Set in the old city’s winding streets, Riad Ibn Battouta in Fez offers seven suites stylishly designed to mirror the journey of Ibn Battouta, a fourteen-century pilgrim who travelled extensively from Spain to China, from Africa to Russia. Perfect location for a romantic escape we think. Riad Ibn Battouta is offering Morocco Gateway users complimentary dinner for two for stays over Valentines weekend of 3 nights or more. For more details on the riad and to make an enquiry, click here

Riad Ibn Battouta 

Nearby in Fez is the wonderful Riad Mabrouka. Built in 1920, the Arabo-Andalousian house of Riad Mabrouka was renovated and restored in 2000 to create a guesthouse of 6 suites and 2 rooms, complete with a small swimming pool and restaurant. Riad Mabrouka has a special offer valid until the end of February and including Valentine’s weekend of dinner for 2 persons offered for a 3 nights stay minimum. Click here for more details on the riad.

Riad Mabrouka terrace

Or to view all hotels and riads in Fez including Riads Mabrouka and Ibn Battouta, click here.

There are a number of these riads and hotels, which we have listed here for viewing ease.

It is useful to remember that whilst these riads and hotels are owned by English people,  that is not to say that these owners are there on site when guests are there. Often, in our experience, the English owners (like French and other nationality owners) will travel to and from Morocco throughout the year. Do not expect them therefore always to be your hosts.

Often however, the English owners are on site or can be contacted during a stay if needed. They also tend to ensure that their staff speak a high standard of English.

Dar Zemora was purchased in summer of 2001 by its English owners and opened in September 2003 as a guesthouse comprising four suites and three bedrooms. Created as a “country house hotel” Dar Zemora is a convenient retreat, situated in the peaceful Palmeraie area but within a short drive to the city of Marrakech. Read more about Dar Zemora here.

Dar Zemora pool above.

Originally home to a fortune-teller, Riad Zamzam is located in the historical and religious site of Zaouia Sidi Bel Abbess, the shrine of Sir Bel Abbess. It is now owned by Emma and Marcus Joyston-Bechal who moved to Morocco from the UK in order to restore the riad (you read more on their adventures in coming to Morocco at their blog here). Or read more about Riad Zamzam here.

View over Fez from Dar 47

In Fez, Dar 47 was purchased in 2007 by owners Michael and Emma Crane for its panoramic views of the medina. The house offers exclusive rental from two to nine people, with a minimum of a two-day stay. Located near the centre of Fez, guests can expect a short drive to the city centre and places of interest, or slightly longer walks. Read more about Dar 47 here.

A full listing of English-owned and English-speaking riads and hotels in Morocco can be viewed by clicking here.

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Dar 47 terrace above

Chez Rebecca in Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast is a self-catering apartment in Essaouira’s historically listed medina. The house itself is round 150 years old and renovated in 2008 by four English friends and managed by a Moroccan team of staff. Its location is central, with food souks on the doorstep, and the beach only a ten minute walk away. Chez Rebecca includes a fully-equipped kitchen, spacious living room and dining area. Read more about Chez Rebecca here.

Chez Rebecca terrace above

You may also want to look at the private riad and house options across Morocco here which do provide all meal catering but without the need to share with other guests.

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Most riads and hotels stay open for the Christmas and New Year season, and some of these have interesting special offers for their remaining rooms – you can read more about there in our recent article on special offers here. Remember that most of these special offers have been negotiated by Morocco Gateway and are therefore only available through ourselves.

For those people who want to get away but for peace and quiet, there are a number of riads and hotels on the outskirts of Marrakesh such as La Palmeraie area, which are always popular over the Festive season. We have listed these in a selection called “Marrakesh Borders” here.

Almost of interest may be our list of clubs and restaurants in Marrakesh here.

For family trips in Marrakesh and across Morocco, have a look at our selection of family-friendly riads and hotels here, and for multi-family parties, you may also want to look at a choice of riads and hotels that cater for large parties by clicking here.

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Image by L’Aubergine Grillée

For 2-3 people:

• 2 sliced onions
• 2 heads of garlic
• 1 potato, peeled and cut into circles
• 2 carrots, peeled and cut into circles
• 1 cup of peas
• 2 tomatoes, cut into circles
• 2 hot chili peppers diced
• ½ cup of chopped cilantro
• ½ cup of chopped fresh parsley
• salt
• pepper
• powdered ginger or fresh ginger
• cumin
• paprika
• olive oil

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a big pot, or tagine. Add the onions. Cook for a few minutes, until the onion starts to change color. Add garlic, spices, potatoes, carrots, peas, and chili peppers. Add one cup of water to the pot. Cook for 10 minutes on a low flame. Add the tomatoes, parsley, and cilantro. Cook for 10 more minutes and serve!

This dish can also be cooked in the oven: Start the onions on the stove, as above. After they finish cooking, add all the ingredients to the pot and put in the oven. Cook for 30 minutes on 180-200 ° C.

For people who want to take an interest in Moroccan food further, there are a number of riads and hotels running cookery courses for guests at resaonable prices. You can view these riads and hotels by clicking here.

Remember to ask about the cookery courses in any enquiry that you submit to riads and hotels via Morocco Gateway.

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The Erg Chebbi is roughly 20 km long and 5 km wide and belongs to the Sahara desert.

Image by atsjebosma

An erg is a large, relatively flat area of desert covered with windswept sand with very little or no vegetation. The term takes its name from the Arabic word erg, meaning “dune field”. An Erg is defined to be a desert area that contains more than 125 square kilometres wind-blown sand and where sand covers more than 20% of the surface. The largest hot desert in the world is the Sahara (9,000,000 km²). It contains several ergs such as Erg Chebbi.

Activities that people are drawn to in Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes include:

• Sunset or Sunrise Camel Trekking
• Sand Board
• Quad Adventure
• Desert Hiking
• Night Camp Oasis inside the Dunes
• 4X4 Around the Dunes Tour
• Local Berber Culture experiences such as live desert village music

 All of the hotels and kasbahs shown here will arrange the full range of these activities as well as offering good value accommodation. These are Auberge Derkaoua, also known as Desert Inn, in Erfoud,  Kasbah Ennasra in Rissini, and Ksar Jenna  and Dar Azawad in Zagora. We have negotiatied unique special offers with many of these for Morocco Gayeway users – so look out for these!

All these hotels are within a short car journey of the Erg Chebbi and benefit from being away from Merzouga, which is more of a functional gateway town than a destination to stay in.

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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.

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: 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.

Hotel: Lalla Mira

Region: Essaouira

Address: 14 rue d’Algérie, 44000 Essaouira Medina

Rating: **

Although Lalla Mira is a new hotel by Essaouira’s standards, being built in 2002, it incorporates the oldest bath house in the city.

Sustainable development is the focus of this riad,  which serves organic local produce in its restaurant and dresses its beds in organic bed linen. The underfloor heating inside the hotel comes from solar power and much of the fruit and vegetables served are grown by the hotel itself.

The hotel’s owners want their guests to have an authentic Moroccan experience, without missing out on any comfort.

There are 13 rooms in total, from single rooms to large suites. meaning that there’s something to suit all budgets. Because of the location on the Atlantic coast, the rooms don’t have air conditioning, as the natural cool air from the sea keeps them at an ambient temperature.

There is a wide range of vegetarian cuisine available in the restaurant, and for this reason it is popular with vegetarian travellers. For those who enjoy seafood, fish served in the restaurant is freshly caught from the Atlantic. There are also several quality restaurants and cafes on the nearby harbour that are well worth a visit.

The town centre location of Lalla Mira makes it ideal for older travellers and those not keen to do too much walking. It’s only a short trip to the city walls and the Blue Flag certified beach.

Lalla Mira’s staff can also arrange trips to Marrakesh, the Atlas mountains and the desert. For something a little different, the hotel manager can even arrange a marriage service for guests, so long as they inform the hotel at least a month in advance.