Dar Les Cigognes, Marrakech, Morocco

In the heart of the busiest tourist area of Marrakech, this luxurious riad is within easy walking distance to the Badi Palace and the Djema el Fna Square (a UNESCO world heritage site). Originally the home of a wealthy merchant, with parts dating back to the 17th-century, it's created from two houses, separated by a covered bridge and as such benefits from a spacious, airy interior.

The facilities

The entrance to this luxury riad is down a narrow walkway, just off the busy medina. Stark windowless walls (typical of a riad) hide a gracious interior that is both private and quiet. Arrivals are taken on a complete tour of the building (after the proverbial mint tea offering) and even introduced to the chef who provides cooking lessons on request.

Designed with the old trade routes in the Sahara in mind, the living room boasts an African motif. Dominated by a massive fireplace, the room offers comfortable couches, chairs and lounging pillows. Another fireplace is in the library, where volumes in English, French and Arabic contend for space on the packed shelves.

Dining in Les Cigognes is a memorable experience, a feast for the senses. The vaulted ceiling, ornately tiled walls and opposing arches lend an opulent feel to the dining area. Cuisine is a fusion of Moroccan and Mediterranean, offering a variety of tastes and textures. Freshly baked breads and pastries complement fresh vegetables and meats slow-cooked in clay ovens and covered with exotic spices and sauces. A traditional Moroccan breakfast is included in the room rate. Guests can dine in one of the courtyards or on the roof terraces, which offer spectacular views of the nearby Koutoubia minaret and the medina, and the Atlas Mountains in the distance.

The rooms

Each guest room in the luxury riad is uniquely decorated. The Zouak Room, named after an ancient painting style found in most ancient palaces of the kingdom, features this type of artwork on ceiling, closet doors, bed frame, and bedside tables. The walls of the bedroom and bath are made of tadelakt, a plaster technique that creates a look similar to marble. The Sahara Room is a reflection of a desert landscape at night. Its double bed with tent-like drapes is surrounded by a painted landscape on the walls and a midnight-painted ceiling with star motif. Some rooms have no outside windows meaning the courtyard views provide little privacy from passersby.

The deluxe Silver Room at Dar Les Cigognes is capped by a carved plaster ceiling accenting silver-coloured walls, and boasts a separate sitting area with views of the palace ramparts. The Casablanca Room, in art-deco style, is reminiscent of Rick's Cafe American from the classic film and boasts a glorious black and white hand-cut tile fireplace. In the Harem Room, red velvet accents the gold four-poster bed and the fireplace is decorated with arabesques.

The Orientalist Suite shows a king bed in an alcove under a vaulted ceiling. Two large windows provide a view of the interior courtyard and the tiled fountain. A separate sitting room with arm chairs, table and fireplace adjoins a dressing area. The bath has vaulted ceilings, two skylights, and separate tub and shower. A Mauritanian leather and straw carpet and grandiose safari tapestry are worthy of a peek at the Safari room.

Guests will find no locks on the doors of this luxury riad, but a simple system of red and green tassels to indicate if housekeeping can pay a visit (from the inside though, rooms can be locked). Fresh and dried fruit greet newcomers, bottled water is readily in place, and fresh roses are found at every turn.