A grand, colonial-style riad with an elegant Old World atmosphere, 10 luxurious suites spread throughout four interconnected houses, an eight-metre pool, grand salons and terraces furnished with ornate rattan sofas piled with pillows, and one of the best spas in Marrakech.
A prime, super accessible location just off Rue Sidi Abdelaziz, a few steps east of the Musée des Confluences located in the royal palace, Dar el Bacha. From here it’s a few minutes’ walk to the prime shopping area of Mouassine and half a mile (1km) walk to the Djemaa el Fna. There’s a taxi rank at Dar el Bacha.
Stepping through the unassuming door into the stage-set central courtyard, with its neat orange trees and nicely furnished porticos and grand salons, is like stepping into a Delacroix painting. The décor makes great use of subtle and shade to conjure a dramatic, romantic effect: the floors and woodwork shine a blueish-grey, offsetting the green lawn and white walls, and framing romantic interiors filled with colonial and Second Empire furniture and paintings.
A secluded second patio, accessed through a small boutique, features a granite black pool surrounded by wicker loungers and backed by a delightful orangery-cum-bar sporting a great Zuber mural. Off this patio, there’s a third riad with four large suites, which is perfect for groups. The pièce de résistance is the gorgeous spa, accessed amusingly through a secret, mirrored door. In this utterly tranquil, secluded space sybarites can truly switch off.
Charming Laurent Bocca and his assistant Aziz manage a team of 23 well-trained staff. They take great care of guests, spending time settling people in, ferrying poolside drinks and offering guidance on Medina dining, shopping and excursions. On arrival an ironing service is also offered and guests are supplied with a handy mobile phone. While there’s no formal restaurant, the riad offers dozens of atmospheric dining spots: a lantern-lit patio, a grand dining salon or seated snugly in one of the romantic terraces.
The gorgeous spa completes the great offering. Presided over by super knowledgeable Arkia el-Baz (formerly at the Royal Mansour) it offers a deeply attentive hammam experience and a range of great massages, utilising organic Nectarome products packed with active ingredients obtained through a cold-press process.
The 10 large rooms and suites sport the same moody, romantic, turn-of-the-century vibe with black lacquered furniture and graphic floor tiles offset by sparkling chandeliers, Venetian mirrors, period silver bathroom fittings and cut crystal vases full of creamy roses. The detailing is impressive: wardrobes are lined with gentle leather, subtles come on via dimmer switches, spacious linens come from Maison de Blanc and each room has spoiling underfloor heating. Standard rooms are snug so my advice would be to go for a suite, which feature fainting couches and great bathrooms with roll-top tubs and double showers.
In winter, breakfast is served on the sunny terrace with views of the serrated Atlas in the distance, while in winter everyone dines in the grand salon. Platters of crunchy pastries and coffee are followed by little coupes of fruit and homemade yogurt, and eggs and omelettes are available to order. Poolside salads and skewered chicken are served for lunch, while dinner (which must be ordered in the morning) showcases Moroccan dishes such as tangia: a signature stew cooked for six hours in spices and preserved lemon.
There are two, accessible ground-floor rooms, although they are not specifically adapted.
Only those 16 years old and over are accepted into the hotel.
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