The moment we entered the fabulously orange riad from the bustle of the street, I felt I'd come home. Our cases had already arrived- transported from the taxi at the Medina gate by a huge wheel barrow used to negotiate the narrow streets and alleys full of moped drivers of all ages who were expertly avoiding astounded tourists. We were warmly welcomed by the staff, who acted as our temp PA's for the whole of our stay - from arranging restaurant bookings, balloon flight (not to be missed!) and rescuing us when we were lost in the souks ( to which end the mobile phones they issued to all guests were invaluable). I could wax lyrical for several more pages, but actually, you really need to experience it for yourself.

My friends and I spent a few days of our inter-semester break at Maison MK. We chose this riad because of its great reviews and ideal location.. and we chose well! The hotel was absolutely beautiful, a Morrocan-chic riad with a boutique, modern twist. We got a great Moroccan vibe but still felt very much at home. The staff was top-knotch, very warm, welcoming, and accommodating; from setting out tea and coffee right outside our bedroom each morning, to helping us navigate the streets, to booking reservations for henna, restaurants, and even camel riding, to simply always offering a warm smile and a friendly "hello." The food was absolutely delicious (definitely try the club sandwich and drink as much of their OJ as possible!), there was no need to eat elsewhere. The rooms were beautifully decorated and very comfortable. I could go on and on, but, simply put, the Maison MK is perfect. There is no better place to stay in all of Marrakech.

We chose Maison MK because it looked beautiful on the website & we were even more delighted when it looked even better in real life. Everything is curved & sensual, & the feeling of the whole place suggests that a huge amount of thought has gone into its design & creation.
All the rooms in the hotel are quite different, but there is a cohesive feel that binds them all together - this is obviously the work of people that understand design, form, lighting, and function beautifully.
But the real beauty is that on top of this great design is superb service & a very relaxed vibe. The staff are so friendly and helpful and unobtrusive - they seem to have the knack of knowing when you need them & they just appear beside you ready to make your life even more perfect.
We stayed for 3 days & we would have happily stayed for 3 months... Maison Mk is a very special place.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS - We arrived around 8pm and having survived the gauntlet which is ‘road crossing’ avoiding a host of bikes, mopeds, donkey & carts, we stepped into a world of serenity and tranquillity that is Masion MK. Fresh orange was poured and we instantly felt at ease in this chic, yet comfortable Riad which would become home for the next 3 nights.

OUR BEDROOM – we opted for the ‘master suite’ which had my boyfriend reaching for his camera as soon as we were left alone, to capture the beauty of the room before I managed to desecrate it with clothes and wet towels….

The bed was covered in rose petals, the room alight with candles – it was a truly romantic setting. Little touches such as an ipod, mobile phone with credit to use in Marrakech, a vase of fresh roses plus fresh coffee and a flask of tea delivered outside our room each morning didn’t go amiss.

The bathroom was fit for a princess, boasting luxurious robes, slippers and of course the signature giant rubber duck. I would note that the bathroom and bedroom are separated by a curtain, so not ideal if you’re planning your 1st mini break – however there is a bathroom situated on the ground and second floor if you require privacy.

THE RESTAURANT – we ate in the Riad often, the food on our first night was a simple lunch menu as we didn’t arrive till late. The second night we opted for the 5 course taster menu and at 55 euros per person it is a culinary delight that tantalised our taste buds with a variety of spices. The service was relaxed and impeccable – I can’t urge you enough to try the home made OLIVE bread.

BREAKFAST – thankfully the weather allowed us to dine on the roof terrace for breakfast and what a treat it was! Lashings of sunshine, fresh fruit, yoghurt, mixture of breads and pastries & a range of eggs cooked to your liking – a great start to the day.

THE CINEMA – with so much to do and see in Marrakech I didn’t think we’d use this room at all, however with rain invading our first day we headed back to the cleanliness of Maison MK to curl up in front of a movie. If you get the opportunity, this is a perfect “boys room” heaven with giant screen, numerous remote controls and popcorn on tap. There is an up to date DVD selection to suit most tastes.

THE SPA – Please, please, please if nothing else, try the traditional Hammam. I don’t want to give too much away but my top tip is WEAR the flimsy knickers (white for girls, black for boys) and go with it…. (!) you’ll come out with smooth skin and feeling cleaner than you’ve ever felt before.

Advice – when venturing out into Marrakech for the first time here is some advice:
• The road is never closed
• Don’t let anyone help you with directions as they will want payment
• Ignore young men who may swear at you – stay chilled
• Be stern and ignore
• Walk with purpose
• Be polite and ask if you can take photos of people – some may refuse
• Only pay what you think it’s worth


Thank you to all at Maison MK for a truly memorable Moroccan experience and congratulations to owners Paul & Aoibheann for their dedication.