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Updated 6 January 2021
Recently voted number 1 in Tripadvisor's Traveler's Choice Awards for 2015, Marrakech is definitely having a moment. The city's Jemaa el-Fnaa square is reportedly one of the most intense and fascinating experiences in Morocco, particularly at dusk when it is a whirl of fortune tellers, snake charmers, food stalls, musicians and storytellers. We asked Carol Prior, who lived in Marrakech for 10 years and runs boutique travel business By Prior Arrangement, to share some of her experiences and favourite boutique hotels...
"Staying in charming large or small riads is what it is all about," says Carol. A riad refers to a traditional Moroccan house, built surrounding a central courtyard which is usually open to the elements and includes a cooling water feature. Increasingly, traditional riads are being converted to boutique hotels ranging from the ultra luxurious to the rustic and homely.
At Riad Daria, pictured above, you're tucked away in the oldest part of the city, but only a 15 minute walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa. This is a key consideration according to Carol, along with the possibility of car access. "The anticipation of following your guide into the souks to find your riad, down labyrinths of alleys with high walls and tiny doors is all part of the experience," she says.
La Sultana is slightly bigger - in fact a collection of 5 riads which includes 28 rooms and suites. It is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World chain with its attendant luxuries, including an in-house hammam for the traditional Morrocan bathing experience.
"Once the door to your riad opens, you step into a glorious peaceful courtyard, sometimes with large trees and a fountain, with all the beautifully carved wooden doors of the rooms opening onto the courtyard, or onto a balcony overlooking the courtyard below," says Carol. "It is hard to believe that just outside the door is the hustle and bustle and noise of the souks."
The Palais Khum is an elegant reinvention of a traditional fondouk, located in a part of the medina that's famous for its antiques and jewellery.
Its style fuses traditional Morocco - with hand-crafted lighting, carpets and the arches and niches that are part of the vernacular style - with modern touches including statement art, iron-framed doors and rich colour.
After the peace and quiet of an inward-looking riad, travellers will be ready to face the souks and the famous square. "My favourite time of day when I lived in Marrakech was the morning, "says Carol. "I would sit on my balcony and look towards the snowed capped High Atlas Mountains against the blue sky and the sand red colour of the buildings of Marrakech."
Inspired? Join writer Lee Tulloch and photographer Tony Amos on a small group tour of magical Morocco in March 2016, staying in gorgeous riads and villas, discovering the magnificent cities and history of this exotic kingdom and dining and shopping like an insider.
Enquiries and bookings via the By Prior Arrangement website, or call Carol Prior on 0415 637 985.
Explore 3 boutique hotels in Marrakech
Recently voted number 1 in Tripadvisor's Traveler's Choice Awards for 2015, Marrakech is definitely having a moment. The city's Jemaa el-Fnaa square is reportedly one of the most intense and fascinating experiences in Morocco, particularly at dusk when it is a whirl of fortune tellers, snake charmers, food stalls, musicians and storytellers. We asked Carol Prior, who lived in Marrakech for 10 years and runs boutique travel business By Prior Arrangement, to share some of her experiences and favourite boutique hotels...
Riad Daria, Marrakech
"Staying in charming large or small riads is what it is all about," says Carol. A riad refers to a traditional Moroccan house, built surrounding a central courtyard which is usually open to the elements and includes a cooling water feature. Increasingly, traditional riads are being converted to boutique hotels ranging from the ultra luxurious to the rustic and homely.
Riad Daria, Marrakech
At Riad Daria, pictured above, you're tucked away in the oldest part of the city, but only a 15 minute walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa. This is a key consideration according to Carol, along with the possibility of car access. "The anticipation of following your guide into the souks to find your riad, down labyrinths of alleys with high walls and tiny doors is all part of the experience," she says.
La Sultana, Marrakech
La Sultana is slightly bigger - in fact a collection of 5 riads which includes 28 rooms and suites. It is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World chain with its attendant luxuries, including an in-house hammam for the traditional Morrocan bathing experience.
La Sultana, Marrakech
"Once the door to your riad opens, you step into a glorious peaceful courtyard, sometimes with large trees and a fountain, with all the beautifully carved wooden doors of the rooms opening onto the courtyard, or onto a balcony overlooking the courtyard below," says Carol. "It is hard to believe that just outside the door is the hustle and bustle and noise of the souks."
The Palais Khum is an elegant reinvention of a traditional fondouk, located in a part of the medina that's famous for its antiques and jewellery.
Its style fuses traditional Morocco - with hand-crafted lighting, carpets and the arches and niches that are part of the vernacular style - with modern touches including statement art, iron-framed doors and rich colour.
After the peace and quiet of an inward-looking riad, travellers will be ready to face the souks and the famous square. "My favourite time of day when I lived in Marrakech was the morning, "says Carol. "I would sit on my balcony and look towards the snowed capped High Atlas Mountains against the blue sky and the sand red colour of the buildings of Marrakech."
Inspired? Join writer Lee Tulloch and photographer Tony Amos on a small group tour of magical Morocco in March 2016, staying in gorgeous riads and villas, discovering the magnificent cities and history of this exotic kingdom and dining and shopping like an insider.
Enquiries and bookings via the By Prior Arrangement website, or call Carol Prior on 0415 637 985.
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