La Maison Bleue by Joanna Monkhouse

La Maison Bleue was built in 1915 by the El Abbadi family and is now run by the grandchildren of the original owner. The riad has an excellent location on the edge of the medina, easily accessed by car. Despite its proximity to the busy square outside, the riad is calm and tranquil, reached at the end of the long corridor from the front door.

The decoration is a mixture of traditional Fassi and Andalusian styles, with each of the six rooms having its own individual feel. Four-poster beds are swathed in silk or cotton, bathrooms are ensuite, one bath has a view looking over the rooftops. Winding corridors and staircases link the rooms, the library and the salon and lead up to the terrace with its views of the medina.

There are no private terraces at La Maison Bleue, so prevalent in other Moroccan Riads, which gives the riad the atmosphere of a private home rather than a hotel. The main atrium has been covered with a glass roof, creating a welcoming salon, decorated with zellige tiling and carved plaster walls and ceilings, with three smaller rooms curtained off around the sides, where dinner is served in the evenings.

The gastronomic restaurant deserves its reputation where it serves traditional Moroccan cuisine - fresh vegetables, tagine, couscous, pastilla and cinnamon sprinkled oranges. With musicians playing Moroccan music, the rich draped curtains, and the glorious setting make for a theatrical atmosphere. The service is impeccable - attentive and unobtrusive.