28 Jul 2011, Posted by Maxine Sheppard in A Room of One's Own, 3 Comments

A room of one’s own: Riad Amiris, Marrakech

It took me ages to find the right riad for a long weekend in Marrakech – I looked at so many they all started to blur into one. In the end I went with a word of mouth recommendation from travel journalist David Whitley, and I wasn’t disappointed. Riad Amiris is beautiful, simple and calm – exactly what I was looking for.

The riad is small, with just six rooms set around a plant-filled central courtyard which serves as a lounging area and restaurant.

At night, the multicoloured tealights and low-lit lanterns give the courtyard a sultry glow. The constant trickle of water feeding into the square, petal-filled pool is relaxing rather than irritating, and lulls you into near-sleep as you lie back on the sofa and try to read.

Our room, the Chambres des Oiseaux, was on the first floor and looked out into the interior courtyard, as all traditional riad rooms do. It’s an ancient design principle that supports Islamic notions of privacy and a respite from the heat.

At the top of the riad is a roof terrace with plenty of tables and chairs, leather day beds and flowers and shrubs in clay pots. There’s also a small hammam. After a morning traipsing the souks, this is a welcoming place for a pot of mint tea and a book, or just to stare into space and listen to the call to prayer and the moped-filled murmer of the alleys below.

The riad is a two minute walk from Jemaa el Fna, but it’s really hard to navigate the maze-like backstreets if you don’t know where you’re going. Fortunately someone came to meet us from the taxi rank up the alley where we were dropped off from the airport. I genuinely don’t think we would have found it on our own and I like to think I’m pretty good with a map.

Rates are available from 85 Euros – pretty reasonable. Breakfast is included. For more info visit Riad Amiris. [Some of my photos appear on their website, but I have no affiliation with them.]