Last month I visited an intimate and welcoming hotel, Riad 72.  The hotel is a stunning paradise, isolated from the outside hustle and bustle, where relaxation is key and looking after number one is a top priority.

We wanted an authentic Moroccan experience and that is definitely what we got. Upon arrival, we were greeted with mint tea and traditional cookies. Immediately afterward, we met Stefania, a charming, humorous, knowledgeable, highly experienced woman who simply did everything humanly possible to make our stay stress free and totally memorable.

Stefania gave us an entire briefing. She sat down with us, asked us what we wanted from our trip and then helped us to plan our day-to-day activities, including lunch and dinner reservations. We were given a cell phone, so if we got lost or needed anything we could give them a call.

The other hotel staff were lovely as well. Every single person who works at Riad 72 is committed to ensuring that you have a truly unique experience. From the moment you get up for breakfast to when you go to bed, you are treated like royalty. They are like a constant ray of light, the sunshine that bathes your days in this beautiful place and wonderful country.

I had the pleasure of staying in a wonderful room, the Classic Room, which was adorned with stucco and woodcarving. Our room was located on the 2nd floor and was nice & quiet, with plenty of space for two people. It had an open plan bathroom, comfortable bed and most importantly, air conditioning. It was well over 40 degrees during our staying there, so the air con was very much needed. Mostly, I enjoyed curling up in the super comfy king size bed with a book after a long day of shopping.

The hotel restaurant was lovely and served delicious food; we only ate there once but would love to go back. Likewise, breakfasts in the exotic green courtyard were fabulous and offered a fresh, plentiful selection of foods each morning to cater for all tastes.

The solarium on the roof of the hotel was the perfect spot to start our day. Riad 72 has thought of everything to make the rooftop an ideal place to unwind. Hanging out on the rooftop is something of a tradition in Marrakesh, and it’s a perfect way to pass the time when you need to get off your feet. I spent a couple hours every afternoon on the rooftop, soaking up the sun and taking in the amazing calls to prayers for Ramadan that rang around the city.

Overall, this was an amazing experience, from the very first email to the moment we had to leave. However, even when we left the Riad, the assistance did not stop. We were accompanied to places of interest, or to a taxi, along with ongoing access to help thanks to the cell phone provided by Stefania. I left Riad 72 feeling relaxed, at ease, and ready to conquer the world once I returned home. I will definitely be back very soon for a week of relaxation and retreat.

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