This hotel is a beauty!! It's completely BEAUTIFUL - every little nook is tiled, there are lanterns and tiled arches everywhere, and the tiled courtyard pool is just a sight to see - there are citrus and lemon tree's and such an amazing ambience around the pool, i think that we took 100 photos of just the pool area alone!!!
However - this hotel doesn't quite know what it wants to be - there are daytrippers who visit for lunch and to use the pool, who are not guests/staying at the hotel, and then there are the guests who stay. We happened to have the entire palais to ourselves for our two night stay, which did feel wierd, as there was only the staff and ourselves... and to be honest, there were only two staff on hand, and it was pretty hard to get service at times... However this is not to say that they weren't completely helpful when we did get hold of them, and ask for assistance, directions and so forth.
The hotel needs more direction, a little garden maintenance and then it could be FIVE STAR if it was cared for a little more - the pool area is certainly one of the most beautiful i've ever stayed at, and the rooms were spacious, luxurious and very comfortable ( esp the bed and the air-conditioning!!) however, the hotel doesn't seem to be managed to maximise itself, and be the best it could be - as it certainly could be so much more!!!
We felt that it was an injustice that this hotel wasn't fully booked, and we couldn't understand why..... but we were the lucky ones to enjoy the pool/courtyard all to ourselves and the experience!!!
All in all - this is not a bad review, as we LOVED staying here, it is a BEAUTIFUL Riad, and SImo and the staff were very helpful and our room was fabulous!
The pool and courtyard are definitely the centrepiece of this beautiful old riad - definitely worth a stay!!!!

We have just returned from our week stay at the Palais Dar Donab. Our holiday was booked through Kuoni which ran smoothly from the moment we arrived in Marrakech, to the return journey. The Kuoni rep was brilliant, not pushy into selling the tours but generally nice and helpful. Marrakech is a busy, bustling city which is not for everyone. The Dar Donab exceeded my expectations. The Riad is a wonderful, calm, peaceful retreat with a small pool and sun loungers. Our room 'suite' was fantastic - a huge bed and a wonderful bathroom - loved it!!! I would recommend this hotel for couples looking a relaxing or romantic getaway. Although you can eat and drink very cheaply in Morocco, some places can be VERY expensive. Be careful with the 'tips', I tended to be very soft with my 'tipping', not asking for change etc, it does all add up! The waiter/hotel reception staff will sometimes not offer to give you the 'change' from your bill. All in all, a lovely holiday. I have returned from this holiday feeling very chilled indeed!

We stayed in Dar Donab during July 2011 and had a wonderful time. There are so many riads to choose from and we knew immediately when we walked through the front door that we had made the right choice. The whole place is very spacious with a good size pool to cool down in after the hot walks around the souks. The manager, Simo, looked after us very well - nothing was too much trouble and he helped sort out various aspects of our trip. The staff were also very friendly and helpful.
The rooms are also very spacious, clean and in excellent decoartive order. And they have air conditioning!
Being around the pool is lovely. It is surrounded by lots of different types of citrus trees and you can sit around the many shaded areas and order food and drinks from their excellent menu. There are also lots of roof terraces where you lie back in the full on sun if you wish.
It is situated within the medina right beside the souks so you can start exploring the area from right outside the front door, though it is situated in a quiet area. And it is about 10 minutes walk from the main square which you can get to through the souks or by going round the main road.
So we had a fantastic stay and I would not hesitate in recommedning it!

We cannot recommend this Riad highly enough. Having travelled worldwide this is rated as one of our best places to stay. Our room was one of the junior suites and created the wow factor. Wakening up each day to the sun streaming through the coloured widows was a great start to our day. The simple but ample breakfast kept us satisfied for most of the day and the freshly squeezed orange juice is something to remember. The Riad is perfectly located for the Soukes and the square as well as the cafe Arabe(which should also be experienced). We felt very safe and the staff were extremely welcoming and friendly. It has to be said that the Kuoni rep - Hamid - went out of his way to make sure our stay in Marakech was all that we could have wished for. On the downside look out for the rascals who wait outside the Riad on your first day and follow you and then approach you stating that they work at the Riad. They then entice you into side streets and Soukes and you are then given the hard sell by the stallowners. All pretty harmless but can be intimidating.