Riad de Tarabel, Marrakech
Distance from airport - 20 minutes from Marrakech airport
Number of rooms - 10
Riad de Tarabel is one of my favourite luxury riads in Marrakech, I last visited in November 2019. Hidden away down an alleyway close to Dar El Bacha (the palace located in the old medina) it’s also in one of the best locations, an area that has been recently renovated. The unassuming wooden door leads you into a place of French enchantment with candelabra, bird cages, soft hues of grey and beautiful paintings dotted around the riad. Once inside you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in a French chateau, a nod to the owner’s heritage.
There are just 10 rooms at Riad de Tarabel but plenty of space to go around. The romantic rooms are large and exquisite and are spread across the ground and the first floor. Linen, voile and drapes rub shoulders with tadelakt and pretty ceramic tiles. All rooms have working fireplaces and some have twin baths with generous amounts of Ortigia bath and body products.
The three courtyards each have little nooks to relax in and the furthest courtyard is home to the beautiful grey slate heated swimming pool (1.4m deep) – designed with privacy in mind as no rooms overlook the pool. The views from the rooftop are pretty spectacular and reach across the Red City to the Atlas Mountains. Take an afternoon tea on the terrace served in the finest French porcelain and soak up the sun and the view from the sun loungers.
Riad de Tarabel is dotted with bamboo, rattan and cedar furniture, traditional tadelakt walls and French antiques leaving you in no doubt that the French owner is both stylish and sophisticated. Her choice of General Manager is spot on too, Laurent is charming, attentive, knowledgeable and softly spoken, and, dare I say it, as beautiful as the interiors.
Breakfast is a Moroccan feast and enjoyed on the roof terrace. My favourite meal of the day breakfast here is fit for a King or Queen. Fresh eggs, Moroccan pancakes, freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh fruit salad complemented with fine linen table cloths and napkins. You really do feel special here. Candlelit supper can (and should be) taken in front of the fire in one of the sitting rooms, international and Moroccan food is prepared to order by the first class chef - it’s helpful if you let the Riad know in the morning if you’re likely to be in for supper - and definitely recommended on your first night.
The pièce de résistance at Riad de Tarabel is the spa. Click a hidden button on a large gilt mirror next to the sitting area in the first courtyard and the glass slides across to reveal an adjoining riad home to The spa, Les Bains de Tarabel. This cocooning oasis takes up two light-filled floors and fragrant aromas fill the air. Book in a hammam to experience the traditional Moroccan ritual followed by a relaxing or invigorating massage. Only the best hand-blended organic products from Moroccan Aromatherapy brand Nectarome are used ensuring the best spa experience in the medina.
Style - Fairytale French Chateau
Why stay here? The best luxury riad in the Marrakech medina.
Rates at Riad de Tarabel start from £200 per night, book here.