Morocco : Marrakech

This busy Moroccan town is located in the northern part of the country with good access to all the country best assets. It is close enough to the Atlas Mountains for a day trip, only two hours from the coast and a stunning days drive to the edge of the Sahara desert. Within the city walls there are several enchanting small Guest Houses and Riads, from which you can explore the winding maze of the Marrakech Souk and the several architectural wonders of the city. Outside the city wall there are a number of superb larger hotels and three excellent 18 hole golf courses within a short drive. During your stay in Marrakech you must experience an evening at Djemma el-Fna, where people from all over Morocco come to exhibit various highlights of the Moroccan culture and lifestyle.

click on the photos for a larger version

Marrakech Souk	Djemma el-Fna

Quick links:
Dar les Cigognes	Villa des Orangers
Dar el Assafir	La Maison Arabe
Riad Noga	Caravanserai
Riad Kaiss	Dar Anyiwan
Riad Enija	Amanjena

Dar Les Cigognes
In a traditional Arab house, a riad, daily life centres around the central courtyard. Here you will find fruit trees and a fountain, the gentle sound of which washes away the stresses of the day. The elegance of the décor will provide the calm and comfort after a day of touring the medina.

Every room in the riad is unique, drawing on the rich cultural heritage of Moorish art and décor. At the end of a day full of sights, tastes, and smells, Dar Les Cigognes provides a calming atmosphere for you to relax in. The riad is made up of two town houses connected by a bridge over the alleyway

They have opted for cool and soothing colours in the courtyard, while the 11 rooms & suites each take their cue from a different region of Morocco. You will find Berber designs represented, as well as the craftwork of Fes and the other imperial cities. Throughout, they have stayed true to the spirit of a traditional Marrakech riad, but have updated it to suit the requirements of the modern traveller.

From the roof terrace, you can watch the sun set and the ancient minaret of the Koutoubia mosque stands out in the distance. On a clear day you can see the snow covered peaks of the Atlas Mountains.

click on the photos for a larger version

dining room	bedroom	roof terrace

Dar el Assafir
This old traditional town guest-house (maison d'hotes) is built within the old Medina walls in the Bar Doukala region of Marrakech, and only 15 minutes walk from the entertaining Djemma el-Fna. Behind the impressive ochre walls you will find a subtle yet lavish traditional Moroccan home set around two courtyards. One containing a traditional mosaic decorated swimming pool with a relaxing, spacious area to enjoy your meals or the heat of the day. The other courtyard unveils a bright and cheerful small exotic garden. Inside the walls of the Dar El Assafir it is remarkably peaceful, with only the birds breaking the silence with their cheerful chattering, translated into English 'Dar El Assafir' means the 'House of birds'.

There are six rooms, all decorated differently with their own charm and style, while each one looks out onto one of the courtyards, some also have terraces and fireplaces and fabulous mosaic bathrooms. A further three bedrooms and two bathrooms make up the Swallow Apartment, this is ideal for families or small groups.

There is a comfortable and cosy sitting room and dining room, although most stays are on a bed and breakfast basis (to enable you the freedom to enjoy a number of Marrakech's fabulous restaurants), it is also easy to arrange evening meals within the guesthouse. From the ochre red roof terrace, you can enjoy views and gentle hum of the ancient city, while in the evening the stunning sunset should not be missed.

click on the photos for a larger version

courtyard	pool	bathroom

Riad Noga
This luxurious riad is tucked away into a quiet corner of the ancient walled city, only 10 minutes walk from the Djemaa El Fna, and offers its guests all the amenities of modern life as well as the charm of traditional Moroccan ornamentation.

The hotel comprises two riads joined together. In the main house, with its soothing tones, there are two bedrooms, a dining room with vaulted ceiling, and sitting room. The newer, adjoining guest wing is more colourful in design, and houses a green tiled swimming pool, a dining room with fireplace for chillier evenings and five bedrooms. There are three private roof terraces for sunbathing and all rooms are en-suite and air-conditioned.

click on the photos for a larger version

dinner	pool	bedroom

Riad Kaiss
A delightful riad-style hotel situated in the heart of the medina and only 5 minutes walk from the Djemaa el Fna Square. A big wooden door leads through to the small patio garden into a world of greenery in the interior court where one can relax and enjoy the peace away from the bustle of the streets outside. At night the fountains, lanterns and fireplaces adds a bit of magic to the experience. It has 8 charming rooms, each with a private bathroom and all very different from each other. This riad was completely renovated by a French Architect Christian Ferre with many authentic Moroccan-style features. It has two riad courtyards - a large and a small with gurgling fountains as well as two comfortable salons each with open fireplaces. There are a couple of terraces to relax on and a pool on the roof to cool down in in the heat of the day. Breakfast is served at your convenience either in your room, on the terrace or in the court garden.

click on the photos for a larger version

bedroom	bedroom	interior court

Riad Enija
Winding along the ochre lofty walls of the old city, Riad Enija is a treasure behind the mysterious walls. If you are looking for a small and truly authentic Moroccan stay, this is the place. It is right in the heart of the Medina and just of the edge of the maze of souks. Plenty of work and care has gone into restoring the nine rooms with stunning mosaic work and intricate carvings. Each room has a different theme but they are all colourful and extremely well decorated with plenty of silk, rich colours, carpets and floor cushions, all the rooms are en-suite. Each room either looks onto the central leafy courtyard with its stunning flowers, orange trees, and central fountain or onto the roof terrace, which commands views of the old town. The riad is only three minutes walk from the Djemma el-Fna and is one of the most desirable riads within the Medina.

click on the photos for a larger version

courtyard	room	roof terrace

Villa des Orangers
This stunning 5 star Riad within the Medina walls in the Koutoubia area of the city is a personal favourite, superbly decorated yet comfortable and informal. The perfect compliment to the hustle and bustle of the various activities found in Marrakech, only a few hundred metres from the well-known Djamma el-Fna. A hidden gem in the Medina.

From the moment you enter the high walled walkway, you feel as though you are entering another world to explore. A multi lingual manageress who will make you feel at home instantly, will welcome you. The Riad, built in 1930, has recently been renovated, but has kept all the original traditional Moroccan features; striking walls coated in rich mosaic patterns and cedar hand-carved and painted ceilings, to name a few. There are 16 lavish en-suite rooms all independently decorated, with air conditioning, a safe box, mini bar, satellite television and a phone, some have private terraces.

The Villa is based around a central courtyard that is adorned with orange blossom trees, exotic plants and beautiful fountains. Guests can enjoy a number of private sitting rooms, the restaurant serving local dishes and the complimentary open bar offering soft drinks, mint tea (Moroccan whisky) and pastries. A small swimming pool is located on the roof terrace where complementary soft drinks are served; you can also enjoy views of the Atlas Mountains and the famous Koutoubia Mosque, which dominates the centre of Marrakech.

click on the photos for a larger version

pool	roof terrace	sitting room

La Maison Arabe
Two eccentric French ladies opened La Maison Arabe door's initially, Medames Sebillon-Larochette in the 1940's, as the first Moroccan restaurant in the Old Medina. They had persuaded a high official to lend them a cook and then assist their project, it soon became a legendary gourmet meeting-place. More recently, Prince Fabrizio Ruspoli and Philippe Cluzel have renovated the two riads (traditional town houses) into a small, but luxuriously appointed hotel. The hotel is situated within the Medina walls, a few minutes walk from the commercial centre of Marrakech. The hotel's private tropical gardens and pool are a 10-minute shuttle bus ride (provided by the hotel) out of the city and for the exclusive use of its guests. There is a spacious colourful courtyard for the guests to enjoy at the guest house.

There are six suites and four double bedrooms of individual style and décor unequalled in Marrakech, all rooms are en-suite, have either a terrace or patio and most have an open fireplace. The rooms are named after characters from '1001 Arabian Nights' and contain themed antiques, furniture and colours to evoke the spirit of their namesake.

click on the photos for a larger version

restaurant	courtyard	bedroom

Caravanserai
Caravanserai, a Persian word, describes a resting place on trading routes where merchants would stop to water camels, on the edge of cities, washing, eating and sleeping before going into town to sell their wares. With this in mind a small 17 bed roomed hotel has been designed, in the Palmeraie area just 10 minutes drive from Marrakech and where the emphasis is still on relaxation and pampering. On arrival, it's like going back in time, you enter a small village with children playing and chickens pecking the ground yet you are so close to the bustling city.

There is a rustic feel to the hotel but much care and attention has been taken in the small luxuries, the decoration, the courtyards, rooms and roof terraces are colourful and tasteful. There are a number of roof terraces, some private with the rooms but all have great views, some of the Atlas Mountains, the River Tensift and the skyline of the city. The 17 rooms are all individually decorated, some have fireplaces and 2 have private pools, they all have en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning. The hotel has a hammam, full size swimming pool, bar, restaurant and several terraces. The Caravanserai operates a free minibus service to and from Marrakech city centre three times daily. They will also assist with excursions to the Atlas Mountains, Essaouira, palm groves, camel treks, horse riding, quad bikes, golf and walking.

click on the photos for a larger version

bedroom	room with pool	private terrace

Dar Anyiwan
Set in five acres of incredibly beautiful gardens, strewn with palm, orange, olive, oleander and fig trees, this exclusive hideaway is only a fifteen-minute drive from the centre of Marrakech, located in the Palmeraie. The splendid villa, in its Arab-Andalusian style, is a maze of tradition, where at every turn there are arches, lanterns, antiques and alcoves. The imposing pool is hard to resist, and at night, when adorned by lantern-light, the effect is dazzling.

There are four rooms and two suites, each individually and richly decorated, plus a detached little house in the grounds, which comprises a bedroom, living room with fireplace, bathroom and terrace. There are two dining rooms and a living room with a fireplace. Other facilities include a hammam (steam bath), sauna, and a private office with computer, fax and Internet.

click on the photos for a larger version

the gardens	the pool	suite

Amanjena
Amanjena means peaceful paradise and perfectly describes this luxurious hotel unrivalled in Morocco. It is only seven kilometres from the busy Marrakech centre and the endless souks yet the hotel is set in spacious, tranquil gardens and the perfect place to relax at the beginning or end of your holiday.

Amanjena's 34 pavilions and six, two-storey maisons are set within an oasis of palms and old olive trees and all over look one of the three stunning water features. Each pavilion is air-conditioned and includes a king sized bed, a high domed living room, a spacious bathroom and dressing area. There is also a mini-bar, a CD player and a television. Each pavilion also enjoys a private courtyard complemented by a minzah (gazebo), a lounge sofa and a dining area.

There is a heated outdoor swimming pool and Pool Terrace, where lunch and refreshments are served through out the day. There is also a Health Centre, with its hammams (steam baths) for men and women, along with separate whirlpools. The hotel is situated alongside an 18-hole golf course with a second course, a royal golf course, less than a kilometre away. Other facilities include a gym, treatment and massage rooms, a beauty salon and two hard-surface tennis courts, lit for night play.

click on the photos for a larger version

garden	room	water feature