Review of Riad Tarabel, by Jeroen Bergmans

Riad Talabel is a whimsical new addition to Marrakech's range of luxury riads and would make a perfect pad for media junkies with a taste for Morocco's French colonial past. The luxury riad takes its name from the town of Tarabel near Toulouse where the French owner was born and from where he sourced the large antique paintings that grace the riad's salons.

A palette of soft grey and beige, antique bird cages, stuffed parrots and Asian paper lanterns add to the eclectic, eccentric décor. But guests will never forget they're in Marrakech as on arrival they are furnished with a traditional Moroccan djelaba (a pointy-hooded robe) and a pair of babouche (pointy slippers) to flop about in.

The facilities

The chef makes a fantastic breakfast of home-made bread and jams and he is also available 24 hours a day to whip up a traditional Moroccan tagine, excellent pizza or pasta dishes. The staff are always contactable to give directions in Marrakech's maze-like souks, make restaurant reservations or advise on the price of a carpet as guests are given a local mobile phone.

A projector has been rigged up to screen films on the huge white wall of the courtyard. The hammam is large compared to those found in the typical Marrakech luxury riad and it has a separate massage room. A large pool is planned for the second phase when Riad Tarabel is set to double in size and up its rooms from three to seven.

The rooms

Riad Talabar has 3 rooms, all painted in the same soft greys and beiges of the public areas. The enormous suite is a perfect pad for guests who like gadgetry, as it has a cavernous bathroom with double-shower and a separate living room with huge plasma TV, complete with Playstation. This charming luxury riad is soon set to double in size, bulking its accommodation up to seven rooms.