Riad Coq Berber Fou: A Quirky Stay in Marrakech
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To truly get the feeling of Marrakech, staying in a riad in the medina is a must. If you’re looking for a unique and authentic experience in Marrakech, continue reading. Located in the heart of the medina, but close to taxi stands, charming Riad Coq Berber Fou offers a peaceful oasis from the bustling city.
A quick search on Booking or AirBnB will leave you almost overwhelmed with all the options. There are riads for all budgets and wishes spread around the pink old town. After thorough research, I ended up booking 4 nights at Riad Coq Berber Fou for my 1-week-Morrocco adventure with my father. A place that delivered on all my requirements, from architecture and interior details to location and price. And especially, the rooftop terrace(s) of my dreams!
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Riad Coq Berber Fou: An Overview
Riad Coq Berber Fou is the perfect place for you who want to experience the authentic Moroccan lifestyle. Since 2008, this peaceful oasis has been providing guests with a dream holiday in Marrakech. And the location in the heart of the medina, lets you immerse in the city’s culture and history right from the doorstep.
It was founded by two Italian friends, Barbara and Elisabetta, who on a stroll through the medina not only got to experience true Moroccan hospitality. But also, was offered to buy the traditional Moroccan house from a family who had outgrown the premises. In 2008, they had transformed it into a beautiful riad that reflects the city’s unique architecture and design. The riad’s name, Coq Berber Fou, means “crazy Berber rooster,” and it reflects the owners’ passion for the local culture and traditions. Today, Coq Berber Fou actually consist of two separate riads.
The second opened in 2009 and the two are connected via the magnificent roof terraces. Even though Elisabetta and Barbara have put their signature to it, you can still feel – and see – the houses’ history when stepping through the doors. For instance, the room I slept in was named after the youngest son of the family they bought the house from, Idris. There were pictures of Idris and the rest of the family on show, and old wooden doors with intricate carvings are still in use.
Location and Accessibility
The riad is situated in Derb Assabane, a quiet alleyway only steps from a busier street lined with colourful shops.
Location was one of the most important requirements I had when choosing where to stay. I wanted a riad inside the medina, but not too far from a taxi stand. As cars cannot go into the medina, you must make your way back and forth from the taxis by foot. In addition to the taxi stand by Riad Dar Yassine only 5 minutes’ walk away, many of the major attractions in Marrakech’s UNESCO-protected medina are in easy reach by foot.
For example, Ben Youssef Madrasa is only a few minutes’ walk away, and the same goes for Jardin Secret. Jema el-Fnaa is a bit further away, but including time spent on getting lost it should not take more than 30 minutes to get there. Although Riad Coq Berber Fou is easy to locate as soon as you know where it is, ordering airport transfer is one of my best tips for visiting Marrakech. More on that below.
In terms of accessibility, Riad Coq Berber Fou is not suitable for wheelchair users. And although there are some rooms on ground level, I would say having the ability to climb stairs is a must. The riad has several levels, with only narrow, and in some places uneven, stairs leading up to the rooms and the rooftop terrace.
And mark my word: the rooftop terrace is worth the climb. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the medina, Koutoubia Mosque’s Minaret, and the Atlas Mountains in the distance.
The rooms at Riad Coq Berber Fou
The riad features eleven (fourteen) rooms, each with its own unique charm and character. The last room was finished and opened late summer 2023 and looks just as pretty as the rest. Three of the rooms are what they call family rooms, with two separate rooms connected by a shared bathroom.
The Idris suite, which I stayed in, is one of those family rooms. I had a smaller room with two single beds, while my father got a slightly larger room with a double bed. Both rooms had individual entrances with their own keys, meaning we could come and go as we wished without being dependant on the other.
All rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with modern amenities, including free wifi, a safety deposit box, and a seating group. The private bathrooms feature complimentary toiletries and are great examples of traditional architecture with tadelakt interior.
The rooms also have windows facing the riad’s interior courtyard, as is common in Moroccan houses. The rooms are decorated in a traditional Moroccan style, with vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and handcrafted furnishings. Just mind, the pretty old doors are not soundproof… Luckily, the doors also face the quiet courtyard instead of the street.
Food and drink
We can all agree that food and drink is an important part of travelling, right? And also here, Riad Coq Berber Fou will keep you happy.
Breakfast is included, and as long as the weather is not too hot, it is served on the rooftop to the views of the city and the sound of chirping birds. A perk of travelling in winter, as I did, is that you can admire the sun rising while eating – without getting up super early!
The breakfast is served to the table, and the selection differed on all of our 4 mornings. Stables are fresh bread, warm and lovely msemen (a type of unsweetened pancake), omelet, yoghurt, sweet jams, honey, a large pot of coffee, and last but not least – the freshest, tastiest orange juice I have ever had!
Should you want to dine in for either lunch or dinner, just ask for their menu and order in advance. The menu is based on Moroccan cuisine, including tagines, couscous, and pastillas. I did not try their food, I saw other guests getting served and it looked great.
As for drinks, they have all rights and you can enjoy both wine and beer at the premises. Also, they serve excellent coffee – as most places we visited in Morocco!
Would you rather like to go out to eat, there are plenty of good restaurant within easy reach by foot from Riad Coq Berber Fou. Some good choices close by are Le Foundouk, Le Trou Au Mur, Le Jardin, but also Nomad, Café Des Épices, La Terrasse des Épices and Café Arabe are both great and in walkable distance.
Amenities and Services
Staying at Riad Coq Berbère Fou, you can expect to enjoy a range of amenities and services that are designed to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Here are some of what you can look forward to:
Great wifi
I must admit, I never really believe any hotel stating they have great wifi, but when I stayed here it was actually true. We had our on router in the room which offered fast and reliable connections, but also in common areas on the rooftop and the ground floor it worked as a charm.
24-hour reception
The riad’s reception desk is open 24 hours a day, which means that there is always someone available to assist you with any queries or requests that you may have. You get your own keys to come and go, but it is still nice to know if you have any queries or you just want a cup of coffee. Just, mind. They will not be at the actual desk at all times, so you might have to wait for a bit.
Rooftop Terrace
One of the highlights of staying at Riad Coq Berbère Fou is the riad’s stunning rooftop terrace. Perhaps my top requirement when picking a riad, was a nice rooftop terrace with city views – and this one exceeded my expectations. With panoramic views of the Medina and the Atlas Mountains, this is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long day of exploring the city. The terrace has several cosy seating areas in addition to the dining tables where breakfast is served. The lounge chairs invited for sunbathing in the January sun.
Riad Coq Berber Fou’s Hamam
Do you fancy getting scrubbed and massaged in true Moroccan style? Book a hamam spa treatment at the inhouse wellness centre. In addition to the traditional hamam, they also offer all sorts of massages. If I had had a bit more time in Marrakech, I had certainly opted to take advantage of this.
Aircondition
All rooms have air-conditioning – crucial in the summer heat, but also a nice feat in winter. There should be no question to why it is essential in the warm season (Marrakech can get really hot). In winter, on the other hand, it can be used as heaters (Marrakech can also get pretty cold). Visiting in January, I got to experience the cold part myself. During the day, the sun warms up the building, but in the evenings and early mornings some extra heating.
Being Norwegian, I am used to chilly weather and was OK with just the heavy and fluffy blankets that was provided and did not turn on the heater. That said, the heating fan on the bathroom was highly appreciated even by me!
Airport Shuttle
Getting to and from the airport can be a hassle when staying in the medina. First, because starting a holiday with haggling taxi rates seems rather tiring. Second, finding your way to the riad through the maze of the medina from the taxi stand will seem almost impossible on your first visit. Luckily, Riad Coq Berbère Fou makes it easy with its airport shuttle service. Simply let the riad know your flight details in advance, and a driver will be waiting with a sign with your name to pick you up outside the arrival terminal. The driver will stop at closest taxi stand ( by Riad Dar Yassine). From where, a porter will take your luggage in a trolley and follow you to the riad.
This service is available for an additional fee but believe me – it is worth it!
Organise tours
Would you like to see more of Morocco when you are here? Or perhaps let a local guide show you around Marrakech? Riad Coq Berber Fou can arrange both day trips and longer tours, as well as transfer between cities. Just ask when you are there or send them an e-mail in advance. Be aware that if you bother doing research on your own, you may find cheaper rates with other tour companies. Like I did when planning our 2-day trip to Ait Ben Haddou in January 2023 and booking transfer from Marrakech to Essaouira. If you do not want to spend time checking with different tour operators, booking via the riad is a good option.
Riad Coq Berber Fou’s exceptional staff
The staff at Riad Coq Berbere Fou are an important part of the experience of staying here. They are friendly, welcoming, and always happy to share their knowledge of Moroccan culture with their guests.
From meeting Abdoul outside the airport to being served tea and biscuits on the rooftop terrace by Hassan. To Basir sitting down with us with a map and give us tips and recommendations for our stay, we felt truly welcome and looked after.
I highly value my morning chats with Hassan, who thought me a lot about life in Morocco in general and what it was like growing up in the High Atlas in particular. Isn’t it fascinating how many similarities you can find with people across borders and cultures? Just like me, Hassan grew up skiing since he could walk. And until he broke his leg badly a few years’ back, he was a keen skier.
Abdoul always brought me the best americano with the kindest smile every afternoon when we were back for a siesta. And you can count on Bashir having a good advice when you need it. I did not talk to the women working there. But their kind smiles and nods when I saw them, the spotless cleaning and the sumptuous breakfasts told me everything I needed to know.
How to book your stay at Riad Coq Berbér Fou
Booking a stay at Riad Coq Berbère Fou is a straightforward process that can be completed online. You can visit their website to check availability and make a reservation directly. Alternatively, you can book through Booking.com which offers updated prices and reviews from past guests.
Having looked at both sites, I ended up booking directly via e-mail because I was not sure which rooms would fit my father and me best. Also, I was booking 3 + 1 nights, as we were going on an overnight tour in between and wanted to have the same rooms for the entire stay. The correspondence with Elisabetta was as smooth as can be, and she was very helpful with recommending rooms. A big plus was the great rate we got. Perhaps mostly a benefit of travelling in low season, but still – booking through Booking.com would not have given me the same price. Not even as a Genius member.
Payment options, on the other hand, was a bit dated and limited. We had to bring the amount in Euro and pay in cash upon departure. But I guess that is a part of travelling in Morocco.
Conclusion: A cultural experience
Overall, I would say that staying at Riad Coq Berbere Fou is a cultural experience. The riad is a fantastic gate to everything Marrakech has to offer. From the moment you go through the doors the first time, you are surrounded by authentic history and culture. From the riad’s traditional architecture and interior to the friendly staff and delicious food, every aspect of your stay is designed to give you a taste of Moroccan culture.
The staff got a major part in the accommodation experience. I have stayed in all sorts of places over the years, but rarely have I felt like I connected this well with staff before. From the owner Elisabetta’s e-mails from Italy, to the guys on site. I felt like they truly wanted me to feel welcome and get to know Moroccan customs. Seeing them interact with other guests and reading other guests reviews, I am confident I was not the only one with the same impressions.
If this has not convinced you to stay at Riad Coc Berber Fou, other aspects that make this an optimal stay are location and comfort. It is an oasis of serenity and comfort in the middle of the craziness of the medina. Plus, it is only a five minutes’ easy walk to taxis. Also, did I introduce Minsin? He is the adorable house cats that adopts everyone. It does not matter whether you are a cat person or not!
Closing the door behind me when leaving for our two days in Essaouira, I felt sincerely sad. Riad Coc Berber Fou made my days in Marrakech all I had dreamt off! Have you ever had this experience with a place you have stayed before?
