Access inside the medina
The medina almost always ends on foot. The derbs are too narrow for a car, poorly signposted, and a single address can have two possible entrances. That is the main practical difference from a hotel in Gueliz, and it is why we ask for the riad name rather than just the neighbourhood.
Our therapists know most of the accesses and arrive with the equipment in a carry bag. If your riad is hard to find, the simplest thing is to agree a meeting point at the entrance to the derb, or ask your host to collect the therapist: it is common practice and nobody minds.
Expect arrival to take a few minutes longer than at an address in the new town. We build that into the timing so the treatment still starts when planned.
Where to set up in a riad
Three places work well. The bedroom, if it is big enough, is the simplest and most private. The ground-floor salon usually offers more room and more cool air, which matters in summer. The rooftop late in the day, once the sun has dropped, is probably the finest setting of all, with the light falling across the roofs.
The courtyard is trickier: it is beautiful, but it is a thoroughfare, and if other rooms are occupied, privacy is not guaranteed. We discuss it with you and your host when confirming.
Coordinating with your host
In a riad the host or manager is often present and plays a role a hotel receptionist does not: they open the door, show the room, sometimes make tea afterwards. Simply tell them the time, and the whole thing runs without friction.
If you have taken the whole riad, which is common for families and groups, everything gets easier: several treatments can run back to back in one day, and both the rooftop and the salon are free of constraints.
Practical details
- What we ask for
- The riad name and the derb, not just the neighbourhood. That is what makes access reliable.
- Access
- On foot for the last stretch. A meeting point at the lane entrance if needed.
- Best places
- Bedroom, ground-floor salon, or the rooftop late in the day.
- Your host
- Tell them the time. They open the door and show the room.
- Whole-riad bookings
- Several treatments can run back to back in a day.
Frequently asked questions
What if I do not know my derb name?
Very common. Give the riad name alone: it is almost always enough. You can also share your location from the booking form, which gives us the neighbourhood and the approximate point directly.
Is the rooftop a good idea?
Excellent late in the day, once the sun has dropped and if there is little wind. In the middle of a summer afternoon the heat makes the treatment uncomfortable and we will prefer indoors. We decide together on the day, based on the weather.
Are the stairs a problem?
No. The equipment is built to be carried and our therapists regularly climb two or three floors of narrow stairs. Just mention it if there are a lot of steps, so we allow the setup time.
Can you do a hammam in a riad?
Yes, and riads suit it particularly well: the wet rooms are usually tiled and handle the moisture without difficulty. Some riads even have a real built hammam, in which case we use it.
