Riad Kniza

Rooms

Each of the 11 rooms and suites is refined and elegant, with an open fireplace, soft lighting, antique furniture, incredible rugs, exclusive fabrics and a well-appointed marble bathroom with a tub (except Senior Suite Ambar, which has a rain shower only).

In addition each room offers its own individual elements, such as a wooden room divider, a canopy, gold ornaments, wooden chests, brass or tile works, art and other beautiful Moroccan details. Some of the suites also feature intricately carved domed ceilings or raised platform sleeping areas.

Beds are large and extremely comfortable; we didn’t want to get up in the morning. All rooms have kingsize beds (except Deluxe Room L’Orientale and Superior Deluxe Room Samar, which have queensize beds). Towels and bathrobes are thick and fluffy, and little extras like heated towel racks, double sinks and shaving mirrors are nice touches. All rooms are fitted with air-conditioning, safes, telephones, flat-screen TVs and WiFi, and there is more than ample closet and luggage space. You’ll also find a fruit basket and rose petals to welcome you.

There are 4 Deluxe and Superior Deluxe rooms, and even the smallest of these is spacious compared to most hotels' standards. The 2 Junior and 4 Senior Suites are more like small apartments, with sectional sofas, carved wooden doors or luxe curtains that can close off the rooms, and great views of the courtyard or Marrakech.

During both of our visits we were lucky enough to have the Royal Suite Bahia, which is simply breathtaking. As large as a small house, it has a living room and, up a few steps, a vast bedroom with a sitting area plus a massive bathroom with separate toilets and twin sinks. It’s perhaps the single most incredible hotel room we’ve stayed in and well worth the expense if you fancy a treat, but even the cheapest Deluxe Rooms here are exquisite.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• WiFi

Eating

Food here not only provides sustenance, but also an experience in itself. Every meal is worth savouring and the staff will accommodate you almost any time for lunch and dinner (the latter must be booked 24 hours in advance).

Evenings often kick off with cocktails in the courtyard as traditional Gnawa music (a mix of African, Berber and Arabic songs) is played. You then make your way over to your table - perhaps in your room or under the moon on the rooftop terrace - for a lavish 4-7 course feast. The Moroccan starter is much more than the name implies: a sampler of several different dishes, all equally scrumptious. This is followed by soup (perhaps lentil and chickpea), a traditional pastilla, meat or vegetarian tagines with sides, and decadent desserts (a creamy mille-feuille when we last visited), all accompanied by fine wine.

If you fancy something lighter, opt for the Moroccan salad (in reality a 6-course spread of empanadas, olives, couscous and other little delicacies), or order a glass of wine and a late-night snack to enjoy by the fire in the library.

Breakfast is just as spoiling, with delicious homemade pastries, breads and jams, fresh juice, rich coffee, yoghurts, eggs, perhaps even pancakes. The spread changes slightly every day (a nice touch if you’re staying for a few nights), and we suggest taking it in one of the lovely rooftop tents.

Riad Kniza even offers hands-on, half-day Moroccan cooking workshops - a real treat for the gourmet traveller and highly recommended.

Features include:

• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Meander through the medina, always an adventure in itself. Marrakech is a feast for the senses, and there's much to see and do. Riad Kniza is positioned favourably, very close to the main square of Djemaa El Fna. Expect to get lost; it's part of the charm of Marrakech, but ask a shopkeeper or hotel for directions (many locals will ask for money and simply point you somewhere, which is just as likely the wrong way as the correct one)
  
• Visit top sights in central Marrakech, such as the Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia Mosque, El Badi Palace and the ornate Ben Youssef Medersa
  
• Head beyond the medina to the beautiful Majorelle Gardens, once the home of Yves St. Laurent and a short taxi ride away
  
• Shop the souks with antique expert Haj Mohamed. He has shown the best of Marrakech to many VIPs, and his expertise will take you to the best shops and help you negotiate favourably
  
• Play golf at one of Marrakech’s world-class courses; try Royal Golf, open since 1923, or the Amelkis course
  
• Take a side trip to the Atlas Mountains to experience Moroccan life that is vastly different from Marrakech. Adventurers will love the trekking above spectacular vistas, and interaction with Berbers provides an exciting cultural immersion into a way of life unchanged for thousands of years
  
• Pamper yourself without even leaving Riad Kniza. Treat yourself to a hammam, in which the attendant scrubs you down with healing muds and a loofah, get a massage in the spa, or take a refreshing dip in the pool

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cooking classes
• Golf
• Hiking
• Nightlife
• Shopping / markets

Kids

Guests aged 12+ are welcome at Riad Kniza, although it is much more of a romantic couples' place than a family place.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

The Junior and Senior Suites can take an extra bed for no additional charge. If you are bringing more than one teenager, they will need another room unless you take the Royal Suite Bahia, which can comfortably sleep 4 people.

Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Riad Kniza is in the Bab Doukala area of Marrakech's medina, a short walk from the main square of Djemaa El Fna.

By Air:
Marrakech Menara is 5km away and has direct flights from all over Europe - see the links below for further information.

From the Airport
Take a taxi or book a transfer through the hotel - see Rates. Taxis should drop you at the Bab Doukkala entrance to the medina, on Avenue des Nations Unies (set a fare before you get in). From there it is a relatively short and straightforward walk to Riad Kniza with directions provided by the hotel.

By Train:
The ONCF train station is located on Avenue Hassan II, very close to the medina entrance. However, trains run only between Marrakech and other Moroccan cities, and so are suitable for travel only within the country.

By Car:
Driving is not recommended in Marrakech, and vehicles are not allowed inside the medina, but if you want a car to explore the wider area then see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.

More on getting to Morocco and getting around