Marakesh hotels & riads
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.
Family holidays to Morocco
Morocco is a great destination for all the family. A family trip to the North African country promises adventure, excitement, the chance to experience an ancient culture, and a large smattering of fun.
Generally, Morocco is very welcoming of children and a child friendly country to visit. Depending on your destination and the age of your children, there are a range of activities for all the family to enjoy.
Activities such as camel trekking are a great way of entertaining older children and teenagers, enabling them to get out and about and experience the richness of Moroccan countryside and stunning Atlas mountains.
If you have younger children, a family excursion in a jeep may be a better option, enabling the younger ones to have a sleep if the heat gets too much for them.
Visiting Marrakesh is an excellent family holiday because there’s lots to do within easy access of the central city. Oasiria Water Park is open throughout and a shuttle bus runs from the city to take you there. There is also an amusement park adjacent to the water park, with bouncy castles and other entertainment to keep the young (and young at heart) occupied.
In the Menara Gardens you can go on cycle rides, climb trees and enjoy a picnic, while at the Royal Equestrian Centre the whole family can have riding lessons and go for a pony trek.
If your children like to try new foods, you can usually ask for a smaller portion of food. In Marrakesh there are also familiar chains such as KFC and Macdonalds. You can also get pizza quite readily here.
Many of the Morocco hotels and riads that Morocco Gateway work with are family friendly, although it is always best to check before making a booking. In general, however, the noise and buzz that children create is welcome and expected in Moroccan destinations.
You can find Morocco Gateway’s family friendly riads and hotels here.
Image credits – CCA: Camel by Mr Angeloux; Marrakesh by Cafe du Monde.
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: 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.
Things to do in Morocco – interview with a tour guide
Pete Reed worked as a tour guide and driver in Morocco. Here he shares his recommendations for things to see and do on a trip to the North African country.
“The souks in Marrakech have to be seen to be believed,” says Pete. “They’re full of food, colourful spices and artisans selling leather goods and metal lanterns. These metal lanterns are very popular, you’ll see them all over Morocco.
“One of the best places to go in Marrakech itself is the Djemaa el Fna square, an open-air festival with drummers, storytellers, musicians and so on.”
Marrakech has a myriad attractions, including the amazing architecture of the Ben Youssef Medersa, the unmissable Koutoubia Minaret, the Jewish quarters and the Saadian Tombs. Especially in the summer, finding good refreshments are also essential.
“One of my favourite places is the grass Place et Mourabitoune,” Pete adds. “Here you can hire horse carriages and get your hands on the best ice cream in Morocco.”
Many visitors to Morocco will want to see not only the city but also the surrounding countryside.
“If you’re taking a driving holiday, the Tizi-n-Tichka pass from Marakech to Ait Benhaddou is a real drivers’ road,” comments Pete. “Be careful if you’re traveliing in the winter, though, it can get snowed up.”
Ait Benhaddou is a ksar or fortified city on the old caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara Desert. A World Heritage Site, Ait Benhaddou will be familiar to film buffs – many movies have been shot there, including Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, Time Bandits, The Mummy and Gladiator.
“For a more challenging drive, there’s the Tizi-n-Test pass, which is far smaller and windier,” Pete continues. “There’s an old mosque here that everyone – not just Muslims – is allowed inside, because it’s no longer in use. Though it’s abandoned, it’s fascinating for people who are into history and architecture.”
Care should be taken on this road as it is very narrow and windy in places, and local truck drivers travel at speed because they know the route very well. It’s best to proceed with caution as a tourist.
The journey is worth making, however. You’ll pass Mount Toubkal, the highest point in North Africa.
“Another place you should take a trip to from Marrakech is the Cascades D’Ouloud, the stunning tripple waterfall just a few hours from the city,” says Pete. “The falls are amazing and you can swim if you like.”
Travel down the coast and you will come to a city with a very different atmosphere.
“You have to go to Essaouira,” Pete enthuses. “It’s like a chilled-out version of Marrakech, about 100 miles down the coast.”
Essaouira means “image” and is certainly a picturesque location.
“It’s a walled city on the coast, with a crescent shaped beach where you can ride camels,” says Pete. “From there you can take a place on either a small or large boat to the islands off Essaouira; there’s a bird sanctuary there where you can see the Eleanor’s Falcon [an endangered species}.”
As for where to stay on your journey, Pete is clear:
“I recommend staying in Moroccan riads,” he says. “Essentially family homes, they are small and comfortable.”
For information on Moroccan riads in Marrakech, Essouira and beyond, visit Morocco Gateway.
Picture credits, from top – CCA: Mararkech, by reservasdecoches, Tizi-n-Tichka by zongo69, Sea at Essaouira by chigle
Reiki and yoga at Marrakech riad
Feeling stressed? Under pressure? Just a bit down? If you’re keen to get away from it all for a while to relax, recharge and rebalance your life, a four-day retreat of self-exploration, relaxation, yoga and reiki in a riad in Marrakech could be just what the doctor ordered.
Journey of Awakening is a chance to find your inner magic at the heart of Marrakech’s walled medina.
The four-day treat is a chance to find yourself in one of North Africa’s most beautiful and historic cities.
Taking place at Zamzam Riad, a three-star hotel in Marrakech’s central area, Journey of Awakening offers Ashtanga yoga and reiki.
Aisha Barzaghi will teach the dynamic practice of Ashtanga yoga, bringing strength and vitality to mind and body through breathwork and pranas. She is based in Marrakech and currently teaches yoga classes at Kasbah Tamadot, Sir Richard Branson’s Kasbah.
Reiki attunements and group practice will be led by Rebecca Hutley, a master of Usui and Tibetan Reiki for more than ten years.
To compliment the retreat you will also enjoy a tour of Marrakech medina, the places of the 7 Saints and will take a mule trip into the Atlas mountains.
Zamzam Riad is a beautifully complimentary location for this chilled out course. Originally the home of a fortune teller, the Marrakech riad has been lovingly resotred by Emma and Marcus Joyston-Bechal.
A hammam and plunge pool are available for use by guests and there is a lounge full of board and card games for evening entertainment.
Prices are all inclusive (except for flights). You will get:
All classes (Ashtanga Yoga and Reiki)
Spa – 1 Hammam, 1 massage, 1 Reiki session
Reiki Practitioners course
Medina Tour including the Seven Saints of Marrakech
Walking in the Atlas Mountains with a guide and mule, afterwards lunch at Kasbah Toubkal
Accommodation, food, drinks (not alcohol), transport, trips, guides & airport transfers.
Prices: £800 per person (based on two people sharing)
£700 per person (based on three sharing – men only or women only if you don’t know your room mates)
A £500 surcharge applies for the five nights if your require your own room.
Book the course here.
Morocco Gateway can offer special rates for Zamzam Riad throughout the year. To make an enquiry, contact Morocco Gateway.
Visiting Marrakech in May
Coming in to land at Marrakech Menara airport in May, the view from the plane’s window is one that will take your breath away – especially if this is the first time you’ve visited Morocco in Spring.
First to catch your eye is the unique, complex and beautiful colour palette made up by Marrakech’s earth, fields and buildings – sun-faded oranges, ochres, dusty browns and nuanced pink and ivory hues.
But overlaid on this palette – both in irregular, mottled brush-strokes and geometric designs of agricultural fields – can be seen verdant springtime greens. At angles from the tilting aircraft these become luminous under the fixed gaze of the North African sun.
Once you’re on the ground you will be greeted by a kaleidoscope of springtime flowers that seem to have rushed themselves into life as if aware of the daily-increasing power of the sun, which will soon exhaust Morocco over the baking summer months ahead.
Whites and pinks of the lauriers, iridescent reds, purples, oranges of the bougainvilleas, royal yellows of the hibiscus, to the ice blues and violet pinks of the clematis – colours heightened by the backdrop of a mid-blue azur sky that is unblemished except for a few drifting, whispy cloud flourishes.
Take a moment to stand back and breathe in the cool springtime air of Morocco – lightly and intermittently perfumed by the smell of the flowers, a change from the heavier spice and fruit aromas that suffuse Marrakech air at the end of summer and autumn when the sun has relentlessly strained, sweated and squeezed the oils and fragrances out into the air.
For information on hotels and riads in Marrakech and beyond, visit Morocco Gateway.
Hotel of the Week: Riad El Villa Arsa
Tranquillity can be hard to come by – especially in the heart of Marrakech. But it’s all a question of knowing where to look. This week, we turn our attention to a hotel in Marrakech’s centre that’s peaceful enough to be located high in the mountains.
Hotel: Riad El Arsa
Region: Marrakech
Address: 18 Derb El Arsa, Kennaria Medina
Rating: **
So you’re looking for somewhere peaceful to stay. You want to relax during your holiday and find a nice little riad in Marrakesh that’s off the beaten track, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The chances are you’re thinking you will have to stay out of town, which while tranquil means a long journey should you want to pop down to the medina to visit a restaurant, souk or shop. But it need not necessarily be so.
Riad El Villa Arsa is a traditional Moroccan riad at the heart of the city of Marrakesh that successfully maintains a relaxed and peaceful environment. It’s important to note, if you’re travelling with a family, that part of the reason for this is that the hotel does not allow children under 14 years old to stay unless the entire riad is booked exclusively.
El Arsa is just minutes away from the medina with its multitude of attractions, although it can be a little hard to find at first because of its tucked away location. Therefore, it’s recommended that you make use of the ‘meet and greet’ service, where a member of staff will meet you at the airport and guide you straight to El Arsa’s door.
The enthusiastic, fluent English staff are one of the highlights of this riad. They are all too happy to help and provide advice on the best parts of Marrakech to explore. Should your wanderlust take you further afield, the riad’s staff can also arrange excursions and treks to the Atlas mountains, complete with a guide.
There are four bedrooms, which can be block booked for one party or reserved individually. All rooms are air conditioned and there are double and twin beds available (with an extra single bed in one of the rooms). The riad is tastefully decorated and benefits from Spanish influences in the decor – terracotta pots large enough to hide a man in pepper the courtyard, while the restaurant has a rustic feel.
Breakfast is included in the price of your stay and can be served on the roof terrace, courtyard or in the restaurant. You can also arrange lunch and dinner if required and can suggest food you’d like to try or leave it up to the staff.
The roof terrace is superb for sunbathing and overlooks the medina and snow-capped Atlas mountains. There’s also a plunge pool in the courtyard – perfect for chilling out on a hot day. Should you get too hot, or should the weather be unfavourable, there are two lounges available to relax in, complete with music to listen to and a library of books to browse.
Morocco Gateway can offer you special rates for your stay at Riad El Villa Arsa. 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.