As a base for doing multiple side trips or to immerse yourself in Marrakech – or both -- you couldn’t choose a better whole-house vacation rental. Located in the kasbah, a quieter part of the medina, you can walk to all the old city sites: less than 10 minutes to Saadian Tombs and Badi Palace, 15 minutes to Bahia Palace and Dar Si Said, 22 minutes to Jemaa el-Fna and the souks, and a 15-minute cab ride to Jardin Majorelle. A local market is practically out the door and street food, good restaurants, cabs and carriages are nearby.
The front door is nondescript and on one of the myriad small quiet side streets. The door opens almost directly into an open-to-the-sky courtyard – with a retractable roof. The kitchen, one small bedroom with full bath, a half bath, and a Moroccan-style sitting room are on this lowest floor surrounding the courtyard. Two bedrooms, both with full baths, are on the second floor (most couples will choose the more spacious one with Moroccan wooden doors facing the courtyard). On the third level is a half bath, a large sitting room with satellite TV, and access to a private deck. Up another level is the rooftop.
Kids play outside the door but are quiet by 21:00 and the street is too small for traffic. Mosques are nearby so call to prayer is very noticeable, which we enjoyed. The home is clean, especially given that the roof is open to the sky in an air polluted city. Traditional wooden accents, tile, plaster work, and Moroccan furniture adorn the home. Everything is provided and functional as described, including wi-fi, heat, and air-con.
And then there is Hafida. This joy of a traditional Moroccan woman is constantly smiling and freely offering information and conversation. Hafida lives nearby and checks in every morning after her kids are off to school. She cooks breakfast and will do laundry and cook extra meals for a modest cost. (Hafida’s couscous was awesome!) Please give Hafida our warmest regards when you visit: she is a gem.
Rabia and Christophe checked in with us a few times before, during and after our visit. Both Hafida and Rabia were easily reached via WhatsApp.
In short, this place is terrific.
Take note, this home/riad is within the heart of the medina, the old walled city. If you are looking for a westernized hotel experience, choose an accommodation in the newer part of the city. Also, this home is traditionally designed with no windows facing the
