‘Marrakech's Riads! Part 3 - Les Jardins de la Medina

It was my pleasure last year to visit the fabulous city of Marrakech. It is a vibrant city, overflowing with cultural sights, sounds and smells! One of its great surprises was the existence of the Riads! These are traditional Moroccan houses, many within the Medina itself, with an interior courtyard, largely hidden behind walls in alleyways. Often with very unobtrusive signs, their insignificant doors open into hallways leading to, in many cases, the most awesomely beautiful terraces and gardens and little plunge pools. With accommodations to rival any quality hotel, these offer a true Moroccan cultural experience! They provide a real oasis of calm in the midst of this bustling city. You might even need to climb onto the roof terraces to confirm you are still in the middle of Marrakech, from where the views of the city and the stunning Atlas mountains are a gorgeous sight. I would like to share some of my favourites with you... This was one of the most authentic Riads in Marrakech, and it has now been transformed to offer a delightful hotel, set in the most lovely gardens. It is next to the Royal Palace in the heart of the Medina. Unusually the road outside is wide enough for vehicles, thus ensuring you can be transferred to your door, which is not the privilege shared by of many Riads! Les Jardins de la Medina offers 36 rooms and suites which encircle the gardens and pool area. Unlike many other Riads, the rooms here modern and stylish, with a French/Moroccan twist, and I distinctly remember the baskets on the beds, full to the brim with pool towels, sun creams, sun hats and other goodies awaiting the in-coming guests...a nice touch! I must mention the gardens again...they are stunning, they continually offer up little surprises of secluded tables and chairs, dotted around, and tortoises, who amble along at their own (incredibly) leisurely pace! We ate (a wonderful) lunch amongst beautiful jacarandas, orange trees and exotic plants, which provided welcome shade from the very hot sun. Whilst on the subject of food, in what was once the reception hall of the Riad, is their lovely restaurant which serves extremely tasty menus. The chefs at Les Jardins de la Medina pride themselves on their cuisine and their tajines are phenomenal! They have a cookery school where you can learn to replicate wonderful Moroccan dishes. We were on a tight schedule so regretably I didn't get the chance to do so. At Les Jardins de la Medina they care very much to offer the 'soul of a Riad' They have created a superb oasis of peace and calm, and have managed to seamlessly combine ancient and traditional architecture with modern rooms and facilities. I really liked it! I will be delighted to tell you more about Marrakech, and its unexpected, charming Riads. Please call me anytime on 023 80863663