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.