Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
Riad Farnatchi
Centre
Riad El Fenn
Right
La Maison Arabe
Luxury Riads and Hotels
!
Riad El Fenn
*
Red House
holds its own against all
latecomers. It has a
genteel air, with a
colonial bar and a garden
pool
(see p46)
.
%
Villa des
Owned by Vanessa
Branson, the lesser
known of the Branson
siblings, this is a definite
A-list riad comprising 23
fashion-magazine-stylish
rooms sharing four court-
yards, a
hammam
,
library, bar and rest-
aurant, two pools and a
screening room.
d
Map
J3 • Derb Moulay Abdallah
Ben Hezzian, Medina
• 0524 44 12 10 • www.
riadelfenn.com
•
A purpose-built
boutique hotel in a
traditional style just
outside the medina walls.
Its rooms are five-star
standard with facilities
such as minibars and
internet access but the
place feels like a private
villa, complete with
gardens and a pool.
d
Map G3 • Ave El Yarm-
ouk, Hivernage • 0524 43
70 40 • www.theredhouse-
marrakech.com •
Orangers
A grand residence that
once belonged to a
judge, this boutique hotel
has 16 rooms ranged
around two beautiful
courtyards. The roof
terrace has unrivalled
views of the Koutoubia.
d
Map J5 • 6 rue Sidi
Mimoun, Medina • 0524 38
46 38 • www.villadesorang
ers.com
•
@
Mamounia
(
Kssour Agafay
As much a landmark
as the Koutoubia Mosque
and Jemaa El Fna, the
Mamounia has been host-
ing movie stars, heads of
state and royalty since
1923. And it's looking
particularly splendid since
its refurbishment
(see
pp28-9)
.
d
Map H5 • Ave
Bab Jedid, Medina • 0524
38 86 00 • www.mamounia.
com
•
£
Riad Farnatchi
Kssour Agafay is
North Africa's first private
members' club. Built in
the late 15th century, it
is a UNESCO World
Heritage building. It has
been magnificently
restored, with six stunn-
ing suites on the upper
levels usually available to
non-members. d
Map J3
• 52 Sabet Graoua Ksour,
Medina • 0524 36 86 00
• www.kssouragafay.com
•
)
Dar Rhizlane
^
Riad Enija
Three adjoined
houses and a wild garden
courtyard make up this
striking riad. Rooms
verge on the fantastical,
with furniture fashioned
by international artists.
Do you photograph or
sleep in the beds?
d
Map K2 • 9 derb
Mesfioui, Medina • 0524 44
09 26 • www.riadenija.com
•
&
La Sultana
Buried deep in the
medina, Farnatchi is
sheer luxury. It's an all
suite hotel with Philippe
Starck fittings and
custom-made furniture. It
also boasts possibly the
best informed, most
capable manageress in
town. d
Map K2 • 2 derb
Farnatchi, Medina • 0524
38 49 10 • www.
riadfarnatchi.com
•
$
La Maison Arabe
A five-star
accommodation with
personality, this country
mansion-styled residence
by star architect Charles
Boccara is a short taxi
ride from the medina.
Rooms are luxurious -
some even have their
own walled gardens. The
ultimate private retreat in
the heart of the city.
d
Map C6 • Rue Jnane El
Harti, Hivernage • 0524 42
13 03 • www.dar-rhizlane.
com
•
This luxury hotel is
discreetly hidden off a
court beside the Saadian
Tombs. The interiors, a
riot of Asian and African
styles, are a complete
contrast. It's one of the
few hotels in the medina
with a decent-sized pool
(plus spa). d
Map K6
• 403 rue de la Kasbah,
Medina • 0524 38 80 08
• www.lasultanamarrakech.
com •
The first boutique
hotel in Marrakech still
11 6
For more on Charles Boccara,
see p38.
