Riad Noir d'Ivoire

We had a wonderful stay at Noir d’Ivoire and I would certainly recommend it. The riad is a true hidden gem in the medina, peaceful and intimate. It happens that during our stay there was no pianist and no loud music from the lounge, so the atmosphere was calm and very pleasant. The rooms are beautiful: elegant, spotless, and full of character. We learned that much of the décor was created by the previous owner, Jill, whom the staff remembers with real affection. Breakfast was excellent, and we enjoyed the restaurant by the pool so much that we returned for dinner twice. We especially recommend the harira, which was fantastic. The staff were consistently kind, discreet, and helpful. Steven, the current owner, was also a gracious host and shared with us some fascinating stories from his life. I am a very selective traveler, and before arriving I had been confused by some of the recent reviews, particularly those describing loud noise at night or claiming the riad did not look like the photos. I initially booked 6 nights non-refundable on Booking.com, trusting the recommendation of another nearby 5-star riad where I had stayed previously (and who unfortunately was fully booked). When I later read a few alarming reviews, I became hesitant and ended up booking 3 of the 6 nights elsewhere. In the end, this turned out to be unnecessary. We could easily have stayed all 6 nights here, and we would have been very happy. Our experience was simply lovely, without any of the problems described in those negative reviews. A few suggestions for improvement: • Complimentary bottled water should be provided daily. At the moment, only one bottle is offered on arrival, which is surprising for a riad of this level, especially considering that water is very inexpensive locally. • The plants and wall around the second swimming pool would benefit from a bit more care. It would also be nice to have someone available for drink or snack service in that area. • Cleaning of the shared spaces could be scheduled when guests are not using them, to avoid interruptions. • Restaurant pricing is fair for the quality, but drinks (especially water and wine by the glass) are on the expensive side. For example, a bottle of water cost more than at Le Mamounia. • The airport transfer at USD 35 is significantly higher than average. Even if the riad works with a private driver, it would be welcome to offer guests the option of a standard taxi service (around USD 15) for the 15-minute ride. Overall, Noir d’Ivoire is a beautiful, charming riad with excellent service and a refined atmosphere. We truly enjoyed our stay and would gladly return.