Ellie & Co team just got back from a winter week in Marrakech in which we had the most fun venturing off the tourist trail. One of the highlights was our accommodation, a special riad in a hidden corner of the medina for just EUR70/night that remains off most tourists’ radars! As a reader of Ellie & Co, I know you’re going to love it.
Several people asked me about it after I posted a photo of the roof terrace on Instagram, and I’ve been itching to share the details with you since. Rather than just pass on the name to people who messaged, I wanted to take you on the full tour. Links to the hotel website are scattered throughout the post.
Dar Rbaa Laroub is a traditional riad (meaning all the rooms are set around a central courtyard, incase you didn’t know – I didn’t until I looked it up…). It’s hidden away up a lovely quiet narrow street in a cool area of the old medina, north of the crazy square with all the snake charmers and henna ladies.
It’s owned by a laid-back bohemian French man, called Jean Noel, who lives in it, too, when he’s not as his mountain farmhouse. Jealous much… He’s owned it since the 80s: “It’s a very long and colourful story,” he says, turning his jazz music up, pouring red wine!
Stepping inside the courtyard after a long time travelling, felt like an absolute dream! I was totally distracted by all the plants in pots everywhere, the cosy places to sit – and the swing chair next to our room! I felt so lucky having booked it. You’d think a place like this would be expensive, too, but it only cost 75 euros a night, including breakfast.
The lounge doubles up as the reception area, so you check in surrounded by art, antique furniture and books, old well-read copies of Vanity Fair and Vogue. It feels like you’re at your eccentric aunt and uncle’s French country house.
We stayed in the ‘white room’, which was comfy, cosy and had a fire which was magically lit for us every night we came back from dinner. After we checked in, we begged Jean for a bottle of red wine to take to the roof terrace. Wine isn’t served in many places in Marrakech but we were lucky.
All riads have roof terraces – that’s one of the fun things about a holiday in Marrakech. Getting to eat breakfast each morning on a roof terrace. This one seems so special somehow – I think it’s all the plants again. We pretty much sat up here every day before going out for dinner, too. I took sooooo many photos of it!
This little nook up the steps turned out to be the one everyone wanted to sit at…
Turned out to be a good spot for red-wining sipping at sunset with this view…. dreamy. Take me back!
So, there you have it. I hope you enjoyed your tour of our home in Marrakech and I’ve inspired you if you’re thinking of visiting.
3 Comments
Hello lovely. Hope you are well. This place looks totally awesome, planning a trip next year so bookmarked.
Were you there in March? I’m trying to decide best time to visit so any tips on that useful, I was thinking September……and did you hike in the Atlas Mountains?
Always love your insider tips! Much love, Vikki XX
Ellie….links not working Xx
Hi Vikki, lovely to hear from you again! Yes, we went to the mountains. But only for a night. I tested the links and they seem to be working. Let me know what one isn’t for you…