Riads are traditional rich men's houses and palaces.  In Arabic the terms means a large house with a courtyard, fountain and small garden.  They are always exceptionally plain from the outside, originally designed so that there was no public display of opulence, the wealth was all reserved for the richness of the decoration once within.  The favoured location was always at the end of an alleyway so there was no passing daily traffic.

There are now over 1,000 riads in Marrakech.  An explosion of investment occurred at the turn of the century and hundreds of old buildings were bought and converted, mainly by French and Americans.  Choosing a riad is like selecting a brightly wrapped parcel from an enormous tombola, one may find a gem - and then again...

The term riad is almost synonomous with Morocco.  Situated always in the heart of the medina, whether you are in Marrakech, Fez or Essaouira they are a heartbeat away from the vibrancy of the souk.  They are nearly always stylish, personalised, quirky and a world away from the homogenous international hotels that are found outside the medina walls.  They usually excel in Moroccan cuisine, have hammans and spas to die for superb roof terraces that encompass views over the city and, in the case of Marrakech, the Atlas mountains.

Some are ideal for families, with good sized swimming pools and gardens, such as Jardin de la Medina in Marrakech.  Others are perfect for a romantic weekend get aways for couples such La Maison Arabe in Marrakech and Heure Bleu in Essaouira and still others for those on restricted budgets.

We can also recommend small riads for exclusive use such as the three bedroomed, Riad Fawaki, with pool, private cook and a home from home ambience.