Riad Farnatchi, Marrakech, Morocco

Riad Farnatchi luxury riad is located in the oldest area of Marrakech’s medina near the Ben Youssef Medersa and just around the corner from the hip restaurant Foundouk. Two years of total renovation have transformed three riads (traditional Moroccan houses built around an internal courtyard) into a luxury riad of only 5 suites, complimented by various salons, a dining room, a hammam, extensive roof terraces and a green pool.

The facilities

The pool – half sunken and half raised – is a soothing emerald green presence with a fountain at one end, and a powerful underwater jet streams. Alternatively, the white marble hammam is at the disposal of guests every afternoon, where traditional Moroccan spa treatments are used–with argan oil, argile and ghasoul.

A traditional breakfast is served either in your room, on your balcony, by the pool, in the b’hou, or by the majorelle blue walls of the roof terraces. Nearly everything is homemade, from the Berber bread to the orange-cinnamon jam. Riad Farnatchi’s Berber cook can prepare Moroccan cuisine for lunch and dinner, but notice is needed in advance so that the fresh ingredients can be bought at the market. If there is no minibar in your room, you need only call and your drink will arrive with Moroccan pastries or pre-dinner canapés. Mint tea and coffee are also available at the luxury riad throughout the day.

The rooms

The décor is sometimes surprising – rough Moroccan fabrics, well-chosen rugs and local art are somewhat out of kilter with the sleek minimalism of the furnishings. The beds are very comfortable and very, very big. There are no twin beds, making Riad Farnatchi more suited to couples. Every modern amenity – TV, DVD, CD, telephone, internet points, air conditioning and proper central heating are carefully concealed. All except one room has stylish fireplaces, each individually designed. Each suite has a sumptuous ensuite bathroom with deep marble baths and dousing showers with Molton Brown products.