Morocco Accommodation Checklist: What to Verify Before You Book

You’ve found a riad that looks good online. Before you pay anything, verify these 10 things. This checklist saves money, time, and disappointment.

The 10-Point Checklist

1. Location Relative to Medina Gate (or Clear Address)

What gate does it access from? What’s nearby? Is it actually inside the medina walls or just outside?

Ask for the what3words location. This three-word code pinpoints exact location. Cross-reference it on Google Maps. Confirm in recent guest reviews.

“Near the medina” is vague. “100 metres from Bab Boujloud, what3words ///happy.lions.gaze” is precise.

Red flag: Vague location description, no what3words, conflicting information in reviews about location.

2. Recent Reviews Only

Check the past 30-60 days of reviews. Ignore anything older than 3 months.

Look for patterns: multiple mentions of the same problem (mold, water pressure, noise) is real. Single complaints are outliers.

Read for specific details: “Room was clean,” “hot water worked,” “staff was helpful.” Not just star ratings.

Red flag: Only old reviews, no recent stays, reviews from different people all mentioning the same problem.

3. Request Interior Room Photos Taken Within 30 Days

Email the property: “Can you send interior photos of an actual guest room taken in the last 30 days? I want to see the actual condition.”

Good properties respond within 24 hours with photos. Compare these photos to the booking site photos. Discrepancy indicates problem.

Red flag: They refuse, delay, send promotional photos instead of actual guest photos, photos are identical to booking site (probably old).

4. Arrival Instructions and Meeting Point

Confirm in writing:

Exact gate name or what3words location for meeting
Time window you need to arrive within
Who will meet you and their name/phone
What to do if you’re delayed
Whether someone is available 24 hours

Get this in a message you can reference. Email or WhatsApp, not just a phone call.

Red flag: Vague instructions, no specific meeting point, no 24-hour contact.

5. Breakfast Quality: What’s Actually Included

Don’t assume “breakfast included” means eggs and fresh food. Ask specifically:

“What does breakfast include: bread, butter, jam, honey, cheese, olives, eggs, fruit, juice, coffee, tea?”

Budget riads might include just bread and jam. Mid-range should include cheese, olives, fruit, coffee. Premium should include eggs, quality bread, fresh options.

Get the answer in writing.

Red flag: “Continental breakfast” (vague), “full breakfast” (undefined), no response to specific questions.

6. Noise Situation: Mosque Proximity and Street Life

Ask directly:

“Is a mosque nearby? If yes, how close and how loud?”
“What street does the riad face?”
“Are there restaurants or bars near the riad?”
“What time is the street most active?”

Mosque call to prayer at 5am is loud. You need to know this before booking.

Medina street noise varies. Some riads are silent, some are party-adjacent.

Red flag: “It’s fine” (not specific), no information about mosques, reviews mentioning unexpected noise.

7. Solo Female Safety Signals

If you’re a solo female traveller, look for:

Recent reviews from solo female travellers (positive or critical)
Mentions of staff helpfulness for navigation/safety
Whether location is in a busy street or isolated quarter
Evening/night safety mentioned in reviews

Avoid riads where reviews mention feeling uncomfortable or unwelcome as a solo woman.

Red flag: No female guest reviews, reviews mentioning discomfort, staff indifference, isolated location.

8. Cancellation Policy

Read the exact cancellation terms:

“Free cancellation until X date”
“Refund Y% if cancelled before Z date”
“Non-refundable” means you lose all money

Understand this before you book. Morocco is unpredictable. Flexible cancellation matters.

Red flag: Non-refundable only, cancellation deadline is very soon, policy is unclear/conflicting information.

9. Payment Method and Hidden Fees

How do you pay?

Credit card (any fees added?)
Bank transfer (fees from your bank?)
Cash on arrival (is this actually allowed, not just claimed?)
PayPal (can you dispute if property is bad?)

Do they add fees for credit cards? 3-5% surcharges are common in Morocco.

Get written confirmation of payment terms.

Red flag: Multiple payment methods with different fees, pressure to pay cash upfront, fees not disclosed.

10. WhatsApp Contact Info

Get the property’s WhatsApp number directly. Test it.

Email is slow. WhatsApp is instant. You need this for arrival coordination, last-minute questions, emergencies.

If they don’t have WhatsApp, they’re probably not equipped to handle guest coordination well.

Red flag: No WhatsApp offered, only email, slow response time to test message.

Process Summary

Before Booking:

Search by location/dates
Filter by recent reviews (4+ stars, last 30 days)
Request current photos
Ask the 10 questions above
Get written responses
Verify cancellation/payment terms
Get WhatsApp number
Confirm arrival logistics
Check reviews one final time for your specific concerns
Pay deposit (usually 30-50%, not full amount)

After Booking:

Confirm arrival details 1 week before
Reconfirm 48 hours before arrival
Send a message 24 hours before with estimated arrival time
Keep the property’s WhatsApp conversation open for navigation help

Red Flags Summary

If three or more of these apply, reconsider the booking:

Refusal to send current photos
Vague or conflicting location information
Only old reviews or very few reviews
No recent guest reviews
Cancellation policy is extremely strict
No WhatsApp contact available
Unclear payment terms with hidden fees
Arrival logistics are vague
No response to specific questions within 24 hours

Green Flags Summary

If the property has these, you’re probably safe:

Responds to questions within 12 hours
Sends current interior photos when asked
Provides what3words location
Specific details in reviews matching your concerns
Clear cancellation policy
WhatsApp available and monitored
Payment terms clearly explained
Arrival instructions are detailed and specific
Multiple recent reviews (last month) with consistent positive mentions

What This Checklist Prevents

Arrival day chaos from unclear logistics
Discovering mold or damage after paying
Finding a mosque blaring call to prayer outside your window
Booking non-refundable and needing to cancel
No way to communicate if something goes wrong
Breakfast being instant coffee and stale bread
Rooms that don’t match photos

FAQ

Should I always book direct or through Booking.com? Direct: cheaper, negotiate. Booking.com: buyer protection, easier refunds. Booking.com for first-time riads, direct for established properties.

What if property answers my questions but then doesn’t deliver? Document everything (screenshots). Contact Booking.com if you booked there. They force refunds if photos don’t match reality.

How much deposit should I pay upfront? 30-50%. Never 100% unless it’s a well-known, high-rated property.

What if I get to the riad and it’s different from photos? Check out within 24 hours if it’s significantly different. Booking.com will fight for you. Your documentation matters.

Should I be suspicious if they won’t answer questions? Yes. Good properties answer anything. Evasion indicates problems.

What if my first riad is bad? Relocate to another. It’s disruptive but possible. Keep first night flexible.

Is there a “best time” to book? Peak season (March-May, Sept-Nov): 6-8 weeks ahead. Off-season: 2-3 weeks. Flexibility helps.

What if my flight is delayed and I miss arrival time? Contact property immediately via WhatsApp with new arrival time. This is why WhatsApp is essential.