Morocco Gateway
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.
Moroccan treats – argan oil
One of Morocco’s most famous products, argan oil is now a staple ingredient in many kitchens. Produced from the kernels of the argan tree, which is only native to Morocco and Algeria although it used to be prevalent across North Africa, argan oil has a distinctive, nutty flavour and is used in cookery and as a dip for breads, drizzle for couscous or dressing for salad. When visiting Morocco you’re sure to encounter argan oil, or ‘Moroccan gold’ in a range of dishes.
Argan trees are very well adapted to arid, desert-like conditions, which means it grows well in drought prone areas such as south west Morocco.
The trees have been harvested since Berber times and they are also popular with the free-roaming goats, which like to climb them to feast upon the leaves. An entertaining sight for visitors to Morocco is that of the goats balanced precariously in
This, combined with an increasing demand for wood, means that the trees have become increasingly rare, and are now protected by UNESCO.
The oil itself is extracted from the kernels of argan nuts, and in certain areas of Morocco you can see Berber women bashing the kernels with stones to prepare them for oil extraction. These women’s co-operatives are vital to the economies of many parts of Morocco and help keep the villages alive.
Argan oil is such in vitamin E and fatty acids, and can be used in such products as soap, massage oil and anti-ageing cream, as well as for cookery.
You can pick up argan oil throughout Morocco at a fraction of the price you’d get it for in the UK. Therefore, it’s well worth stocking up before your trip home.
Image credit – CCA: Treegoats by Ryantron
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.
Relax in four-star luxury in our newest Marrakech hotel
Here at Morocco Gateway, we’re always on the hunt for new hotels where we can offer some great discounts on visiting Morocco.
That’s why we’re pleased to welcome Dar Zemora, a Marrakech riad with a four star rating, to the Morocco Gateway family. Read on to discover this little bit of luxury just a short drive from the heart of the city.
Dar Zemora was bought by its English owners in 2001 and opened its doors as a hotel in 2003. It comprises the large main house and the smaller Pavilliion Suite, which has two bedrooms and a private pool – ideal for a small group or pair of couples.
The decoration of all the bedrooms maintains a traditional Moroccan style, each unique with painted zouak ceilings, moucharabieh woodwork and tadalkt walls. There are also a selection of reception rooms – the Casablanca Room is relaxed and informal, the Omar Room cosy and perfect for couples. There’s also the Fan Room, with traditional floor seating, where guests can order drinks.
For entertainment, there is a library with books and board games such as backgammon and chess available, along with playing cards. Although there are no televisions in the bedrooms to help maintain the riad’s peaceful atmosphere, there are portable DVD players and even iPods available to borrow.
Meals are a particular highlight at Dar Zemora; Ahmina, one of the chefs, hosts taste test nights four times a week, and as Dar Zemora has its own herb and vegetable gardens there are always plenty of fresh ingredients available.
For relaxation, guests can walk through the herb garden to the treatment room, where beauty treatments including manicure and hammam are available. There’s also a croquet lawn and large swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers.
Perfectly distanced from Marrakech to give a real sense of retreat but close enough for an easy visit, Dar Zemora is a haven of relaxation. If you feel like being adventurous, staff can also help arrange trips for such things as camel or horse riding, golf and tennis.
Click here for details of Morocco Gateway’s special deals on Dar Zemora.
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.
Tips on visiting Morocco: Arriving at Marrakech’s Menara airport
Travelling through Marrakech’s newly-built, gleaming white Menara airport last week for the first time since its reopening in 2009, I was struck by how much first impressions for those visiting Morocco have changedrecent years.
The old Menara airport was a sad affair, unapologetically looking back to an age when foreign visitors to Morocco consisted of diplomats, businessmen, bohemians and genuinely intrepid travellers.
The new airport sets out Morocco’s stall to be a modern and stylish tourist destination, and with its lofty arrival hall, elegant white concrete and glass geometric patterned shell, air-conditioning and series of local boutiques it does this all rather well.
Some things, however, don’t change and if you are travelling to stay in Moroccan hotels or riads, a few simple pointers will make your transition through the airport an easier one.
There is still a certain amount of confusion in passing passport control and in buying purchasing money (which still cannot be bought outside of the country due to currency restrictions). So here are some tips to navigating your arrival.
Once you have collected your bags and before queuing for passport control, all EU including UK visitors have to fill in a small white landing cards (called ‘carte debarquement’).
You’ll find these cards on shelves around the structural pillars of the passport control areas. It’s worth knowing that there won’t be any pens in the near vicinity, so be sure to have one to hand.
To complete the card you’ll need to know the name, address and telephone number of the hotel in which you’ll be staying, as well as your passport and flight details. Fill the card in before you begin to queue; thankfully, the queues move quickly.
It’s worth noting that you will need to fill one of these cards in upon departure too – again make sure you have a pen handy on the way home.
Once through passport control, the next thing to do is buy some currency, called dirhams. As you enter the arrival hall, the money desks are on your right-hand side and currently consist of two foreign exchange desks and two ATMs.
Note that the foreign exchange desks only accept cash, not credit cards, so you need to bring either Sterling, Euros etc to use them.
If you want to use the cash machines, it’s a good idea to work out what you need first as you will be asked what you want in dirhams.
When we tested the machines in May 2010, the right hand machine didn’t accept international Switch/Maestro or Visa, but the BMCE bank worked with all cards. The BMCE bank machine also asks which account you want to take money out of – Savings, Checking or Other. In our experience, it made no difference which we selected.
Finally, for the first time visitors to Morocco it’s worth noting there are cash machines throughout the main towns and cities managed by the well-known Moroccan and French banks (Credit Agricole, Credit Lyonnais etc) – so you can take more money out later.
For more information about hotels and riads in Morocco, check out our hotels section.
Picture credits – CCA: Menara Airport by Mark Chapman; Marrakech by night by Geoff The Ref
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.
Welcome to our new blog!
Welcome to Morocco Gateway’s brand new blog. As you’ve landed up here we suspect you may be planning a trip to Morocco and we have to say we thoroughly recommend it! Morocco Gateway is the brainchild of two Morocco fanatics and we hope through this blog to share our enthusiasm for this marvellous country with you. We’re going to explore some of the best Morocco hotels & riads, and share some very special offers. But for now, read on to discover what you can expect from visiting Morocco.
Morocco is an ancient kingdom that’s becoming increasingly popular as a destination for tourists. There’s something for everyone, from seasoned travellers to first-time holiday makers. A land of adventure, excitement, culture, history and extremely friendly people, you’re sure to fall in love with this beautiful country. Staying in one of the small hotel or riads in Morocco will give you an unforgettable cultural experience.
One of the first things you’ll notice about visiting Morocco is how colourful it is. From jewels to magical carpets, there is an amazing array of colour on display wherever you turn.
One of the first things you’ll notice about Morocco is how colourful it is.”
The markets and towns are bustling with people and a range of crafts can be seen (and bought) on the streets or Marrakesh. The area is also steeped in rich history dating back to ancient times. If you are staying in a Marrakesh hotel, a day trip to the Kasbah of Tinerhir would be the perfect escape from city life. Kasbahs are rural fortresses that protected Moroccans from invaders and are breathtaking sites.
You could also escape with a relaxing camel trek, have a fortune teller reveal your future, or learn to bellydance from a professional bellydancer.
Morocco has so much to offer. On this blog we will share some top things to see while staying in a Morocco hotel or riad, give some advice for visiting Morocco and advice for particular travellers (including women, those seeking adventure and vegetarians) and share some of the stories behind these Morocco hotels & riads in our new Hotel of the Week feature.
Let us know what you think of our blog, and share your experience of visiting Morocco by leaving us a comment. If you have any questions about your trip, don’t hesitate to ask.