Riad Tarabel, Marrakech

More than simply a city hotel, Riad Tarabel is a romantic hideout embracing a timeless design with a French twist, in the heart of the old medina—and featuring one of the best spas in Marrakech.

Never mind finding the right door in the maze of the pathways and streets of the old city—we would never have guessed that the small door hidden at the end of a dingy pathway could be an entrance to a glamorous riad, filled with family heirlooms, souk-sourced antiques, and cedar furniture.

But here we were, taking the first steps inside, through a dark corridor, and then onto the main courtyard of Riad Tarabel, green from the orange trees planted in the middle.

Four interconnected houses

Each of the four houses making up the riad has a central courtyard, but it is the first one that was designed for a dramatic effect. With the neat orange trees, finely furnished porticos, and grand salons, the first house makes great use of light and shade, offsetting the green lawn and white walls with the traditional tadelakt tile patterns and blueish-grey design theme.

From here, you can go directly into the truly beautiful spa, accessible from the first courtyard through a secret door, hidden in a mirror. It certainly feels like a secret. It’s an utterly tranquil space where you can truly switch off. The entire house here is devoted to the spa—and the building’s courtyard is converted to a tranquil lobby, or lounge, with a glass roof.

The two other houses of de Tarabel are accessed from the first courtyard through a small boutique shop. The main attraction there is a black granite pool in the center of one courtyard, with lounge areas on four sides. One of these is a bar designed as an orangery, sporting a fabulous mural.

To the side is the fourth riad, with a small paved patio at its core. Quiet and cozy, strewn with old books and period objects, it is also here where we checked in and stayed for a few days in one of the ground-floor suites.

Riad Tarabel design

Riad Tarabel has ten rooms and suites in total. Each has its own identity, realized in thoughtfully curated interior design. Old photographs, large paintings, old prints, and mirrors adorn the walls, and elegant, black lacquered furniture, sparkling chandeliers, and Venetian mirrors help to create the look.

Rather than going for the Moroccan decoration and style, often ornate, if not gaudy, the designer of Riad Tarabel set the interiors in a neutral palette of beiges, taupes, and soft grays. They brought in wooden shutters, dainty garden furniture, wrought-iron railings, and freestanding rolltop baths—enriching the traditional Arab-Andalusian architecture with Provençal aesthetic and European styles.

Relaxing and lounging

The living areas include a sunbathed roof-terrace with views of the Atlas Mountains in the distance, salons and alcoves furnished with ornate rattan sofas, as well as a reading room and grand dining salon with a fireplace.

In summer, breakfast is served on the sunny terrace (and in the dining room in winter), but de Tarabel has no formal restaurant. The chef is on call throughout the day, though, and dining can be arranged in several attractive spots, including a lantern-lit patio, in the Orangerie-style bar, or one of the romantic cloister lounges.

Where you’d want to spend time most often is around the swimming pool. Built out of black stone and placed in the shade of the ground floor in one of the courtyards, it can be the focal point of daily activity, especially on hot summer days. For those who are here precisely to enjoy the heat of the Moroccan sun, a special terrace has been readied just one floor above the pool. It’s ideal for working on that perfect tan.

in our opinion

Riad Tarabel demonstrates what you can do with the concept of a boutique hotel when the personal taste of its creators enriches the local traditions with sophisticated European chic.

This place is a beautiful gem in the city, already bursting with a number of attractive hotel options.

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What we love

• Sophisticated, turn-of-the-century design vibe, combined with an intimate and tranquil atmosphere throughout, e.g. in the many lounging spots, cushion-filled sitting areas perfect for relaxing with a book and aromatic tea. The riad is filled with gorgeous design details and objects, such as small gurgling fountains, flickering candles after dusk, or crystal vases, always with fresh flowers
• Behind the Tarabel project is the founder Rose Marie Fournier, who created a delightful blend of old-world elegance and Moroccan vernacular
• When comes to the level of relaxation, the pièce de résistance is the tranquil, beautiful spa. A range of excellent treatments offers a hammam experience in a gorgeous setting
• The very spacious roof terrace is a great place for breakfasts—and the breakfasts were fantastic. They included pastries, little bowls of fruit and homemade yogurt, and eggs and omelets. Coffee was excellent, too
• High level of service from a small team of well-trained staff under the leadership of Laurent Bocca. Whether during check-in, breakfast, or simply offering guidance on Medina dining, shopping and excursions, the staff is always at hand to assist
• Location, in the old medina of Marrakech, close to the famous square Jemaa el Fna and the Dar El Bacha Palace

What you should know

• There is a kitchen but the riad does not have a formal restaurant, and dinner must be booked well in advance
• Standard rooms are on the small side—book one of the suites, which other than fabulous bedrooms, also sport bathrooms with roll-top tubs and double showers. Renting the entire riad is also available (with a steep rate to match)
• Guests are supplied with a mobile phone to call the room service at any time, or to call the hotel when out in town
• Children are welcome, but the riad does not have special facilities for the little ones. The place is not accessible by wheelchair. Ironing service is included
• We would love for the rooftop to have more cozy spots to lounge
• The owners of the riad are planning to open a new property, in Lisbon! The opening date is unconfirmed—but we will certainly look forward to discovering it.