Morocco hotels & riads
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hotel of the week: Riad Bahia
Travelling as a family or group of friends, there’s nothing nicer than having a hotel or riad that’s exclusive to your party for the duration of your stay. If you are visiting Morocco as part of a group, chances are you’ll be searching for Moroccan riads and hotels of a smaller, more intimate nature. One that we can highly recommend is Riad Bahia, situated in Meknes.
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 of the Week: Lalla Mira
If you’re a bit of an eco warrior, or even just an eco enthusiast, finding an exotic holiday destination that meets your green credentials can sometimes be a bit of challenge. That’s why, for this week’s Moroccan riad of the week we look at Morocco’s first ‘Bio hotel’ – an Essaouria haven for green travellers.
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.
Hotel of the week: Dar Warda
The name Dar Warda translates as “Home of the Rose” and we’ve chosen it as this week’s Hotel of the Week because we think it’s “blooming” marvellous.
This riad in Marrakesh is a real hidden gem, a mere 10 minute walk from Marrakesh’s main square yet hidden away from the hustle and bustle down a quiet side street. Step inside with us…
Dar Warda was originally a 15th Century private house. It has now been transformed into an authentic Moroccan riad with just five rooms, meaning that large families or groups travelling together have the option of booking the house exclusively.
Each of the five rooms are uniquely decorated; hand-made Berber tapestries and oriental paintings bedeck the wall and mix perfectly with contemporary furniture.
You’ll sleep comfortably and soundly in luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets in rooms that are protected from the noise of passing traffic.
In the Dune suite, there is a private sitting room, perfect for couples seeking somewhere to relax together. There are also several communal areas for when you’re feeling more sociable, including the sundrenched terrace on which breakfast is served, a roof terrace and courtyard.
You’ll sleep comfortably in luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets in rooms that are protected from the noise of passing traffic”
Entertainment is not hard to come by in this riad; there’s a swimming pool and sunbathing terrace, plus a reading lounge and television room including wi-fi access. Excursions can also be arranged to the Atlas mountains, local golf courses and other sporting activities, guided tours of Marrakesh’s gardens and city monuments, and local spas.
The food is delicious and authentic Moroccan cuisine with lots of fresh vegetables, spices, fruit and nuts. There are plenty of options for vegetarians and other special dietary needs, served in the evenings in the candlelit restaurant or on the terrace. You simply have to sample the lemon confit – deliciously zesty dessert.
During the daytime refreshments including tea, coffee and juice are served in Dar Warda’s tea room.
Morocco Gateway can offer special rates for you stay at Dar Warda – just click to make an enquiry or booking.
For other hotels in Marrakech, follow this link.
Hotel of the Week: Riad Dar Ilham
Wouldn’t it be lovely to get away from the stresses and strains of working life and enjoy some proper relaxation? We certainly think so and the idea of being pampered in a luxurious Moroccan riad sounds like our idea of perfection. That’s why, for this week’s hotel of the week, we’ve chosen Riad Dar Ilham, a modern riad in Marrakech.
Hotel: Riad Dar Ilham
Region: Marrakech and region
Address: Oulad Hassoun douar Jallal Route de Fés, 40 000 Marrakech
Rating: ***
Riad Dar Ilham sits on the Marrakech to Fes road, meaning that it’s in a great location for transport links. However, once you’re in the riad you may not want to leave – the key here is relaxation and the sumptuous surroundings mean you cannot fail to enjoy some chill-out time.
Use of the hammam is included in the price of a regular stay, and on request you can arrange a four-day pampering programme – perfect to de-stress, detox and relax. Nawal, the riad’s resident beautician, will take expert care of you.
On the first day, you’ll enjoy a body scrub and full 30 minute relaxation massage. The second day includes a seaweed body wrap, a well recognised way of removing toxins from your system and also good for toning the skin. Toning work continues with a toning massage – ideal for tired muscles.
To revive the mind as well as the body, essential oils are the order of the day, along with a facial”
Day three and you should be feeling pretty relaxed and refreshed. To revive the mind as well as the body, essential oils are the order of the day, along with a facial to give you a truly radiant complexion. On day four, you can enjoy a henna envelopment and final relaxing massage – by now we guarantee your cares will have faded away.
All guests also have use of the outdoor Jacuzzi, located in an intimate corner of the sumptuous garden, which is filled with roses, and an oval-shaped swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers. There is a larger swimming pool at the nearby kasbah, which guests can use most of the time, although it is advisable to check first as the kasbah can sometimes be exclusively booked up.
On the rare occasions when weather is bad, or if you just want to get out of the sun for a few hours, there is an indoor lounge with an open fireplace, large television and good selection of board games.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, there are a good range of outdoor activities within easy reach of Dar Ilham. The hotel can arrange horse riding trips along the palm grove or SUV, buggy and quad bike rides around the Moroccan countryside. For a truly unique view of Marrakech and surrounding mountains, why not take to a hot air balloon ride? Balloon trips take off just 15km from the riad and can be booked through the hotel staff.
From paragliding to golf, there are a large range of sporting options available to you, while if you’re travelling with a sweetheart you can enjoy a night under the Moroccan stars in a bivouac.
If you’re travelling with a sweetheart, you can enjoy a night under the Moroccan stars in a bivouac”
Food lovers will be spoiled at Dar Ilham, where the menu is extensive and exquisite. The head waiter speaks English fairly well although guests may find difficulty in communicating with other staff. Guests will have the choice of soups, meat-based tagines, couscous dishes and seafood, while vegetarians can enjoy salads and vegetable tagines, all made from ingredients from the local market. Meals are usually served in the flowered courtyard or rose garden.
Wherever you are in the riad, you’ll feel close to nature. Five friendly tortoises share the garden space with guests and snake charmers regularly visit to practise their art.
Morocco Gateway can offer special deals on your stay at Dar Ilham and other riads in Marrakech.
To book your stay at Dar Ilham, click this link.
Hotel of the Week – Dar Baraka
Morocco is a country steeped in romance and art. It’s the ideal place to get away if you’re seeking artistic inspiration, so this week we turn the focus on an intimate little riad in Rabat that’s perfect for anyone seeking their muse.
Hotel: Dar Baraka
Region: Rabat
Address: 26 rue de la Mosquée, Kasbah des Oudayas, 10000 Rabat
Rating: **
Dar Baraka is a truly intimate Moroccan riad situated on the Atlantic seaboard coast. Small and simple, this quaint little riad is perched atop a rocky spur, overhanging the naturally cooling estuary of the Bou Regreg.
The building was originally constructed by French owners in the 1920s. Although the riad is small, it is elegant, with only two bedrooms – one twin, one double – for a real sense of intimacy. This makes it the perfect retreat for couples seeking to get away from the rat race, or for artists and other creative types travelling together in search of inspiration.
Dar Baraka is now owned by Pauline, who also runs an art gallery in Rabat, and you can really see her influences throughout the little riad.
The decor will appeal to those of an artistic bent and people who enjoy antiquing”
The decor of the riad will appeal to those of an artistic bent and people who enjoy antiquing. Both bedrooms are light and breezy and are decorated with antique furniture and original art work. They are both en suite and in the double room you’ll find the original bath with 1950s fittings and ivory tiling, while the twin room benefits from a traditional zellij (mosaic) and Italian marble.
As for the location itsellf, Kasbah des Oudayas was founded in the 12th century and by the 18th century had become a nest of pirates. Remnants of this past can be found in Dar Baraka itself, most notably in the vaulted cellar that dates from this time and is littered with canon balls.
The pirate past is long gone, however, and Dar Baraka is now a place of meditation and relaxation. There are two separate terraces and garden areas surrounded by fig trees and other sumptuous vegetation. That’s not to say the riad is without mod cons, however. There is a TV lounge with DVD player and wireless internet is available throughout the building.
The pirate past is long gone, and Dar Baraka is now a place of meditation and relaxation”
Food lovers will be well catered for. Breakfast is a banquet, with many kinds of juice, breads, pancakes, eggs, yoghurts and cheeses. Lunch and dinner are also available on request with plenty of delicious salads, chicken and fish. Vegetarian options are also available.
Dar Baraka is a 30 minute drive from Rabat-Sale airport and 1.5 hours from Casablanca. What’s more, it’s just five minutes from the beach.
Morocco Gateway can offer special deals on your stay at Dar Baraka and other Moroccan hotels and riads. To book your stay at Dar Baraka, click this link.