Alajode features carefully selected affiliate links from trusted partners. Your clicks help to support the site at no extra cost to you.
Of the three budget riads in Marrakech that I booked for my recent trip to Morocco, Riad Bamileke was the most affordable of all.
It was also the most mysterious.
With the other two riads, I had a rough idea of what to expect. But with Riad Bamileke, it was a bit of a wildcard booking because I couldn’t really figure out what I was getting from what I saw online.
Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised.
And, even though Riad Bamileke was, in many ways, very different from the other Marrakech riads I’ve stayed in, it’s somewhere I wouldn’t hesitate to stay again.
Riad Bamileke (Marrakech Medina): At a glance
In a hurry? Here are the most important things to know about this unique riad right on the edge of Marrakech’s winding souks.
🛌 Stay for at least 2-3 nights for exploring the Medina area, or more if planning some days trips further afield.
❄️ The spacious ‘suites’ (these are more than rooms!) have some of the best air conditioning I found in Marrakech. Trust me, you’ll be happy about it.
🍽️ Book on Booking.com to get breakfast included – you won’t regret it because it’s one of the best!
Checking in to Riad Bamileke
We checked into Riad Bamileke after a week-long surfing trip in the small village of Taghazout.
Coming back to the bustling souks of the Marrakech Medina was a slight shock to the system after a week of unwinding on the waves and being in bed by 10pm!
Our taxi from the bus station dropped us off on the edge of the souk (the market) and we had to make our way through the narrow alleys.
With a guide sent by the riad – thankfully!
I was also thankful when we made a sudden right turn onto a deserted alley.
We walked another minute or so away from the crowds and arrived at a medieval-style door that you could easily miss if you weren’t looking.
This is how you enter Riad Bamileke.
Riad Location
Of all the riads I’ve stayed in in Marrakech, Bamileke takes the top prize for location.
That empty street is impressively quiet, yet only a few steps away from the centre of the action.
The Marrakech souk is huge, and the area closest to Riad Bamileke is particularly great for all things edible: street food, sweet treats and affordable restaurants with daily menus.
It’s also just a five minute walk from the (in)famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square.
Bamileke is a peaceful retreat that’s deceivingly close to everything you could need, especially if you only have a few days in Marrakech.
Add to that how silent and peaceful it is, and it doesn’t get much better than this. The only downside – if any – is the short walk you’ll need to take to reach the riad.
But if you’re not walking down small alleyways to get to a riad, you’re probably not getting the full Marrakech riad experience anyway!
First Impressions of the riad
And then there is the riad itself.
Bamileke’s location is so ideal – especially for the price – that an average room with plain decor would still feel like a steal.
That’s not the case, though, because the riad is a work of art and an experience in itself.
The unusual name, Bamileke, refers to an ethnic group in Cameroon of around 90 people (according to Wikipedia).
Niche, sure.
Unique? Absolutely.
More than just a place to check in for the night and enjoy some traditional Moroccan hospitality, the riad serves as a mini museum for a small ethnic group that lives thousands of kilometres away.
From the decor to the in-room bookshelf, the Cameroonian touches flow throughout the entire property, combining two African cultures into one.
📞 TRAVEL TIP: WiFi isn’t always easy to come by in Morocco and getting a local sim can be expensive.
To stay connected – and avoid getting lost in the souks! – I used a Nomad eSim during my Morocco trip, which cost less than 1€ per day and had amazing coverage (even in the desert!).
My friend also had a great experience with his HolaFly esim. While slightly pricier, it comes with UNLIMITED data, so might be a better option if you think you’ll use it or need to hotspot!
Staying at Riad Bamileke
If there’s one thing I learned quickly about Marrakech’s riads, it’s that they all completely different!
I recommended trying at least two or three if you have time. It’ll help you get a feel for how varied they can be and add some fun to your Marrakech trip.
If you happen to stay in Riad Bamileke first, there’s a good chance you won’t want to leave…
Rooms
Of all the riad rooms I’ve stayed in, Riad Bamileke was my favourite.
Despite having the lowest nightly rate of all, the room was the most spacious.
In fact, the rooms at the riad are not called rooms at all – they are suites. Yes, even the one we stayed in, the smallest room of all.
Bamileke also had the best air conditioning (a must!), the comfiest bed – albeit a little on the small side – and the cleanest bathroom.
There was a lovely little seating area, plenty of space for bags (quite rare!) and even a bookshelf with books about Africa, wildlife and arts.
Something to note is that, like many riads, the bathroom does have a door. Many riads in Marrakech have curtains rather than doors.
At Bamileke, only the toilet has a curtain – the rest of the tadelekt bathroom is wide open. It’s something I personally loved, but could be awkward if you’re not travelling as a couple or solo…
The other random surprise was the shower head, which flashes through a rainbow of colours while in use, disco ball-style.
Dining
Like most riads, Bamileke offers a daily dinner menu that is overpriced by local standards and must be booked in advance.
We chose to explore the many Marrakech restaurants during our stay, so I can’t comment on the dinner.
The breakfast, however, was one of the best I had during all my Morocco travels.
It included several types of breads, eggs, fresh fruit juice and tea or coffee.
Facilities
Riad Bamileke has everything you need for a comfy stay with a boutique vibe.
Like most riads, there is a communal courtyard shared by the handful of rooms (in this case, just four).
There is also a rooftop with multiple levels and views to the surrounding area, as well as several seating areas and sun loungers scattered at different points.
The only thing it doesn’t have is a pool.
And, while a pool would be a nice touch in summer, there’s so much to see in Marrakech and the surrounding area, that you might not feel it’s lacking.
Plus, if you’re heading to Agadir, Taghazout, or somewhere else along the Moroccan coast, there will be plenty of time for getting in the water!
Planning your stay at Riad Bamileke
Whether you’re planning a quick weekend trip to Marrakech or taking a longer tour or Morocco, here are some things to keep in mind when planning your trip:
- Even if you paid for your room online, you will need to pay a city tax of 5€ per night.
- Breakfast is served between 9-11am – one hour later than most riads!
- It’s easier to let the riad organise a transfer to/from the airport, and doesn’t cost much more.
- It’s good to carry Euros as well as Moroccan Dirhams, especially for taxis, taxes, etc. You can always use these at the airport.
- Toiletries, bath towels and even room slippers are provided.
- There’s no free water available at Bamileke, but the vendor at the end of the alleyway – directly opposite – sells water at a low price (6MAD for a large bottle).