problem. Fatima was so kind to take us shopping and help us bargain (which we are hopeless at). Such nice ladies!
And there there is Moulay. We have never encountered someone like him on our trips. A happy, kind soul who was simply invaluable to us in navigating this confusing and unfamiliar culture. Never obtrusive or pushy - he's just there when you need him and not when you don't. From the moment he met us at the airport, we put ourselves in his hands and he never let us down. He made such a difference in our trip. He showed us places we would have never found on our own and explained everything so very patiently and happily. His introductory orientation to the media is included in the price of the rental. But his half-day and full-day rates are very reasonable. We can't recommend him enough.
The staff does not live at the house but gave us a cell phone so that they were always just a phone call away. We loved this combination of privacy and available assistance.
I cannot think of what else to say, except rent it now before someone else gets it.
5.0
Moroccan Hospitality. I would stay here again!
I highly recommend this riad & would stay here again & again! The photos do not do it justice. I was tempted to book another fancier looking riad, but was sold on this one's reviews about excellent staff & service, and the ease & safety of paying online through homeaway. Maria & Fatima prepared the best meal we ate during our stay, and even took us to the neighborhood hamman & wholesale shops. Moulay checked in with us daily to make sure we were safe & happy. The beds were comfy & we appreciated the cell phone that they loaned us. Breakfast on the rooftop terrace was lovely with views of the snow capped mountains. Le Fondouk was an excellent restaurant for dinner (get the lamb) & drinks just around the corner. The location is great - in a quiet neighborhood within the medina, but an easy & quick walk to the souks & Fna square. Moulay was not available to take us on excursions, but put us in touch with Idir Anamas (a young & modern Berber guide), who took us on a once-in-a-lifetime 3d/2n trip to the Sahara, & day trip to Essaouria. Please stay at this riad! You will not regret it.
5.0
Beautiful & Serene Oasis within the Medina walls
Dar Ajiba was a perfect respite, and we could not be more pleased with our stay. From the moment we were greeted by Moulay at the train station, everyone at Dar Ajiba went out of their way to ensure we were enjoying ourselves.
Communication with owners Sinde & Joel was effortless - they were easily reachable by email and available by telephone if necessary. They provided us with a written introductory rundown of what to expect when entering Morocco, including helpful tips on local customs and expectations. They also provide a guest binder with interesting articles and information about local culture.
Despite our language barrier (my french is horrendous), the staff was more than gracious with me and went above and beyond to accommodate my dietary restriction (Celiac) during breakfast each morning. Breakfast itself - served on the rooftop terrace overlooking the city - was a highlight itself and a beautiful way to start each morning.
The bedrooms feature comfortable beds and sumptuous linens; the bathroom is gorgeous + spacious; and the common areas are exquisitely beautiful.
While it is close enough to access everything you could possibly want to explore by foot, Dar Ajiba is situated on a tranquil, quiet street just south of the Souks, protected from the cacophony so characteristic of the city. After returning from a day exploring exciting + noisy souks, witnessing the beautiful chaos of the Jemaa El Fna, and dodging endless motorbikes in the narrow cobblestone streets, it was such a relief to return to Dar Ajiba to unwind in the cool shade of the courtyard while listening to the fountain. Marrakech is a vibrant, busy, and WARM city, so we were also eternally grateful to have access to a washer/dryer to clean our sweaty clothes before departing for the next leg of our trip.
We were so thankful for the introductory foot tour of the Medina, as well as the hand-drawn map that they provided to us of the Medina, as both Google Maps and AppleMaps were inaccurate and at odds with one another. While we did get lost on our way back the first evening (what an adventure!), we quickly oriented ourselves by Day #2 with its help.
For the TL;DR crowd: for the price you'd pay to book a single room in a busy riad elsewhere in the city, you can book Dar Ajiba and have a gorgeously appointed, private riad all to yourself! If I ever have a chance to return to Marrakech, I will book at Dar Ajiba without hesitation. Thank you so much for everything!
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Marrakesh?
The average price for a rental in Marrakesh is $108 per night. This rental is $68 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Jewel of a private home all to yourselves in the heart of the Old City. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Jewel of a private home all to yourselves in the heart of the Old City pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Jewel of a private home all to yourselves in the heart of the Old City?
We found 9 amenities for this rental. This includes air conditioner, kitchen / kitchenette, internet / wifi, fireplace, and smoking allowed.
Explore similar vacation rentals in Marrakesh
Explore all rentals in MarrakeshMarrakesh travel inspiration
Read our blogGuides
Ski Trip Packing List: What to Bring Skiing or Snowboarding
Trends
VacationRenter Holiday Travel Trends 2023
Featured Rentals
Architectural Vacation Rentals: Experience the Beauty of Unique Properties
Featured Rentals
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Vacation Rentals Around the World
Featured Rentals
Our Favorite Vacation Rentals With Unique Experiences
Featured Rentals
Amazing Cabin Rentals Across the Globe
Featured Rentals
Have You Ever Wanted to Stay in a Dome Rental? Now You Can
Featured Rentals
Jaw Dropping Treehouse Rentals All Over the World