Riad Hayati

The highlights

• Relax beside the fountain in the columned courtyard among palms and lemon trees
• Staff on hand to provide chauffeur services, guides, beauty treatments and fine Moroccan cuisine
• Tan on the sublime roof terrace with views towards the Atlas Mountains
• Four beautifully styled double bedrooms, each with a soothing hammam-style bathroom
• A perfect base for the Bahia Palace and exploring Marrakech’s lively old town

You should know

• Breakfast is included, with other meals available at an additional cost
• Transfers are available from Marrakech Airport by arrangement
• The price is per room per night, the whole Riad can be booked exclusively from £450 per night.

The detail

Within sight of Marrakech’s landmark Bahia Palace, Riad Hayati is a luxurious 4-bedroom boutique bed & breakfast full of Middle Eastern influence. If you seek a haven with a hint of the Orient as your base in the captivating ‘Red City’, then look no further.

A fine example of Moorish architecture, the riad is set around a stunning courtyard fringed with palms and lemon trees, and dates from the 18th century, when it was used as a merchant’s house. There are all sorts of intriguing spaces within to spend your chillout time, with beautiful balconies and a sun terrace inviting you to curl up for an hour or two. Cool white walls lined with Ottoman tapestries exude serenity and history in equal measure.

Each of the quartet of bedrooms features its own hammam-style bathroom with spacious tub, and most are adorned by a fireplace. Even the study can be used as a fifth bedroom if needed. You can’t fail to be stirred by a romantic ambience at night, as you gaze across the candlelit courtyard with its centrepiece fountain, the smell of incense in the air perfectly encapsulating sultry Marrakech’s exoticism.

Despite its generous capacity, Riad Hayati retains an intimate feel, and you’ll feel truly looked after when you’re welcomed by the attentive staff. The cook will rustle up some enticing Moroccan cuisine to enjoy on the roof terrace, looking out towards Bahia Palace and the Atlas Mountains. Fancy a massage or facial? All can be arranged, and if you need a chauffeur to guide you through the city and share their expert local knowledge, you only need ask. The team’s friendly and courteous hospitality is something that guests have repeatedly praised.

As for the city itself, Marrakech is a feast on so many levels, with a little of everything to be discovered. Wander the marketplaces of the medina, or ‘old town’, to find your haggled-over souvenir, as locals and tourists jostle for space on bustling narrow streets.

The nightlife is unexpected and unrelenting, with clubs and rooftop bars worth seeking out for a voguish Arabian sojourn. And if tranquility is more your style, there’s the life-affirming Jardin Majorelle on the estate of Yves San Laurent – stroll among the palms and cacti and you’ll soon get back to nature, even though it’s right in the heart of the city.

Sensational in the truest sense of the word, Riad Hayati and Marrakech are a combination you won’t want to miss out on.

Features

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