I have just come home from a stay at this place, and in short: I'd go back in a jiffy at any opportunity!

The Riad consists of a few courtyards, rooms (some have private rooftop balconys), the guest rooms, a hammam and massage room (tried and would recommend it, especially if you've never tried one before and unsure of the how-to-do).

This place feels like home away from home. It's quiet and relaxed, clean and friendly. At first, you need to get your bearings – around the city and the place – but once you do, its no trouble finding your way around. On arrival, you're sat down in the central courtyard, where you'll also be taking your breakfast and eventual dinner, and then given your map and directions. It's close to the central square Djemaa el Fna as well as several sights and a decent modern Marroccan restaurant.

This place is really friendly, helpful staff and good value for money. The staff – Said and Simon – are on hand all the time to make sure you get answers to your question, directions, tables booked, tours arranged and then they still have time to make a little conversation. They speak english, so no worries if your scool french is a little rusty. Also, the place is small enough for them to remember all guests – who they are and which room they stay in.

The food is really good, we ate there 2 nights out of 4, and apart from a fairly pricy (by Marrakshi standard) restaurant, it was the best food we had during our stay in Marrakech.

All in all, if I have my little way, this place will finish 2012 with a full 5 dots on the Tripadvisor score!

Only little piece of advise: If like us you arrive fairly late and plan to dine there the first night, remember to book your table no later than the morning you arrive – they can be called or mailed either directly or through your agent. Also, it's really a must to have your transfer booked from the airport ahead, for this or any other place inside the medina, as it's a complete maze and most streets are not signposted!

I went to Marrakech (first time in Morocco) with a group of girlfriends for my sister's 40th birthday. We were picked up at the airport by the friendly Kamal and brought back to our Riad.

We were briefed by the owner on the do's and don'ts in Marrakech (which was very helpful and appreciated) and shown to our stunning rooms. It was a little cold at night but there were blankets (and heating) if needed.

We spent the first afternoon soaking up rays on the sun drenched roof terrace, sipping local win and chatting (as girls do). It was so relaxing. We had dinner (delicious tagines which could have had a bit more meat for such a big group) in the restaurant that night and we weren't under any pressure to go to bed - the staff would stay as long as we wanted!

Our tour guide was organised via the hotel (Aziz - excellent) and we did a tour with a guide up the Atlas mountains (with Simon) which was great as we got to eat a REAL tagine from the locals - buy local pottery etc. Again this was organised via the hotel.

The staff were wonderful and couldn't do more to help. I would ONLY stay here on my next trip to Marrakech and almost don't want to write such a great report in case it gets too popular and I can never get a room :)

The decor was so lovely and it really felt like a home from home in the way that you could just lounge around in the various little rooms, inner court yards.

Stay there - you won't regret it!

I travelled with 8 of my friends for a long weekend in Marrakech to celebrate a joint 30th birthday.

Firstly, i would recommend booking a transfer through the riad to pick you up at the airport. If you don't know the Medina very well then you will never find this place on your own.

We stayed in the El Nour Riad which is part of Riad Karmela (literally just across the way) and we had it to ourselves. The riad is gorgeous! So clean and spacious. Every room has their own bathroom. You have a beautiful communal area downstairs and the roof terrace. We had breakfast every day at Riad Karmela which is really yummy - buffet style and very French (delicious bread).

Joel, Bouchra and all the staff are really friendly. On arrival you're greeted with mint tea and pastries. Joel took us through a map of the Medina which was really useful and provided some very helpful information. They're more than happy to help with suggestions of places to visit/eat/things to do.

Personally, i love the small touches. We were supplied with free bottled water in our rooms everyday. There internet and wifi is free. The staff come in to light the lanterns in the riad every evening. And one night was particularly chilly so without even asking, Joel brought over heaters for us.

In terms of proximity, we found that the Riad was in the perfect location. We had a 5 min walk to the square and we were in walking distance to everywhere we wanted to visit in the Medina, e.g. souks, spice market, saadian tombs, Bahia Palace.

I would definitely reccomend Riad Karmela to anyone and would certainly stay there again.

We bent down to creep under the discrete little entrance into a magic world away from the hustle-bustle of the narrow old streets of the medina just outside.  This "riad" - a historical townhouse surrounding a charming courtyard - is the best you could find. Authentically and tastefully renovated and decorated by Moroccan craftsmen. The French owners and Moroccan staff made sure we felt welcome and that we were able to tackle the world outside (actually not as foreboding as it seemed on first impressions)
We were here mid-winter, in January, meaning breakfast and dinner (both delicious!) were served in the courtyard at tables set amongst trees laden with oranges next to a beautiful fountain (rather than in the gardens on the rooftop terrace as in the warmer months)
Consistent excellence here apparently. It was everything we could have hoped for on reading the numerous recommendations, recent and older. Charm, efficiency, friendliness. No surprise to find other Australians and "Français" taking advantage. Indeed Morocco is an easy detour from Paris when in Europe. Go for it!