We have just returned from a long weekend at the Riad Hayati. The Riad is well located within easy walking distance of the main attractions & restaurants. It provided a quiet tranquil haven after experiencing the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. We booked two rooms and effectively had the Riad to ourselves with the rooms being large, clean and well appointed. We were met at the Airport and transferred to the Riad which takes all the stress out of finding the place. We had a superb lunch to start with in the Riad, although chose to eat out thereafter as Marrakech has numerous excellent restaurants. Overall The Riad is chic & understated, but what sets it aside from many places is the wonderful personal service which cannot be faulted. I would highly recommend the Riad to anyone looking to stay in Marrakech.

From the minute you open the door into the Riad Hayati, you know that you will be comfortable and happy there. The ambiance is serene, charming, interesting and quiet - an oasis in the middle of the medina - a short walk to the noisy and lively central square and the souks, but a peaceful retreat upon your return. Birds fly in and out of the large central courtyard, flowering trees and vines fill large earthenware pots, roses are in every room and the fountain plays. Handsome pierced brass lanterns are a lit with candles as the evening approaches - drinks in the tented pavilion on the roof affords a glorious view of the city, the sunset and the sky overhead.

The attention to detail is so subtle you only know that everything flows - the gracious attentions of the staff, Abdul and Mina, the delicious meals, the arrangements for a day's outing, the trip to the airport - all seems effortless. The decor is lovely - old woven carpets on the walls, hanging lanterns, polished sinks and tubs, lovely old doors, unusually handsome firpelaces, comfortable couches.

The only place to be in Marrakech is the Medina and the only place to be in the Medina is the Riad Hayati. A short walk to many spots of interest, museums and palaces, as well as the market, you are able to return at will for a siesta or a wash and therefore to move at a relaxed pace. It's very quiet at night, surprisingly so, in the very heart of the city.

The ambience and the attention to detail is what gets you. The ambience is so Maroc yet its comfortable for Westerners who have grown out of cheap hotels: the traditional riad design with its open roof & rooms around, the fountain with floating rose petals, the fireplace design in the upstairs sitting room, polished plaster bathroom walls and the nooks & crannies of stairways & doors that lead who knows where.

Then the human element. Enough space to take off & be separate from others yet not to feel that you are giving anyone the cold shoulder. The tented seating area on the terrace which is so well cushioned yet so peacefully cool. And the Owner who makes a couple of personal calls to ensure everything is fine.

Right in the heart of the ancient city, yet an oasis.

After reading all the great reviews on Riad Hayati we decided to try it out and we were not dissapointed. Ron the owner, although not there, ensured that our stay was comfortable and asked us to treat the Riad as our own. Once inside the Riad, it was very elegant and extremely quiet and peaceful. A lovely place to return after the hustle and bustle of the streets of Marrakesh. A major factor in our enjoyement was the fantastic service by Abdel and the great cooking by Mina. We particularly liked the lamb and peas tajine and of course the lemon tart. It was pleasant in the evening to have drinks on the roof terrace followed by a a traditional Morrocon meal in the Riad. As stated on other reviews we did find Mina's cooking better than in the restaurants we sampled.
In summary the Riad Hayati is a fantastic place to stay mainly because of Ron's desire to make the your stay as enyoyable as possible. With his great staff and elegant building, he has certainly achieved it.