Riyad El Cadi - a maze-like collection of rooms, winding staircases and twisting corridors around five courtyards in seven interconnected houses located at the end of three narrow alleys - is a short walk from Djmaa el Fna. The late owner of this luxury hotel, former German Ambassador to Morocco, was an important collector of early Berber textiles, Islamic and Byzantine art, classical Asian furniture and rare Moroccan artifacts. His museum quality pieces are displayed in every room, to great effect against a backdrop of fresh, white walls. Riyad El Cadi is a good place to see unadorned Moroccan architecture in its pure forms.

The facilities

The courtyards at this luxury hotel provide various areas in which to relax under palms and citrus trees. One of them contains a small solar heated pool/Jacuzzi. Three salons with a TV and Hi-Fi, a well-stocked library, a red walled hammam (steam bath) and extensive roof terraces with deckchairs and tents ensure that there is always somewhere quiet to be found, even when, as is often the case, the house is fully occupied.

The rooms

One of the houses at this luxury hotel, La Maison Bleue, has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a small kitchen making it ideal for families. The four ground floor rooms have ensuite showers and the eight first floor rooms have bathrooms ensuite. Each room or suite is decorated using architectural details or items from the collection as a centre piece, such as an original painted ceiling, Ottoman embroideries, a Roman capitol or a Chinese chest. Riyad El Cadi has a calm and refined ambience - a combination of the elegance of the setting and the considerate service provided by its welcoming staff.