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Magical Marrakech: Riads > Hotels (Except for One)

We know that you plan to leave Marrakech with all the teas, lamps, and magic carpets you can dream of. As you plan your trip, you are imagining hours in the medina negotiating with dealers and Instagramming the entire experience the whole time. These things must be done — but we suggest you spend one day lamping it up in one of Marrakech’s Riad’s . A riad (Arabic: رياض‎) is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard. The Moroccan hospitality scene has seen an influx of luxury raid’s and the best ones offer a dose of tranquility after the action. Whether it’s your first day and you are recovering from jet lag or you are nursing a hangover from a night out at Theatro — these riads and one stellar hotel offer the best experience to stay-in (hopefully with a cuddle buddy — or at least a good book).

1. Fellah Hotel (featured) — Fellah is a Tastemakers dream. The culture of the hotel is the very essence of everything we think modern African luxury should be: sustainable goods, local involvement, contemporary design, culture conscious, and the list goes on. The Fellah restaurant wraps around a large Mediterranean swimming pool where aromatic olive trees are just a stones throw away. The TOUCO café, a smaller eatery also located near the pool, provides a totally authentic local street food experience and is completely run by the residents of the nearby Tassoultante village. When you recover from your food coma, indulge in some self-care at Hammam, Fellah’s in house spa. From a cleansing steam bath to a Wat Po massage the hotels carefully selected staff will make sure your chakras are in order. If all of this food and pampering has you feeling stir crazy you can head Salon Mahler, an in-house venue that has nothing to do with flat irons and hairspray. Keeping in line wight he hotels commitment to presenting guests with culturally and socially aware thought — the salon is positioned as a place for rich and honest exchange of culture and ideas. On any given day you might find a classical piano concert, a DJ playing Moroccan house music, an independent film screenings, a dinner party or a presentation by one of Fellah’s artists-in-residence. All of this without stepping one foot out of the door. Fellah Hotel // Km 13, Route de l’Ourika , Tassoultante , Canal Zarraba // Marrakech // Tel: +212 525 065 000

2. Dar Darma — Dar Darma’s magic lies in it’s quirky yet beautiful small touches. A private residence in the heart of the Marrakech Medina, Dar Darma boldly partners 300-year-old zouak ceilings and faded antique textiles with Versace-esque velvet settles, distressed metallic stripes and leopardskin rugs. An Italian Orientalist’s fantasy holiday home, this Moroccan boutique guesthouse offers its own homely hammam, mountain-view roof terrace, and a very private, ever so Moorish retreat from the nearby souks. Catch a culinary class with in-house chef Maria who will show you how to make a proper pot of mint tea or spend some time in the hamman and be bathed and scrubbed with savon noir, then exfoliated until your skin is softer than rose petals. For a small group we recommend the Orange Suite a split-level residence with a stunning black and white sitting room with stairs leading up to an orange and gold-themed bedroom with ensuite bathroom. Dar Darma // 11/12, Trik Sidi Bohuarba // Marrakesh // Tel: +212 524 37 66 57

3. Riad Farnatchi — Dimly lit lanterns and a heated pool make the Farnatchi one of the best “Low-Key” options for a Riad experience. Its guests only dining room is the perfect backdrop to a romantic evening in. The polished-marble hammam, handmade beds, and glass dining table are the essence of modern style in ancient surroundings. The intimate nature of the residence is complimented by it’s lofty architecture and elaborate Moroccan artwork. The staff here is present without being annoying and the city is always just a step outside it’s wooden doors. Riad Farnatchi // Derb el Farnatchi, Rue Souk el Fassis // Marrakesh// Tel: +212 5243–84910

4. Villa Makassar — An ode to the owner’s love of Art Deco, Villa Makassar takes the Riad experience to another level. The 10 rooms and suites are appointed with artwork, tapestries, and period pieces inspired by artists and influencers from the 1920’s and 1930’s. Located in the Medina near the Bahia Palace, the villa is a perfect jumping off point yet a wonder within itself. Villa Mkassar // Derb Chtouka // Marrakesh // Tel. +212 5243–91926

Travel Africa, Skip Mediocre. Find Your Experience at: TastemakersAfrica.com