"Art Deco influences in this elegant designer riad with retro furniture, carved ceilings, spacious rooms and a sumptuous hammam."
Dar Doukkala is the luxury riad of choice for high-powered financiers and honeymooners on a sojourn to Marrakech thanks to its spacious rooms and decadent interiors. Owner and interior designer Jean-Luc Lemee has mixed painted cedar ceilings and elaborate Moroccan stucco work with art deco furnishings and the occasional Philippe Starck ghost chair.
The facilities
Dar Doukkala's huge courtyard is a forest of foliage dotted with clusters of chairs and tables for alfresco dining or post-marital canoodling, and the adjoining salon offers another romantic nook with intricate woodwork and a copper-domed open fire. There's also a TV room at the luxury hotel for essential football matches and news bulletins, a steam room (as opposed to the traditional Moroccan hammam) and a massage room, but guests tend to head for the expansive terrace with its large pool, sunloungers and views over Marrakech's medina.
The rooms
What sets Dar Doukkala apart from most luxury riads in Marrakech is its six generously-proportioned bedrooms. All have huge baths and charming art deco fireplaces and many have stained-glass windows which flood the rooms with red and yellow light. Families or visitors who insist on privacy should plump for room 6 which has a balcony, private roof terrace, a huge bed and an antique armoire that once belonged to Paul Bowles.
Coming up...
Fans of Monsieur Lemee's quirky style should watch this space as he's busy working on Le Domain Dagal, a sequel to Dar Doukkala. A large mansion in the Moroccan countryside, the luxury riad will have both outdoor and indoor pools and is set to open in 2009.
Star rating:
Address: 83 Arset Aouzal, Bab Doukkala, Marrakech Medina, Morocco
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Address: 83 Arset Aouzal, Bab Doukkala, Marrakech Medina, Morocco
Rates from:
EUR 150
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Who stays here
Honeymooners
Come for
- Art deco-influenced Orientalism
- Sun-drenched pool on first-floor terrace
- Hamman, large roof terraces
Not suitable for
- Party animals and dirty stop-outs - non-guests are not allowed to be smuggled into your room
Children
This hotel is mainly suited for couples, but children are welcome.
Eating in
Dar Doukkala's chefs specialise in local dishes made with seasonal market produce but they're always happy to cook off-menu to suit special dietary requirements for guests.
