Hotel of the Week
Hotel of the Week: Riad Dar Sbihi
If you’re looking for a relaxing break a stone’s throw from Marrakech’s medina, Riad Dar Sbihi could be the one for you.
Hotel: Riad Dar Sbihi
Address: 25, Derb Taht El-Khochba, Zaouia El-Abbassia
Rating: ***
Riad Dar Sbihi sits to the north of Marrakech’s medina, away from the hustle and bustle of city life but just 15 minutes walk from the souks and main square.
Owners Sibylle and Saad Sbihi live in the riad full time, meaning they can always give advice and information to travellers and are more than happy to share their expert knowledge of Marrakech and surrounding area.
Dar Sbihi is a classically designed riad with four arcades giving access to all the rooms. Inside, the riad has been decorated by local craftsmen with Fes-style sculpted plaster, furniture carved from cedar wood and coloured glass windows surrounded by prettily patterned curtains.
This is a large riad, with five standard rooms, three mini suites and two large suites. One of the suites has its own private terrace.
The bathrooms are tiled in a traditional Moroccan style but are European in style. A real treat is contained within, as shower gels, soaps and other toiletries made locally using the famous Moroccan argan oil are on hand for guests to use.
Home made toiletries are also used in the marble hammam, where body scrubs and massages are on offer.
Breakfast is included in the price of your stay and there are also options for lunch and dinner, serving a range of traditional Moroccan cuisine. Mint tea and a selection of pastries are also available.
Indoors, there are two lounges in which to relax, also doubling up as a restaurant in the unlikely event that bad weather prevents eating in the courtyards.
The courtyard itself is beautiful and relaxing with a huge variety of fauna, including peach, banana and lime trees. A fountain filled with fresh flowers provides a central focal point.
Riad Dar Sbihi’s four terraces enable guests to view the Atlas Mountains and nearby sanctuary of Sidi Bel-Abbes. There’s a sun deck on one terrace to soak up the rays, and inside the Douiria (‘small house’) is a small swimming pool for guests to cool down in during the day.
If you’re planning an energetic holiday, there are bikes available for hire, and you can also explore the surrounding area on camel back or quad bike, go horse riding or take a flight in a hot air balloon. All in all, a hotel with something for everyone.
Morocco Gateway can offer special rates for guests at Riad Dar Sbihi. For more information, contact us via our booking enquiry page.
We also have many special offers on Morrocan hotels and riads, both in Marrakech and beyond.
Hotel of the week: Riad Ksiba
Got a fascination for reading, writing and literature? Riad Ksiba in Marrakech could be your ideal destination.
Name: Riad Ksiba
Address: Derb Kbala No. 147, Marrakech Medina
Rating: ***
Ksiba opened its doors in 2004 after two years of extensive restoration work using traditional Moroccan craftsmen and skills. Najib Tabiai, the accomplished Moroccan architect, oversaw the restoration work and the hotel has been given a First Class licence by Marrakech’s tourism board.
The literary theme is encapsulated in the naming of the six suites – each is called after a famous Moroccan writer. Many of the bedrooms have seating areas, while the Nizar Suite comes with its won private terrace on which to curl up with a book or write your own stories with notepad and pen.
There are plenty of communal relaxation areas, too. The roof terrace, for example, has an open shower to take the edge off on a hot day and has many parasol covered sun loungers to lie on.
On the ground floor you will find the plunge pool, which is surrounded by banana, orange and lemon trees that provide ample shade.
Internally, there are two salons – one summer, one winter – in which you can rest, read, play games and generally relax.
There is no real in-house restaurant at Ksiba, but the kitchen can serve three meals a day, and caters for vegetarian, vegan and other special dietary requirements.
Breakfast is included in the price of your stay and, so long as you request it at breakfast time, lunch and dinner can be cooked for a small charge. The riad’s staff will go to the market and purchase the ingredients fresh on the day, ensuring a delicious meal.
Riad Ksiba is located south of the main Marrakech medina, meaning it’s ideal for exploring the city on foot. Nadia, the riad’s owner, is happy to give advice on places to visit, while car and driver hire and personal shoppers and guides can also be arranged.
Morocco Gateway can offer special rates for guests at Riad Ksiba. For more information, contact us via our booking enquiry page.
We also have many special offers on Morrocan hotels and riads, both in Marrakech and beyond.
Hotel of the week: La Maison Arabe
If you’re looking for a getaway with a culinary flavour then here’s a Marrakech riad that will really tickle your tastebuds. La Maison Arabe was originally the site of popular Marrakech restaurant during the 1920s. It opened as a riad in 1946 and is now one of the city’s most popular and well-known places to stay.
Hotel: La Maison Arabe
Address: 1 Derb Assehbé, Bab Doukkala , Médina Marrakech
Rating: ****
Food remains central to La Maison Arabe. The riad has two restaurants that are open to guests and visitors alike. Le Restaurant is highly decorated in a traditional Moroccan style, with a hand-painted zouaké ceiling and traditional Moroccan menu.
You will dine accompanied by the gentle tones of lute and guitar and can sample the specialities of the house with some dishes unique to the hotel.
For a less formal dining experience, La Maison Arabe’s second restaurant, Saveurs d’Ailleurs, offers a more modern fusion cuisine of several international dishes in a tapas style. Here, the musical accompaniment is provided by Andalusian pianists.
La Maison Arabe has a famous cookery school, so if the delicious dishes you taste in the two restaurants have whetted your appetite to learn the secrets of Moroccan cookery you can do it without leaving the hotel.
Moroccan chefs will teach you how to cook a variety of dishes, and English, Arabic and French interpreters are all available to help.
Step out of the kitchen and you’ll enter a world of relaxation. An on-site hammam offers traditional steam baths, massages, facials and mud baths, with many of the treatments using locally produced herbs and plants.
There is a private swimming pool, gardens and kasbah located just outside the city, accessible by the riad’s free, private shuttle service in just 15 minutes.
Here there are shaded areas in which you can relax and enjoy light refreshments from the snack bar.
At the main hotel there are two patios, one with an impressive water feature, the other shaded by olive trees and both full of flowers.
Staff at the hotel can arrange activities a little further afield. Golf, tennis and camel riding are among the activities available. Additionally, Maison Arabe is located just minutes from the heart of Marrakech medina.
Morocco Gateway can offer special rates on La Maison Arabe, as well as other riads in Marrakech and beyond.
Click to make a booking enquiry and find out more about this hotel.
Hotel of the Week: Tigmi
Looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life? This riad in Marrakech region is perfectly located just 20 minutes away from the city.
Hotel: Tigmi
Address: Douar Tagadert el Kadi, Km 24 Route d’Amizmiz, Outside Marrakech
Rating: ***
Tagadert is a small village not far from central Marrakech, ideally located between the bustling city and the tranquil beauty of the Atlas Mountains. The main house of Tigmi has stood on this site since 1840 and was recently renovated by teams of local master artisans.
A second house, on the other side of the farm track, was built in 2008 and provides more modern accommodation that nevertheless retains its rustic roots.
There is one swimming pool in each house and relaxation is an important part of the Tigmi experience. It’s very peaceful and you can enjoy being pampered in the large hammam, which has rooms for each separate therapy for an intimate and private experience. Treatements include steam room, gym, massage and skin care.
Outside, you can chill in the shade of banana palms, citrus and olive trees or catch some sun on the stretch of lawn beside the pool. Some of the suites have their very own private plunge pool, others a private courtyard, and for groups of family and friends there are some rooms that are interconnected.
For a break from the sun there are lounges full of books – all written in English – where you can marvel at the high ceilings and authentic decoration as you read. The lounges benefit from a great deal of natural light thanks to courtyards connected to them.
Tigmi’s restaurant serves delicious food made from local ingredients where possible – the olive oil used is produced just 500 yards from the riad! Vegetarian and other special diets can be catered for so long a you let the hotel know in advance.
The vast majority of the staff come from the village and can fill you in on what to do during your stay. Because of the remote location of this riad, sports including hiking, mountain biking and water sports are popular activities – you can even try microlight flying if you so desire!
Take a wander into the village and return with many authentic Moroccan goods. Tigmi even employs its own weaver, who will make you a piece to order.
Morocco Gateway can offer special rates on Tigmi, as well as other riads in Marrakech and beyond.
Click to make a booking enquiry and find out more about this hotel.
Hotel of the Week: Ryad Mabrouka
Planning on visiting Fez for a romantic break? We’d recommend one of the Fez riads just ten minutes walk from the ancient medina.
Hotel: Ryad Mabrouka
Address: 25 Derb El Mitter, Talaa Kbira, Fez Médina, 30200, Fez
Rating: ***
Ryad Mabrouka is a Fez hotel with romance at its heart. Should you be there to celebrate a honeymoon or other romantic occasion, the hotel staff will provide flower and wine in your room. Fez itself is steeped in romance and is Morocco’s oldest Imperial city, packed with spiritual and cultural highlights and with a truly magical feel.
The riad was built in 1920, making it comparatively modern for Fez. It was transformed into a guesthouse in 2000 and comprises six suites and two rooms. As well as a perfect retreat for couples, Ryad Mabrouka is ideal for those wanting to explore the city or people keen to relax and recharge their batteries.
Mabrouka’s interiors are well furnished and decorated with a mixture of French and Moroccan art. The sculpted platerwork, cedar wood ceilings and mosaics have been preserved and the hotel’s owners have also added contemporary comforts including air conditionng and heating in the ground floor guest rooms and en-suite facilities for all rooms.
All of the riad’s rooms are arranged around a central courtyard, which contains a swimming pool accessible through the internal courtyard, which contains a fountain surrounded by seating.
On top of the riad is a roof terrace where you will experience stunning views of the historic city and surrounding countryside. Here you will find ample sun beds to relax on.
Dinner is serverd on the veranda and is a combination of French and Mediterranean cuisine. If you fancy eating out, there are myriad eateries for every taste in Fez’s main square.
There are souks aplenty and many small shops to browse off the main square, but Fes is also surrounded by countryside and hiking, horse riding and cycling trips can easily be arranged.
Trips to the famous Roman ruins at Volubilis can be arranged, as can transfers to other cities in Morocco.
Morocco Gateway can offer special deals on your stay at Ryad Mabrouka. Click here to make an enquiry.
Hotel of the Week: Riad el Mezouar
Looking for a royal retreat? Then check out Riad el Mezouar, a Moroccan riad fit for a king (or queen).
Hotel: Riad el Mezouar
Address: 28 Derb el Hammam, Issebtinne, 40000 Marrakech
Rating: ***
Based in the North of Marrakech medina, Riad el Mezouar is an elegant town house dating back to the 18th Century. Once owned by Moroccan royalty, the name means “head of the family” and the riad has a classy feel. It’s owned by Michel Durand-Meyrier, an interior designer who has maintained the original architecture of the building and preserved its character while at the same time giving it a contemporary and comfortable feel.
When the riad was restored, Michel employed only local craftsmen and traditional materials to add to the authentic feel. Being environmentally conscious was also high on his priorities and touches such as ceiling fans in place of air conditioning are of note.
There are five rooms in this riad – three suites and two doubles, all en-suite and all uniquely decorated in different styles. Throughout the rooms and halls of this Marrakesh riad you will find an eclectic mix of art from Africa, Asia and Europe, while bespoke silk fabrics drape over the furniture. The eye is naturally drawn to these stunning furnishings thanks to the minimalist whitewashed walls.
Step outside to the courtyard garden and the first thing that hits you is the glorious scent – lavender, jasmine and myrtle create an olfactory delight. This garden borders an Arabian marble fountain and the swimming pool, where energetic guests can work out with aqua gym lessons.
Riad Mezouar also has a roof terrace with sunbeds and seating areas, all overlooking the Atlas Mountains. Indoors, communal salons are available for guests to use at any time, and there’s also a small library and gift shop to peruse.
Although there is no in house spa, you can enjoy spa treatments including massage with essential oils.
Meals are an exquisite mix of Oriental, Asian and French cooking, making use of herbs from the courtyard and fruit from the surrounding trees. The chef was previously employed by Lailla Aicha, sister of King Hassan the Second, so you’re always guaranteed a quality feed. You can also learn how to cook the meals yourself as the chef offers cookery lessons.
Private concerts of Arabo-Andalusian music can be arranged by the hotel staff and excursions can also be organised around the city and to the Atlas mountains.
Morocco Gateway can offer special rates for guests at Riad el Mezouar. For more information, contact us via our booking enquiry page.
We also have many special offers on Morrocan hotels and riads, both in Marrakech and beyond.
Hotel of the Week: Riad Zina
Fancy a city break in Marrakech? That’s probably a silly question – who wouldn’t want to visit this hotbed of culture and history at the gateway to North Africa? If you’re considering spending a lot of your time in the historic city, Zina is a riad in Marrakech’s heart – ideal for exploring the city.
Hotel: Riad Zina
Address: 38 Derb Assabane, Riad Laarouss, 40008 Marrakech Medina
Rating: ***
Riad Zina is a 350-year-old family house converted into a riad in 1998. Just north of Marrakesh’s ancient medina, this is the perfect base from which to experience the many attractions of the city and beyond.
When the riad was renovated by owner Beate Prinz, the guest house’s original architecture was preserved and the resultant feel is very much of a traditional Moroccan house with the added benefit of modern comforts.
Many worlds are fused together for a leisurely and relaxing atmosphere, contemporary furnishings and original features blending seamlessly. In the Alkamar Suite cedar wood ceilings and intricate plasterwork remain from the original house, while elsewhere throughout the riad Beate displays the work of modern Moroccan artists.
The whitewashed walls and ochre tadlekt are contrasted with retro furnishings from 1970s France and lovingly collected from local flea markets.
Outside, there is a traditional Islamic garden and courtyard with some gigantic cacti that have to be seen to be believed – they’re as high as the roof of the riad. There is also a fountain full of fresh roses around which there is seating for you to relax. There’s also a resident tortoise who’s always eager to meet guests.
The main square of Marrakech is just 20 minutes walk away and here there are plenty of places to experience traditional Moroccan cuisine. Within the riad itself, authentic Moroccan meals are available and if you wish you can get involved in the preparation of these meals.
Friendly and knowledgeable, the staff are always willing to recommend and help organise excursions for guests. Horse riding, swimming, golf and spa trips are just a few examples, and if you happen to be celebrating a special occasion during your trip to Morocco, they will be more than happy to organise celebrations for honeymoons, birthdays and the like.
Morocco Gateway offers special rates for guests at Riad Zina. For more information, contact us via our booking enquiry page.
We also have many special offers on Marrakesh hotels and riads.
Hotel of the Week: Riad Fes
If you’re looking for a luxurious break in Fes, Riad Fes could be the place for you. Located just minutes from the city’s bustling medina, this Fes riad is the perfect combination of traditional and modern Moroccan style.
Name: Riad Fes
Address: Derb Ben Slimane, Fes
Rating: ***
Recently given a bit of a makeover, Riad Fes combines a traditional wing with wooden ceilings and stucco with a modern wing featuring contemporary oriental styles and baroque influences, plus an entirely new third wing.
All rooms within the riad are en suite and whether in the modern or traditional areas all are beautifully and tastefully decorated.
For real luxury, book the Royal Suite. From its private balcony you will experience stunning views over the medina and beyond to the Atlas mountains.
The deluxe rooms are found in the modern area while the standard rooms are within the original part of the riad, offering a more authentically Moroccan experience.
Traditional Moroccan food is served in both Riad Fes’s restaurants, L’Ambre and L’Oriental. Here the menu includes tagines, soups and other meals cooked with ingredients from the local souk.
Le Salon Oriental, the riad’s lounge bar, offers a range of cocktails, liquers, wines and cigars. There is live music from a different local musical troupe every night.
Because of its location in central Fes, the city’s attractions are all easily accessible from this riad, and staff can even arrange guided tours of the city. For golf fans, they can also arrange a trip to Royal Golf, offering a specifically tailored golf experience.
If you fancy spending some time around the riad, there’s a 14×14m pool that you can dip into or relax around the edges on sun loungers. The pool is open 24 hours a day. You can also enjoy a thorough massage in the hammam and browse the library and souvenir shop.
Riad Fes is located 25 miles from Fez airport and pick up and drop off can be arranged on request. The beach at Casablanca is three hours drive away.
Morocco Gateway offers special rates for guests at Riad Fes. For more information, contact us via our booking enquiry page.
We also have offers on many other Moroccan hotels and riads in Fes and beyond.
Hotel of the week: Riad El Cadi
Fancy a Moroccan holiday in a riad steeped in culture? If visiting museums and antiquing are among your favourite pastimes, a hotel full of artefacts will suit your perfectly. El Cadi, a riad in Marrakesh, is that hotel.
Hotel: Riad El Cadi
Address: 87 Derb Moulay Abdelkader, Dabachi, Medina, Marrakech
Rating: ***
The central building of Riad El Cadi was originally a 14th Century house owned by a nobleman. Far later, a former German ambassador combined that dwelling with seven surrounding buildings to create a larger than average riad.
The result is a spacious and winding guesthouse and a meander through the courtyards, staircases and corridors of the seven houses providing the perfect view of ancient Moroccan architecture.
Clay pots, watercolour paintings and prints – artefacts you’d expect to find in a museum – line the walls of the 12 guest rooms, but there’s more. Not only are early Berber textiles, Islamic and Byzantine art worked into the rooms, there are also many pieces of modern art produced by friends of the ambassador.
Outside in the courtyard there are alcoves perfect for reading and relaxing and there are plenty of shady areas to take a break from the sun. There’s also a roof terrace where you can sunbathe, with sun shades available, overlooking the medina.
Just minutes from the main Jemaa el Fna square, Riad El Cadi offers all the benefits of a city centre riad while remaining quiet and peaceful.
Because of the design of the building, many of the guest suites interconnect, making it ideal for groups and families travelling together. Many of the suites have a private balcony or access to the courtyard.
For those requiring a more intimate room, the petite suite is a cosy choice, while the Blue House is a good choice for groups who want to stay together, with two bedrooms, kitchenette and own courtyard.
Riad El Cadi serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The former meals are usually light in style, while dinner is a three course affair. The cuisine is traditional Moroccan fayre with a few international touches. El Cadi’s chef can cater for a range of diets – including fussy eaters!
From the riad’s central location you can visit many of Marrakech’s attractions on foot, and the hotel can also arrange local activities such as tennis, golf and camel riding.
For special deals on Riad El Cadi, contact Morocco Gateway.
We can also offer a range of special offers on many Morocco riads and hotels.
Hotel of the week: Riad Bahia
Travelling as a family or group of friends, there’s nothing nicer than having a hotel or riad that’s exclusive to your party for the duration of your stay. If you are visiting Morocco as part of a group, chances are you’ll be searching for Moroccan riads and hotels of a smaller, more intimate nature. One that we can highly recommend is Riad Bahia, situated in Meknes.
Hotel: Riad Bahia
Region: Meknes, Fez
Address: Tiberbarine, Ancienne Médina,
Rating: **
Riad Bahia was a family house for four generations before being converted into a riad in 2003. Designed around the traditional internal courtyard, Bahia has four bedrooms on the upper floors.
You can chose from standard double or twin rooms and more spacious mini suites. The rooms face either the courtyard or the street, and it’s worth bearing in mind there can be some noise from the street.
Meknes, in the Fez region of Morocco, has many attractions, all of which are in walking distance of Riad Bahia.
Bahia is located behind the museum Dar Jamaï of Moroccan decorative arts and there are also hammams and swimming pools close by. Babal Mansour (town walls) is another popular attractions in the vicinity.
In addition, staff can arrange excursions to the Atlas Mountains, cider forest, archaeological site Volubilis and the coast.
Facilities within the riad include a courtyard that includes plenty of shaded areas, as well as a roof terrace for sunbathing. Inside there are lounges with satellite television and a small library that guests can use.
The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, all made from fresh ingredients found in the local medina. Vegetarian meals are available although regrettably other specific dietary requirements cannot be catered for. Riad Bahia does not serve any alcohol but there are delicious fruit cocktails available, along with the ubiquitous mint tea.
Riad Bahia is an environmentally conscious establishment – plants are specifically chosen to defend the riad from insects instead of using pesticides, natural fertiliser is used to grow them, and baskets are used for shopping instead of plastic bags.
Morocco Gateway can offer you special rates for your stay at Riad Bahia. Just follow the link to make a booking or enquiry.
We also have information on a wide range of Moroccan riads and hotels, including exclusive discounts.