Riad la Famille, a Cozy Riad in the Medina of Marrakech

Here we are letting you know one of our favorite riads in Marrakesh, Riad la Famille.
Just as its name says, this riad is run by a family in Marrakech.
You will feel like you're invited to a true Moroccan family's house!

Lobby of the riad

Something typical about this riad is, the small fountain in the middle of the lobby. It seems the owner likes this white and red color combination.

Entrance

The entrance of the riad. Just like other riads in Marrakech, no sign, no specific indicantions, it's just like someone's home.

Welcome tea

Right after you arrive in the riad, you will be welcomed with tea and cookies. This is my favorite, fekkas (biscotti) ! You should try this at least once in Morocco.

Red twin room

This is a red room, since this riad has just opened in the recent years, the walls and floors seem still new.

Bathroom

Big bathroom with bathtub, which is unusual for this type of small riad.

Upper floor

Go up the stairs, then you'll get to the upper floor. It still seems like a typical house in Morocco.

Room with blue color

This is another twin room, painted with blue color. Each room has its own taste.

Bathroom of the blue room

Here also the bathroom is very unique. I've never seen a riad's bath with such a pillar! It also has a bathtub, and the ceramic sink is very beautiful.

Shower room

Another example of a unique bathroom. Look at the shape of this shower room! Colorful sunshine is coming in through the colored-glass window.

Rooftop terrace

When you come to a riad, you should go up to the rooftop. They'll have a nice cozy terrace, you can spend a day as much as you want with  a hot tea.

So many riads in Marrakech, maybe 1,000 or more. But if this will be the riad you're looking for, please let us know!

Riad la Famille
213 Arset Ali Ou Saleh Bab El Khamis - 40 000. Marrakech, Morocco

For booking and inquiry:
Morocco Desert Palm Tours

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Hamam and Spa Experience in Marrakesh, Refresh Yourself!

Hamam must be one of the things you'd definitely want to try in Morocco. It is a traditional steam bath, you can find anywhere in the cities in Morocco and here in Marrakesh, luxury hamam and spas are waiting for you to have a totally relaxing time.

Moroccan fragrance

We visited one of the best hamam & spa in Marrakesh, Heritage Spa. It's right in the middle of the medina,. you might just walk by if you don't know that's exactly the place you are looking for.

Entrance of Heitage Spa

You will need a reservation since you will have a private hamam and spa room. Before the start, staff will ask you what type of massage you'd like and you can choose soap and oil for own your hamam and spa experience.

Pickup soap and oil for yourself

You might need to have some idea what kind of soap or oil they have in Morocco. As for soaps, black olive soap called "Savon Noire" is very popular, or you will be able to choose argan soap. also one of the specialties in Morocco. Oils are orange blossom, amber and musk, or sandal wood, so on. Some of them have a very deep Oriental scent.

Changing room

After picking up an soap and an oil, you'll be taken to this changing room. Bathrobe, slippers, and disposable underwear is here.You don't have to bring anything on your own.

To the hamam room

A lady will take you to a hamam room. You'll be impressed to find everything is nice and clean. the traditional Moroccan style courtyard is also worth seeing.

Hamam room

You just need to lie down on a hot stone, that will make you very warm. A lady will wash you with the soap you have chosen. You'd feel like all the bad things around you, not only outside, also inside, are washed away.

Washing lady

Just like all the Moroccans, staff here are so nice and friendly. The lady helped me take photos.

Traditional style saloon in Hamam

Tea time

Between the hamam and spa, a little break with tea and sweets. Morocco's sweet mint tea tastes especially good after the hot hamam.

Spa room

In this spa room you will have a aroma oil massage about 45 minutes. Slow music and aroma scent will bring you into sweet dreams.

After these 2 hours experiences, you'll be a totally different person! You'd feel your body and the mind is lighter. We can assure you that this will be one of your best experiences in Morocco!

Please contact us if you're interested in Hamam & Spa experience in Marrakesh!

Morocco Desert Palm Tours

Marrakesh Cooking Class is Waiting for You!

Morocco is famous with its local unique food, and you'll have a chance to cook it on your own in a cooking class in Marrakesh!

First, you will go to a souk (old market) to buy vegetables and meat.
Then, at one of the riads in the medina, a Moroccan cook will show you how to make tajine, a Moroccan's traditional stew.
You'll cook it on your own and eat it for your lunch or dinner.
This is a great chance to learn Moroccan cuisine, some Arabic words, and enjoy your original tajine!

Kitchen in a riad

Riad is an old house turned to a hotel, its kitchen is exactly like the one in a Moroccan's house.

Kitchen utensils

Some of the kitchen utensils are traditional ones. As for tajine pot, there are various shapes and sizes, small ones are used for condiments on a table, such as cumin powder.

Prepare vegetables

Very basic vegetables for tajine is onion, tomato, carrot, and potato. And add anything you like so that it looks nice. Meat can be chicken, beef or lamb. And don't forget to add a lot of olive oil!

Cut vegetables

The secret of tajine is natural taste of vegetables. Don't have to add a lot of condiments, if you stew it long time in a tajine pot, vegetables will show you a magical taste!

Tajine with chicken and various vegetables

Stew it at least 30 minutes, 1 hour if you have time. Olive and peas are also favorite ingredients. Then Bon appetit! We don't use fork or spoon, take it with Moroccan bread.

You will be able to get a tajine pot in a souk for yourself. Please try your own tajine at home!

Please contact us if you're interested in a cooking class in Marrakesh.

by Morocco Desert Palm Tours

Try Henna and Tea in Marrakesh, Morocco!

Henna tattoo is very popular in Marrakesh, I think everyone wants to try just one time to see how it's like.

But asking at a lady on the street is a little risky. Does the henna have a good quality? Can she draw well? So we are taking you to a cafe where you can experience very safe authentic henna tattoo!

Henna art

Fist of all, henna is a name of plant, very common in the Northern Africa or India. They make powder with henna leaves and when you mix it with water, you will be able to dye your hair or draw pictures on your hand.

It's not permanent, it'll go away in a week, local ladies think it as one of cosmetics. Drawing pictures on your hand is usually called henna tattoo, but it 's totally safe and healthy, it'll be one of your good memories while travelling in Morocco.

Henna Cafe

This is Henna Cafe, located right in the middle of the medina in Marrakesh. They have a nice terrace on the upper floor and you will be able to experience henna art while having tea or coffee.

First, pickup a design from their original brochure. Many of them are flowers and plant patterns and some includes traditional Berber symbols.

Henna artist

A local lady draws the picture deliberately on the back of your hand. Generally, there's no school or teacher, they learn it on their own. The technique differs depending on the artist.

Henna art is getting done

What you see it still putting henna on your hand. When it's done, wait a little while to get dry and wipe out the powder. Then beautiful pattern will be appear on your skin.

Moroccan tea

Having tea in the media is one of the best things to do in Morocco. Just wait for a while with tea, chatting with your friends just like Moroccans. The henna artist will put you her finishing touch with lemon juice, which will make your tattoo more vivid.

Henna art completed

When you wipe it off, you will see the pattern on your skin. This is orange, and there are other several colors. Every morning you see it, you'd feel like you are a bit different person. 

Please contact us if you'd like henna tattoo during your tour in Marrakesh!

Morocco Desert Palm Tours

Marrakesh Day Trip

Morocco in Autumn, Desert, Marrakech, and Chefchaouen!

We've got a good feedback from our customers again!
Here's what they say:

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It was our first visit to a country in Africa, and we really enjoyed it.
We had the same driver all through our tour and he was very helpful.

When we wanted to go to a supermarket, he just came with us.
During the driving, he always stopped where we wanted to take photos.
He also explained what the places are, where we are going.
Thanks to him, we enjoyed all the places we visited. Sightseeing, shopping, everything was wonderful.

In Marrakech, we got lost often but it was an exciting experience.
At the shops in souk, we negotiated the prices and we could buy more than we expected.
Also we enjoyed food stalls in Jemaa el Fna.

Desert Dune in Merzouga

In Merzouga, we enjoyed our first camel trekking!
At the camping site, we climbed up high on the dune and the camel boy helped us get to the top. From there, we had a great view of the sunrise.

In Chefchaouen, we walked around with a local guide and he actually took us all the places we needed to see. We had a chance to talk with some locals and now we are Facebook friends!

Thank you for making our tour great and something special.

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If you need your original tour, just let us know what you'd like.
We'll create an original tour for you!

Morocco Desert Palm Tours: Tailor-Made

Ben Youssef Madrasa in Marrakech, One of Must-Sees

If you have a chance to walk in the media of Marrakech, try to check out Ben Youssef Madrasa, which is in the north of the old medina.

Usually, shopping in the souk is the highlight of the tour, but if you just spare a short time to visit here, your day in Marrakech could be much more unforgettable.

Beautiful courtyard

Ben Youssef Madrasa, an Islamic school for young studens, was established by the 14th century Sultan, and it had been actually used until the middle of the 20th century. Right next to this school is a mosque, and students came and went between the school and the mosque.

On the way to Ben Youssef

To get to the madrasa, you'll walk through the narrow streets in the medina in Marrakech. Shops along the streets are fun to see.

Marrakech Museum is in the next

Marrakech Museum is right next to the madrasa. This used to a 19th century palace of a noble person in Marrakech.

The entrace

After getting through a small gate, suddenly a bright big courtyard appears in front of you. It's a nice surprise for visitors.

The wall is covered with Islamic patterns

The walls of the courtyard are covered with elaborate patterns and mosaics. Very sophisticated and well-organised.

Fine example of zellige mosaic

Tiles here are one of the most beautiful examples of zellige mosaic. You can identify the Ben Youssef Madrasa only by seeing its wall mosaic.

Looking down the courtyard from upstairs

If you go upstairs, you can look down the courtyard. Afternoon sunlight makes a beautiful contrast.

Bedrooms for students

Contrary to the big courtyard, bedrooms for students upstairs are like small cells. Just a place for a bed and maybe for pray.

Beautiful decorations inside

Hallway is also beautifully decorated. How lucky students are, who actually had a chance to live here. And I believe we can find someone who had a school life here if we try hard!

Let's visit Ben Youssef Madrasa with us!
Marrakech Day Trip

by Morocco Desert Palm Tours

Riad Altair in Marrakech, Evertyhing is Just Beautiful!

Here I'm letting you know one of MY favorite riads in Marrakech.
There are so many riads in the town and I've visited many of them.
This place somehow makes me feel like "Yes, this is the riad in Marrakech!!"

 
This place is not far from the parking place near Bab Doukkara, but as always :-) hard to find the entrance. Better ask a local to find the way.
Once you get there, it'll be easy for the second time.



The courtyard with a lot of green is something typical with this riad.
Fountain, rose petals, and of course, candles at night.



Room is not so big just like other riads. But it is well organized and looks authentic including traditional Moroccan carpets.



Some people say they like this quiet neighborhood. Just go straight to get to Jemaa el Fna.


This is the most beautiful breakfast I've ever seen in my life.
This could change your life. Really :-)

Riad Altair
21, derb Zaouia, Mosque of Bab Doukkala, Medina, Marrakesh, Morocco
Tel: +212 5 24 38 52 24
GSM: +212 6 61 36 19 99
Fax: +33 1 79 73 67 14
http://www.riadaltair.com/en/

Visit Marrakech with us!
Marrakech Day Trip

by Morocco Desert Palm Tours

Riad Des Droles in Marrakech, Oasis in Medina

Here we are showing you one of our favorite riads in Marrakech, Riad Des Droles.
it's not like other famous luxury riads, the price is reasonable, but still you can feel the real beauty of a riad in Marrakech.


The corridor is beautifully decorated with furniture and plants. The lamp seems a little African.


Each room has a different color. This is a red room. The curtain makes this place something special.


This is a blue room. When you are three, this sofa can be another bed.


The roof top terrace is also relaxing, overlooking the medina in Marrakech.


Looking down the courtyard from the upper floor. the staff are very friendly! You can just visit by to enjoy the atmosphere.


The shower room. Small but also beautifully decorated. I love those brass faucets.


This is the entrance. It's always difficult to find a riad in the medina of Marrakech :-)

Riad des Droles
Derb Dabachi, Derb Jdid n 23 Medina Marrakech
http://www.riad-des-droles-marrakech.com/

Let's visit Marrakech with us!
Imperial Cities & Desert Camping
Marrakech Day Trip

by Morocco Desert Palm Tours