“A beautiful boutique riad that has aced the combination of traditional beauty & laid-back contemporary luxury. Expect mosaics, exquisitely carved woodwork & grand soaring ceilings in art-filled rooms. Rooftop restaurant serves particularly good Moroccan fare. Chic centrally-located pied-a-terre.”
“A beautiful boutique riad that has aced the combination of traditional beauty & laid-back contemporary luxury. Expect mosaics, exquisitely carved woodwork & grand soaring ceilings in art-filled rooms. Rooftop restaurant serves particularly good Moroccan fare. Chic centrally-located pied-a-terre.”
Hotel Review
Located down a myriad of winding streets in the heart of the medina, this beautifully converted yet low-key riad unveils pleasant surprise after suprise.
The entrance opens onto a serene traditional courtyard featuring impressive works of Moroccan craftmanship including statement Moucharabieh woodwork & ornate fluted pillars. Meandering staircases lead to lofty rooms & exotic suites that look out onto the inner chamber; authentic wooden shutters allow cooling breezes & atmospheric views in, while maintaining a romantic feel & plenty of privacy.
Decor features an eclectic blend of artwork from the continent, local pieces & tasteful European touches; think tribal art, intricate wood carvings & Victorian tubs alongside moody colour palettes.
The rooftop is the ultimate Marrakech fantasy; surrounded by terracotta walls & iconic blue skies, the sprawling multi-layered space boasts exotic plants, shady parasols & private sun-lit corners for winter sun-bathing. If you overheat there's a small pool or shaded dining area. A short climb takes you up to a higher terrace which offers panoramic views well beyond the city's limits.
Quiet, tranquil & grown-up, this is the place for boutique breaks à deux with a blend of exploring - sites, restaurants & shops are all easy walking distance - and plenty of downtime. The friendly owners, long-term Marrakech residents, are very present & offer a treaure-trove of local tips.
Written by Ellie Boulstridge
Recommended For
- Romantic Break
- Tucked away within the riad for greater privacy, the Walata suite boasts a roaring fireplace & romantic four-poster bed
- Local exploring
- Well-located between the Djemaa el Fna and the Kasbah, a short walk from Bahia Palace, Badi Palace & the Saadian Tombs
- Short break
- Fab location makes this a perfect choice for a short sunshine-filled weekend; walk to almost everything in Marrakech
- City Style
- Achieves the perfect balance of sense of place, traditional architecture & contemporary comforts
- Great walks
- Leave Marrakech on a day trip to Ourika Valley, a lush oasis of vegetation in the foothills of the magnificent Atlas Mountains
- Sights nearby
- Go on a morning tour of Marrakech which includes the sweet gardens of Bahia Palace, Koutoubia Tower and the Saadian Tombs
- Other Activities
- Tours of the city's many lovely botanical gardens - including Marjorelles - can be arranged for guests
- Cycling
- Bicycles can be hired for guests who wish to explore the area & cycling tours can be arranged
- Local markets
- There is an abundance of buzzing souks & markets to explore just minutes from the property
- Learning
- Museums
- Groups
- Wildlife Area
- Close to nightlife
- Cooking classes
- Designer
- In the dining room an installation of 440 hand-blown droplets falls from the sky like a column of crystal rain, a magical effect
- Whirlpool Bathtub
- Luxurious suite bathrooms decked out in marble, polished granite & Moroccan tadelakt boast deep soaking tubs big enough for two
- Sit-out Terrace
- Rooms open-out onto a traditional inner courtyard complete with decorative woodwork, atmospheric water feature & lush palms
- Historic
- Built in the 19th century as the palace of the Khaloufi family. A loving three year restoration has restored it to glory
- Restaurant
- Delicious home-cooked traditional Moroccan dinners & generous breakfasts are served al fresco on the rooftop
- Rooms with balcony/terrace
- Sidi Ifni has its own private terrace facing the courtyard; Azrou comes with a garden-facing veranda
- Organic food
- Fruit used in the restaurant is grown in the owner's gardens, a short drive outside the city
- Artworks
- The owner's varied collection of African and Moroccan art & photography adorns the walls
- Owner managed
- The inspiring Dutch owners run an NGO assisting Moroccan girls with higher education
- Wedding license
- Full of character
- Lively area
- Opulent
- Townhouse
- Boutique
- Chic
- Child friendly
- Traditional
- Charming
- Luxury
- Four poster beds
- Intimate
- Romantic
- Downtown
- Family Suites
Facilities
- Views
- Climb the viewing tower for incredible vistas over the entire city & snow-capped Atlas Mountain beyond
- Roof terrace
- Lush oasis in the heart of the medina with sun loungers, dipping pool, covered terrace & dining area
- Whirlpool Bathtub
- Luxurious suite bathrooms decked out in marble, polished granite & Moroccan tadelakt boast deep soaking tubs big enough for two
- Sit-out Terrace
- Rooms open-out onto a traditional inner courtyard complete with decorative woodwork, atmospheric water feature & lush palms
- Restaurant
- Delicious home-cooked traditional Moroccan dinners & generous breakfasts are served al fresco on the rooftop
- Rooms with balcony/terrace
- Sidi Ifni has its own private terrace facing the courtyard; Azrou comes with a garden-facing veranda
- Fireplace
- Certain rooms have open wood-burning fireplaces for cosy winter evenings
- Swimming Pool
- Refresh yourself with a dip in the rooftop's small but stylish pool
- Massage
- Massage, body and beauty treatments available
- Not suitable for disabled guests
- Outdoor dining
- Car not required
- Bath robes
- Satellite / Cable TV
- Garden
- Babysitting
- Bar
- Wifi
- Sitting Room
- Air conditioning
- Bicycle hire
- Walking distance restaurants
- Wedding license
- Safe
- Concierge
- Cots available
- Family Suites
- Four poster beds
- Child friendly
- Laundry
- No pets
- Airport transfer
- Suites
Activities
- Great walks
- Leave Marrakech on a day trip to Ourika Valley, a lush oasis of vegetation in the foothills of the magnificent Atlas Mountains
- Sights nearby
- Go on a morning tour of Marrakech which includes the sweet gardens of Bahia Palace, Koutoubia Tower and the Saadian Tombs
- Other Activities
- Tours of the city's many lovely botanical gardens - including Marjorelles - can be arranged for guests
- Cycling
- Bicycles can be hired for guests who wish to explore the area & cycling tours can be arranged
- Local markets
- There is an abundance of buzzing souks & markets to explore just minutes from the property
- Cooking classes
- Museums
- Close to nightlife
- Learning
- Wildlife Area
Map & Location
What's Nearby
Other Reviews
Riad Siwan Marrakech, Morocco
Riad Siwan is a Marrakech riad hotel offering elegant interiors, stately guestrooms, impressive art installations, a huge sundeck, numerous activities, contemporary bedrooms and local Moroccan cuisine, near the Bahia Palace, the Badi Palace and the Saadian Tombs.
Originally published by The Telegraph (view article)
Riad Siwan
They have a novel way of transporting your bags through the narrow alleyways which lead up to the unmarked door at Riad Siwan — by wheel barrow. Once you're safely in with all your luggage, you'll find a charming home, which was rebuilt from rubble over three years.
Originally published by The Times (view article)
