Riyad Al Moussika

Riyad Al Moussika, Situated in the ancient medina of Marrakech, five minutes walk from place Jemâa El Fna, with one of the three entrances approachable very closely by car and with a parking area, the property, once one of the residences of the former Pasha of Marrakech, Thami El Glaoui, has been refurbished to an extremely high standard with rigorous respect for the Andalusian style, whilst paying great attention to modern accessories in order to obtain the highest levels of comfort.

Prices are inclusive of Marrakech airport transfers, large breakfast the tea times with home made Moroccan patisseries, all non alcoholic beverages, the connection to internet ADSL, the access to the hammam and the library, maid services and taxes.

One of the gates of Riyad Al Moussika opens on to a garden with, among other trees, two centenary old cypresses soaring to the sky, a huge bougainvillea climbing across the pergolas, a swimming pool, in the centre or, more precisely, an Andalusia basin thirteen meters long, tiled with a mosaic carpet design. Here water falls from a white Carrara marble fountain to the songs of numerous small birds creating an idyllic scenario, in spite of being in the heart of central medina.

All around the garden there is a cloister in typical fondouks Moroccan style with at the end, a large dining room decorated with a cedar painted ceiling and with white marble tiles interlaced with the mosaic on the floor.

A fireplace gives the winter evenings a cosier atmosphere, as do the impressive modern paintings, carpets, sofas and armchairs. There is a hi-fi system and an art deco Pleyel grand piano perfectly tuned for the pleasure of the guests.

At the side of the garden there is a traditional Moroccan large court, with an amazing wall fountain in traditional zelliges mosaic, the floor tiled in black and white marble, another white Carrara fountain standing on a carpet of Moroccan mosaics is surrounded by four orange trees, it is encircled on one side, by a loggia in front of another dining room with a fire place, a white marble floor, painted cedar ceiling, a selection of modern paintings and a long parade table in cedar with twelve places, on the other side by a Moroccan styled dining room with the typical sofas, cushions, carpets, small oriental tables and chairs.

The Turkish bath or hammam in white marble where on request, a professional masseur can take care of the guests, completes the ground floor.

On the first floor are located the bedrooms and the suites, all with a bath/shower in suite; special care has been taken to select all the materials employed, mattresses are made to measure using only material in naturals fibres, (pure wool, cotton, jute), and with very comfortable orthopaedic springs, the pillows and duvets are in white goose-breast feathers, the covers in pure lambs wool in winter and pure cotton in summer, the sheets in pure satin Egyptian cotton and the towels and the bath cape in ticker cotton sponge.

The different loggias with iroko wood pergolas are equipped with armchairs and tea tables and a large library room with books, the majority of which are on Moroccan art and history at the disposal of the guests, complete the first floor.

All rooms are with air conditioning / heating system, telephone with external line, television with the major satellite channels (BBC, CNN etc.) and DVD is available in the music room.

There is a unique view of the medina and the Atlas Mountains from the two terraces that are sheltered partially with wooden pergolas and surrounded by large terracotta flower vases. Tables, comfortable armchairs with cushions and teak chaises-long allow guests to request breakfast and candle lit dinner, as well as to sunbathe during the day. On one of the terraces there is a pavilion with Moroccan sofas, cushions and lamps should some of the guests prefer a more intimate space.

The guests of Riyad Al Moussika can take lunch and dinner at the Italian and Moroccan haute cuisine riyad's restaurant: Pepe Nero, where the Cordon Bleu Chef, Khalid, has the natural gift to create wonderful dishes and finds the greatest pleasure to satisfy even the most demanding palate.

Location

On foot in 5 minutes
From Place Jemaa El Fna turn right at the Cafe de France in Rue des Banques, continue along El Riad Zitoun Jdid then turn left onto Derb Cherkaoui where, at No. 17, you will find Riyad Al Moussika.

By car from the ring walls of the medina
Enter at the gate Bab Ghmat, continue along Avenue Ahmad Ba as far as the Lycee Mohamed V, turn left into Rue Douaar Graoua and continue to the square of the Palais Dar Moulay Driss where you can park your car. Continue on foot, ~75m in Derb Cherkaoui where, at No. 17, you will find Riyad Al Moussika.