44 BOUTIQUE & BEAUTIFUL
Only five minutes from the Koutoubia
Mosque and at the heart of the Medina, Riad El Fenn is more a stately home than a hotel, with 21 uniquely-designed suites, an intimate spa, a cinema and an organic garden. Only steps from the Bab El Ksour gate and 20 minutes from the airport, Riad El Fenn was built like a fortress, with thick walls protecting an urban oasis within. For such an intimate property, there are plenty of places to hide away with a good book, including lush gardens and courtyards, three swimming pools, an extensive terrace and even a snug salon with its own fireplace and moucharabia-styled windows looking out to the Atlas Mountains. Book ahead for
Room 20( pictured), one of five Imperial Suites. Situated on a colonnade overlooking the orange trees of the courtyard below, this decadent space features a gold-leaf fireplace for Marrakech’ s nippy winter evenings, as well as a spacious bathroom with steam shower and tadelakt bath. Take time out to examine the hotel’ s extensive art collection.
Curated by Vanessa Branson, it features installations, paintings and sculptures by both local and international artists. www. riadelfenn. com
Operated as a chic B & B, Riad Chi Chi is about as hidden away as you could want in this city of narrow alleyways and private courtyards. Nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac in the heart of Marrakech’ s souk district, and a short walk from the main square of Djemaa el Fna, Chi Chi boasts only five guest rooms and is ideal for families looking to take over the hotel as their own during a visit to the city. Rooms are dressed in calming cream tones with accents of bright colours and timber notes; our vote is Ivory, a spacious double, for ultimate privacy. Take strong Moroccan coffee each morning in the courtyard’ s traditional b’ hou sitting alcove, or sundowners on the canopied terrace, with its views across the rooftops of Marrakech to the mountains. Owners Beryl and Yvonne can organise day trips to the alps or guided tours through the markets to secure the best deals, and after a long day’ s haggling, star-gaze under the bathroom’ s domed ceiling with its stained glass constellations. www. riadchichi. com www. jetsetter. hk