Riad zitoune el kedim, 34, Derb Jdid, Marrakech, Morocco | (888) 616-5829
Beautifully
restored traditional riad, located at the southern end of the medina, near the Bahia Palace
10- to 15-minute walk to Djemaa el Fna square
Elegantly styled air-conditioned rooms
Rooftop terrace
with pool, loungers, and hot tub
Extensive breakfast
included in rate
Lunch, dinner,
and cooking classes available
Free Wi-Fi
throughout
No hammam on-site
Fee to use hot tub
The seven-room Riad Jona is a particularly
attractive, upscale guesthouse located at the southern end of the medina, near the Bahia Palace, within a 10- to 15-minute walk to Djemaa el Fna square. Interiors have elegant touches, like filigree lanterns, ironwork, and scatted rose petals, adding to the romantic vibe. Facilities include an above-ground rooftop pool and a hot tub (for a fee). Rooms are elegantly finished, especially the suites, and lunch and dinner, prepared by a resident chef, is excellent. Those looking for more fashion-forward decor could try the Riad Elizabeth.
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Scene
Smart and attractive decor with a romantic vibe
A studded wooden entrance flanked by potted palms sets
the tone at this particularly polished riad hotel. Its interior is
a tasteful blend of intricate plasterwork, carved dark-wood furnishings, sumptuous fabrics, and filigree lanterns throwing dappled light onto limestone walls. Incense
mingles with the smell of freshly cut roses (rose petals are strewn
liberally around the property), while intricate wrought ironwork and tasseled
drapery decorate the walkways. A rooftop terrace provides a sunny space to
unwind under canopy-shaded seating. And the above-ground pool, which is larger than the courtyard plunge pools of most riads, gives a spot to cool off. The owners -- Ghizlane
and Julien -- opened Riad Jona in 2007 and have taken care to retain its original charm and romantic ambience.
Location
On a high-walled medina street within a 10- to 15-minute walk of Djemaa el Fna square
The hotel is
located in the labyrinthine area of Riad Zitoun Jdid in the medina's southern end, near the Bahia Palace complex and the Mellah, the oldest Jewish quarter in Morocco, with its lively spice market. Djemaa el Fna square -- full of snake-charmers,
fortune-tellers, and orange juice vendors -- is 10 to 15 minutes away on
foot, while the bustling souks lie just beyond the square. As is the case with many medina
properties, there is no direct car access, though the hotel has an airport shuttle service, which is
strongly recommended, as the riad is not easy to find the first time; it's a five-minute walk from the shuttle drop-off point.
Rooms
A blend of modern and traditional elements with fresh fruit and flowers
While individually styled, the Riad Jona's seven guest rooms and suites tend toward fresh light tones in"tadelakt" plaster
with splashes of shimmering crimsons and purples. Plenty of traditional
Moroccan furnishings and lighting -- hanging lanterns, ornate plaster, and arched doorways -- make an appearance. Like other riads, rooms do not have TVs, minibars, or coffeemakers (although the Cannelle Suite has an iPod station). Rooms are air-conditioned, however, and come with free Wi-Fi, although the signal gets weak in the upper-floor rooms. Noise can be an issue as well: Ground-floor rooms can pick up sounds from the kitchen and courtyard, while the call to prayer can be heard on the upper levels.
Features
Large and sunny rooftop terrace with small pool and hot tub
The riad has a large rooftop terrace with a bar,
small above-ground pool, plenty of sun loungers, and a hot tub, which comes with an extra fee. An excellent breakfast of fresh fruit, yogurt, and Moroccan
pancakes is served each morning on the sunny terrace, on the patio in
cooler weather, or guests' rooms if desired. There's no hammam on-site, but massage treatments can be arranged. Cooking lessons are also available
with the resident chef, who prepares delicious lunches and dinners.
