FAQ | riadeva

FAQ's and Services

At Riad Eva the staff can do as much or as little as you would like to help you have the best holiday possible. In this section we aim to cover some of the most frequently asked questions that new travellers to a Marrakech Riad might have.

What are the amenities at Riad Eva?

Breakfast is not included in the price of the room, but can be ordered at an additional cost of €3/person. This includes your choice of tea, coffee or fresh squeezed orange juice and a Moroccan continental selection.
We offer Wifi in the ground floor courtyard and salon
There is a Satellite TV in the ground floor salon
Other meals, drinks and refreshments can be ordered at any time from staff
If you would like us to cook an evening meal, please let us know before noon.
If you would like fresh flowers, birthday cake, fruit bowl, special snacks or refreshments when you arrive (or any other special requests let us know and we will try to accomodate your requests and budget (not including complimentary special offer items)
A load of laundry can be arranged for an extra cost of 45 dirham.
Check-in is after 2pm, Check-out is by 12 noon (early/late check/in out may be availble on request for an additional 50 dirham)
Local people you may have met in Morroco are not allowed in the Riad.
Foreign friends may visit, but they are only allowed in the communal courtyard or terrace and not in the guest rooms.
Call us if you need any additional information or clarification, we're flexible within reason.
Excursions, hammam packages, spa, massage, official souk guides, cookery courses, henna sessions, etc. can be arranged to your liking in advance, we get a good rate with reputable companies vs. what you might get from punters off the street.
Families and children are most welcome and baby care products, babysitting, or any other requests for baby/family-friendly holidays can be arranged.
a few basic phrases with pronuciation can be found here and are generally useful.

Where can we go for a Hammam?

Hammam is a local cleansing ritual. Everyone in Marrakech will visit a hammam at least once a week for the hot steamy rooms and unlimited hot wateron tap, the community, the relaxation. There are 3 types of typical Hammams in Marrakech:

the tourist hammam ($$$), the ex-pat hammam ($$), the local hammam ($)

We can help you consider your options. If you're interested in a couples or mixed-sex hammam you will need to go to the ex-pat hammam, which is probably the most enjoyable and economical for the budget traveller. The public hammam offers a "massage" (scrub) but after admission and tip, it would be just as economical to go to the mid-range hamman unless you are after a total DIY experience, in which case we can tell you what you need to bring and exactly how it works

Where/what to eat?

The people of Morocco love their food and you will typically find the food stalls in the square open until at least 11pm or later. We have never had a problem eating there, and we can recommend several of our personal favourite stalls. The whole spit-roasted lamb in the souks is the local food stop you should try. Several of the cafes on Jemaa Al Fna offer budget food that is also tasty. We'd be happy to offer advice. Gueliz offers more Western options. Couscous is the national dish of Morocco and is widely availbale along with Tajine and Brochette (kebab), but snails, sheep's head, various other offal is also widely available. The snails and Harrira (soup served with dates) are considered starters at 6 dirham, and the Ginsing tea with Cardommon and cake are the stalls to visit at the end of the meal. They will charge 5-10 dirham for tea and 10 dirham for cakes. Typically Moroccan food is lacking in salt or "hot" spice... you may have to ask if the food seems bland, that's general fare. Most places will have the "hot" harissa, though it seems generally unpopular, most places will have some.

The Souks and Shopping

This is very much a personal experience. Take your time and look as much as you want. Look out for "fixed price" vendors to get a feel for a middle of the road price. Don't feel pressured to engage in continued haggling if the vedor won't succumb to your lowest price. There are many vendors selling the same wares and a popular saying in Marrakech is: "one dirham today is worth ten tomorrow." You can always come back later and they may offer the item at the price you wanted. We can help you with some basic phrases in Darija to increase your chances of a successful bargain hunt. A gereral rule is that a vendor may ask for a price up to four times what you may end up paying. They may argue that "there is no profit at this price", If you act disinterested it is often effective in getting the price down.

Getting around

From Derb Dabachi you can walk almost everywhere in the Medina, but be wary of taking a wrong turn down a little street, it is possble to get lost for hours. If in doubt ask a shop-keeper for directions rather than people on the street who may hassle you or follow you (and expect a tip). (Lla Shukran is the local for "No Thank You" and it is neccessary to learn this phrase.

Taxis are the quickest way to and from places like Gueliz. You will usually find taxi drivers unwilling to put their meter on. Othewise haggle first 20-50 (or so) dirham is the rate for most of the outlying area in Marrakech, depending on the distance. Gueliz is 20 dirham max. For Marjorelle gardens, they will all quote 30 dirhams, but I've paid 25. From the taxi rank off the square to the main bus terminal, it's 7 dirham on the meter. I would tip a few dirham if they put the meter on, otherwise not. If there is competition lurking nearby, you can always try another taxi driver, but this is the average price range for most destinations in Marrakech. If you are further out and there are only one or two taxis you may pay more for the return journey. It is easier to get a cheaper price from the main road near the Koutoubia Mosque.

If you are out late, especially in Gueliz ask the restaurant, etc. to call you a "taxi verte" which will charge a commision of 10-15 dirham, but should run the rest of your journey on the meter. This is good late at night, and should cost not more than 40 dirham for the journey back to the taxi rank near the square.

The main bus station is just outside Bab Doukala, but be sure to avoid the hagglers outside and go straight to the desks in the main hall.

Buses run in the city for 4 dirham. For semi-region buses (Amizmiz for example) expect to pay about 11-20 dirham (prices are fixed). To Essaouira, pay no more than 45 dirham from the ticket booth in the hall with "Essaouira," Above all, ignore anyone who gives you advice that the price is more than this. People will offer all kinds of conflicting advice "it's closed", "you're going the wrong way", etc. Take this with a grain of salt.