Alexandra from Munich fell in love with Marrakech over a decade ago, and raised her sons here, creating the vibrant Riad 11 Zitoune along the way. Ten years later, little sister Riad 10 Mandarin arrived – just a block away – and, like all younger siblings, now threatens to steal the limelight. Expect arty touches everywhere you look: gorgeous splashes of colour, painted wooden furniture, eye-catching fabrics, leafy plants spilling over banisters, exposed brick arches, dangling lanterns. The main courtyard comes with a small round dipping pool, but it's the roof terrace which is the beating heart of the riad. With the sounds and smells of Jemaa el Fna wafting over a backdrop of medina rooftops, it's the perfect spot for a sunset dinner of homemade soups and tagines, or a slap-up breakfast to power you through the day. Holding it all together are Alexandra's brilliant local staff, who also offer concierge-level assistance for souk tours, day trips outside the city and beyond.
There are just five rooms, all carefully priced so as not to eat into your spending money, including a triple and a family suite with private terrace (and ingeniously built-in beds). They're not huge, but they are comfy and lovingly decorated to make you feel at home. Overall this is a bijou budget guesthouse with a very special vibe: friendly, supportive and pleasingly bohemian.