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.
