Marrakesh by Ben Harris.
I am in love with Marrakesh. No need to introduce the destination, a true legend among the most famous places in the world. The legendary city Marrakesh.
In Marrakech the sky is a Wagnerian celebration: indigo with pinpricks of starlight, deep sapphire, cerulean, its colors are funneling down through the horizon in the wake of the setting sun. The vivid sounds of the medina are borne towards me, dramatic cried, metallic clashes.
The fairy-tale buildings seem to float above the feathery tops of the palm trees in stark but serene radiance.” (Anthony Gladstone-Thompson, ‘Morocco in the 1960s”).
Back to our lovely Riad Star, like many of the riads — small hotels in former homes with courtyard gardens — in the Marrakesh medina, the old city, conceals an opulent and tranquil retreat behind a carved plaster entry on a nondescript pedestrian alley.
Before opening the lovely Riad the owners found out that the home had once been owned by Josephine Baker, the entertainer who fled Paris during the German occupation of World War II. They consequently decorated the seven-room riad in tribute to her, including mannequins modeling two of her original spangled gowns in the sunny breakfast room.
In the heart of the pedestrian alleyways of the medina, Riad Star is near the souks and the Marrakesh Museum, known for carvings of the 19th-century palace that houses it.
Centered around the sunny central atrium, each of the seven rooms offers a fantastic style and décor.
The whole Riad is themed to the Jazz Age or aspects of Baker’s life. Mine, Chiquita, named for her pet cheetah, is the only one on the third-story roof deck, which also includes public spaces including chaise longues and sofas. In addition to its own private outdoor seating area, the terra-cotta-tiled and plaster-walled room features a fireplace, and a queen bed. Pierced metal sconces and modern lighting fixtures add drama, and books on Baker underline the theme.
My place had a fantastic bathroom, completly different style.
Creamy plaster walls contrast with black granite countertops, a pounded-silver sink and ornate silver mirror frame, collectively evoking a sense of boudoir glamour. A roomy walk-in shower and a bathroom entry hall with a mini-refrigerator add utility.
The tiny plunge pool in the lobby atrium is adequate for dangling your feet in after a sweaty day of shopping the souks.
The riad offers a hammam, off the walled roof terrace where bougainvillea springs from terracotta urns and a fireplace is stocked with wood which was great.
We had sweet dreams in the “red” city. Next morning we woke up with a smile and took place at a table
with breakfast, lots of fruit, yogurt, Moroccan crepes, bread and jam, eggs and pancakes optionally cooked to order. Yummy. Start of a perfect day.
We enjoyed our stroll in the “La Mamounia” garden.
After this we went to our favourite garden, the famous “Majorelle”.
Tips:
Take a sundowner in the “Nomad”, try a camel burger at “Café Clock”, try “Tangia” amazing meat made in hamam
We loved it and will be back soon.
