How to Book a Riad in Marrakech Directly (No Commission)

Why book direct rather than through a platform?

When you book via Airbnb or Booking.com, the platform takes fees on the transaction — on the host side and sometimes on the guest side too. The Airbnb host-only model, rolled out progressively in late 2025, charges the host approximately 15.5%; Booking.com charges between 10 and 25% commission depending on the contract (source: official help pages, consulted June 2026). These fees feed into the rate displayed to the guest.

Booking direct with My Kasbah removes that layer. The rate you receive on WhatsApp is the net property rate — no additional service fees. On a week-long stay, the difference can amount to several hundred euros depending on the property and season.

The other advantage: direct human contact. No algorithm-filtered asynchronous messaging. Our local team in Marrakech replies directly, knows every property inside out and can tailor the proposal to your stay (flexible dates, bespoke services, practical questions about the neighbourhood).

What we need to start the booking

To send you the exact rate and check availability, we need three things: your check-in and check-out dates, the number of guests (adults and children if applicable), and the property or type of property you are interested in (riad in the Medina, apartment, preferred neighbourhood).

If you haven't chosen a specific property yet, no problem — tell us the type of stay (couple, family, small group) and the neighbourhood or atmosphere you want: our team can point you to the matching addresses in the collection.

The My Kasbah collection brings together properties inspected on-site in the Medina and nearby neighbourhoods. Every address has been physically verified by the team before being offered for rental.

Payment and confirmation

There is no online payment on the My Kasbah site — intentionally. The model is direct: once the rate and availability are confirmed on WhatsApp, payment terms (potential deposit, balance on arrival) are agreed directly with our team, depending on the property and season.

Payment is made in cash on arrival or by bank transfer as agreed — without going through a third-party platform. No service fee is added on top of the rate communicated.

Your booking confirmation is sent in writing on WhatsApp with a summary of the dates, property and rate. Simple, traceable, no intermediary.

Booking direct vs booking through a platform (OTA)

Both paths lead to the same property — but not to the same rate or service level.

Service fees vary by each platform's terms and are subject to change. Sources: Airbnb and Booking.com help pages, consulted June 2026.

How to book a riad in Marrakech directly — step by step

1. 1

   Browse the Collection (or a neighbourhood / occasion page)

   Explore the My Kasbah collection or the neighbourhood pages (Medina, Gueliz) and occasion pages (couple, family, group). Note the property or the criteria that match your trip.

2. 2

   Tap "Book on WhatsApp" and send your dates and number of guests

   From any property or guide page, the button opens a WhatsApp conversation with a pre-filled message. Complete it with your check-in and check-out dates and the number of people.

3. 3

   Receive the exact rate (no platform fee) and availability

   Usually within a few hours, our team replies with the net property rate for your dates and availability confirmation. No service fees added.

4. 4

   Confirm and agree on payment terms directly with the team

   A quick WhatsApp exchange to finalise details (arrival time, desired services) and agree on payment terms — potential deposit and balance, depending on the property and season. Everything is in writing in the conversation.

5. 5

   Enjoy 24/7 concierge service throughout your stay

   Before and during your stay, the team remains available on WhatsApp: airport transfer, restaurant recommendations, private chef, excursions to the Atlas or Essaouira. You have a local contact, not a call centre.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Airbnb — host service fee structure (host-only ~15.5%) — Consulted June 2026. The host-only model (host bears almost all fees) was progressively rolled out in late 2025.
• Booking.com — host commission (10–25% depending on the contract) — Consulted June 2026. Commission varies by property type and registration country.