Riad Dar-K - Marrakech — palms and bricks

Looking for the real Marrakech experience? Then book yourself a room in a ‘riad’. Formerly traditional Moroccan houses, now often transformed into pretty hotels. Petit in size, grand in elegance and often with a shady courtyard, plunge pool and asunlit roof terrace to top things off. We stayed at the newly renovated Riad Dar-K and are still fond of it.

The fragrant alleys of Marrakesh's medina filled with market vendors, trudging donkeys and kamikaze moped riders can be quite overwhelming to say the least. Should (as we have recently learned) not be a reason to avoid it when it comes to sleeping arrangements. Because as intense as the medina might feel, as overwhelming is the tranquility the moment you close the thick front door of Riad Dar-K behind you. From then on it’s just the gentle clatter of the inner courtyard’s fountain, the chirping of birds and the smell of freshly baked Msemmen.

Riad Dar-K is in hands of the Australian Lisa who exchanged Sydney for Marrakech. She gave the Riad a much-needed upgrade and transformed its living room into a beautiful Salon Suite, leaving the riad with five rooms; three suites and two double rooms. All with a 10/10 in simplicity and elegance. The atmosphere is somewhere between bohemian chic and authentic Moroccan. Sleek seating areas with Moroccan pottery and cast iron lanterns, beds with original Berber tent poles and hand-woven pom pom bedspreads - and more. All set in an interior of fifty shades of white, beige and gray. So nice it made us want to copy-paste the entire interior to your bedroom at home. Same goes for the bathrooms at Riad Dar-K, all with a traditional Tadelakt finish.

A stay at Riad Dar-K includes a daily breakfast of fresh fruit, yogurt, pastries, warm Msemmen, coffee and herbal teas. Served in the quiet courtyard between the lemon trees. In the summer months you’ll find a small plunge pool, in winter the hatch closes turning it into a seating area. Lunch and dinner can be arranged on request, although you have favorites such as NOMAD , Max & Jan and the restaurants at the Djemaa el Fnaa square less than a ten minutes walk from the Riad.

We hear you wonder if there are also any con’s about this pretty place. Perhaps, because the location in the heart of the medina means that you cannot escape the daily morning prayers. Earplugs might come in handy - not just because of the prayers, also because the courtyard where all rooms adjoin can be a bit noisy. Also, the Medina kind of dies out after 11 p.m. Fortunately you will find more than enough taxis within walking distance of the Riad, but make sure to negotiate. All adds to the real deal Marrakech experience.

Riad Dar-K, rooms starting at EUR 95 per night