Derb el Baroud 33, Marrakech, Morocco | (727) 241-5756
Riad guesthouse with chic modern interiors
Five minutes'
walk to the medina souks
Individually decorated
rooms with iPod docks
Peaceful
courtyard with plunge pool
Rooftop terrace with
loungers and bar
Breakfast
included in rate
Free Wi-Fi
throughout
Some rooms get street noise
No hammam
Decor lacks traditionally ornate Moroccan design (pro for some)
The Riad Elizabeth is located in the oldest part of the medina, near the Mederesa Ben Youssef and the Marrakech Museum, about a 15-minute walk to the Djemaa el Fna square. It's conveniently located for visiting the medina's main souks, and it offers good road access to taxis just beyond the walled
gates. But historic location aside, the interiors are decidedly contemporary. Despite a few traditional Moroccan touches, smart monochrome decor pervades throughout, including in its six individually styled rooms. And while the rooftop terrace provides a particularly pleasant place to
unwind, there's no hammam or spa facilities beyond the courtyard pool. Overall, Riad Elizabeth offers an attractive, modern take on riad-style lodgings, and its prices are a bit higher.
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Scene
Riad accommodation with a chic, contemporary vibe
Passing through an unassuming entrance, visitors enter a riad like few others in the medina. The British owner has deviated from the traditional Moroccan-style interiors and opted for a smart, contemporary design. Traditional, intricate geometry and
warm terra-cotta tones have been replaced with chessboard checkered tiling,
crisp whitewashed walls, and pieces of modern art. Heavy velvet drapes and
plush low-profile furnishings exude an air of decadence, while a mirrored black-tile pool occupies most of the ground-floor courtyard. But this riad isn't devoid of local flavor: Filigree lamps, potted palms, and ornate wrought ironwork add Moroccan touches. The rooftop terrace provides plenty of space to relax in the sun or
by the lounge's log fireplace in cooler weather.
Location
In the oldest part of the medina, within a five-minute walk of the entrance to the souks
The hotel is
located among the labyrinthian, cobbled pedestrian streets in the oldest part of the medina, near the Marrakech Museum and the Mederesa Ben Youssef, considered one of the finest examples of Moorish architecture in Morocco. Most of the main tourist attractions of this 11th-century UNESCO-recognized district are within walking distance, with the
entrance to the city's famous souks about five minutes away on foot. The lively
Djemaa el-Fna square -- full of snake-charmers, fortune-tellers, and orange
juice vendors -- is a 15-minute walk from the riad, where guests can also find horse-drawn carts to explore beyond the medina walls. There is no direct car access to the
riad, but parking and taxis are less than a five-minute walk away -- an airport
transfer organized through the riad is highly recommended. It's about a 15-minute drive to Marrakech Menara Airport.
Rooms
Chic monochrome rooms with iPod docks and free Wi-Fi
Like the riad itself, each of the six guest rooms bears a feminine name and the property's chic, black-and-white design. Jet-black doors, cabinets, and bed frames are set off by glossy white walls. Local
touches include carved plaster trim and traditional Moroccan hanging lamps,
while bathrooms are finished in "tadelakt" polished
plasterwork. Typical of riad rooms, there's no TV or telephone, but all
have iPod docks, Egyptian cotton sheets, and free Wi-Fi, as well as free mineral water and bath products.
All rooms have air-conditioning units and one room, Olivia, features a
lovely fireplace. Relatively unusual for a riad, some of the rooms overlook the
street and are prone to noise from passing pedestrians and scooters.
Features
Rooftop terrace with free breakfast service and bar -- though no hammam spa
Breakfast, which is included in the room rate, includes fresh fruit, yogurt, bread and
jams, and a hot item such as Moroccan pancakes or omelets -- usually taken on
the rooftop terrace. There's also a small rooftop bar serving alcohol and soft
drinks, as well as a few sun loungers. There's a courtyard plunge
pool for cooling off. A lounge with comfy seating and a chessboard
makes a cozy place to hole up when it's cold out. But there are no hammam facilities. A dinner of Moroccan specialties can also be
arranged (in advance), as well as airport transfers.
