riad morocco

Yoga Retreat Marrakech

Riad’s—traditional Moroccan homes—are the perfect destination for yoga groups. The intimate layout, the rooftop terrace, and the relaxing dipping pool of our Riad Star offer a gorgeous backdrop to any yoga retreat. Our in-house chefs are happy to prepare fresh, nourishing food for the body and mind and our live-in staff is always on hand […]

L'atelier des saveurs restaurant Marrakech.

Nestled into the medina just around the corner from the beautiful Riad Papillon, you will find this trendy little spot which is aptly named “L’atelier des Saveurs”. This attractive, open fronted eatery is on the section of street that runs between the palace at Dar ‘l Bacha and the busy taxi drop-off point of Riad […]

Hospital in Casablanca 1941

In June 1941 Josephine Baker was at her home in Marrakech when she was struck with crippling abdominal pain. French captain Jacques Abtey borrowed a station wagon so that Josephine could lay down for the long ( 350 mile ) journey on uneven roads to the hospital in Casablanca. The date was June 1941, and […]

Cristiano-Ronaldo’s-Family-Members photo by Maria Dolores

Marrakech is an ever popular destination for celebrities, and as the popularity of this fabled red city grows year on year it is becoming the choice of destination for important celebrations. This year was no exception. Ronaldo was just one of a host of celebrities who chose to see in the New Year in the […]

2372B479-A1D8-4F40-A569-A0C0CCBC6EE1guest feedback at Marrakech Riad

There are so many things we could tell you about the special things we offer at our four boutique Riads in Marrakech, from the importance of caring and helpful yet discreet staff to the comfort and special touches which we offer as standard to all of our guests……….but sometimes it’s best to just let our […]

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Frida Kahlo and Josephine Baker are both women who inspire great respect and iconic status. Individually they both flourished as artists in their fields of painting and performance. At a point in history marred by bigotry and racism they reached heights of fame. Josephine and Frida were both known to be bisexual, and when they […]

Ahwash dancers - Marrakech riad

Ahwash dancing is from the areas around Ouarzazatte and the High Atlas mountains. Women in colourful dress stand motionless around a group of men who are in turn sitting around a fire. The men each have “bendir’s (simple wood and skin frame drums)  A piercing cry breaks the silence, and the performance begins. The men […]

Josephine Baker - Marrakech Riad Star

We love this new book by Mehdi de Graincourt. It’s a wonderfully researched and beautifully presented book in which Mehdi presents the Kingdom of Morocco through the eyes of those visitors through history who found a deep connection and passion for the country. Over several centuries, Morocco has attracted Western writers, painters,composers, singers and artists. […]

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The first time that Josephine heard a news report of her own death, she was lying on a chaise relaxing whilst enjoying the scent of the fragranced trees upon the rooftop gardens of Mohamed Menebhi’s palace. The very same complex of buildings are today Riad Star in Marrakech.  Josephine’s response, as reported by Ollie Stewart, […]

Wine Tasting with Marrakech riad

Wine may not be our first association when we think of Morocco, yet there superb wines and beautiful vineyards. Charles de Melia a renowned wine maker from the Chateauneuf du Pape region in France makes a selection of fabulous wines at his Moroccan vineyard.  This is the most southerly vineyard in North Africa and also has […]

Paris seemed small to Josephine Baker  compared to New York, however she fell in love with the city instantly and set out to conquer it. Her strategy was to consider the city as a lover and little by little seduce it. She was chic and funny, a winning combination . The rich flocked to Paris […]

Harira in Marrakech, Marrakech riad

The Lcrésé family are famous amongst the locals in Marrakech, for their positive presence in the community. In recent years, they established a successful restaurant, Atay; which is a popular hub amongst residents & tourists. They serve both traditional and continental dishes which are all prepared by their Moroccan chef, using fresh and locally sourced […]

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Claude Hopkins was a jazz pianist who led one of the most popular big bands to come out of Harlem. He went to Europe as musical director for the singer Josephine Baker, leading a band that included Sidney Bechet, the saxophonist and clarinetist. He led the orchestra on the opening night of the Revue Negre in Paris. […]

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Bananas were introduced to Morocco as a crop in the early 1940’s, production was confined to small plantings in special micro climates along the Atlantic coast, north of Agadir, The best sites for banana cultivation are low areas along the Atlantic coast that are essentially frost-free. Sites are protected from strong winds; also, windbreaks, typically living fences of […]

A secret garden in Marrakech

Lonely Planet and the Daily Express have voted Morocco as a perfect destination for the month of May. Their Darling buds of May selections urges travellers to visit in the spring. The Kingdom of Morocco made it to the listing thanks to its “ideal temperature”, marvelous landscapes and flower festival. Marrakech hovers in the high 20°C […]

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From the moment you step off the plane you are immersed in the beauty and wonder of Marrakech. The heat of the desert sun greets you warmly like an old friend as you disembark from your flight. The cool slick interior of the brand new airport terminal greets you and ‘wows’ you with stunning architecture. The […]

Marrakech dance event

There are always wonderful cultural events to enjoy when visiting Morocco. This dance event fuses world dance in a contemporary context and will be held at 8.30 pm on March 2nd 2017 at Dar Atakafa in Marrakech. BLASMIA a contemporary dance group invites you to discover and interact with tribal forms of dance from all over the […]

Anniversary in Marrakech

A romantic break is always a winner for anniversaries and it has never been easier to create a magical break in beautiful Marrakech. With short haul flights from so many UK airports, that dream trip to relax and celebrate with a loved one is simple to arrange. Once you land in Marrakech we can arrange a […]

Marrakech; one of the great Imperial Moroccan cities, the fabled red city, the destination of camel trains laden with wares from far afield for over 900 years, the place of inner discovery for the bohemian travellers of the 1960’s. This magical place with a location which is locked in on all sides by the desert once made the […]

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Riad Star is your sanctuary for a three night pamper break.  Just ten minutes walk from the drama and chaos of the Jemaa al Fnaa Square you could hardly believe the oasis of calm provided by the Riad courtyard. Great Value at £249 (Euros 299) per person. Even in winter Marrakech enjoys an average of […]

Moroccan Prayer Beads

Commonly clutched in the weathered hands of the older population of Morocco, the Tasbih (pictured) is the highly significant beaded prayer string of the Muslim population. According to the Prophet, these enable all that follow the Islamic religion to pray, give thanks to Allah and acquire a heavenly place in the after life equally, regardless […]

Maison de Fatima

Entering a Marrakshi household on a non descript Wednesday evening is an experience filled with warmth, welcome and sharing. As the Henna artist and cook of the Henna Café in the north-west of La Medina, Fatima has been a practicing Nquasha (master of an artform) for over 26 years and a producer of local cuisine […]

El Mellah of Marrakech

The name El Mellah is used to indicate the walled districts that the Jewish population inhabited in the imperial cities and some rural areas of Morocco. The Marrakech Mella was adjoined to the palace of Bahia in the south during the Saadien dynasty as further protection for its valued inhabitants who made an important contribution […]

The donkey and cart is a common sight in the medina of Marrakech where the streets are too narrow for truck and vans. These docile and dependable creatures, known as ‘brill’ in arabic are essential to everyday life. A Riad hotel in the Medina is the perfect base from which to explore and experience this […]

Morocco Pottery Marrakech

There are an amazing variety of goods for sale in the Marrakech Souks, take your time to browse and you will find glazed pottery to fit any colour scheme! Our Riads in the Medina provide the perfect base for your holiday or short break in Magical Marrakech. Make contact today.

If you are planning a trip to Morocco don’t forget to book a stay in a Riad! Our Marrakech Riads have been sensitively converted to provide a taste of traditional medina life while providing the modern comforts you would expect in a boutique hotel.  The best of Marrakech and the best of Morocco is on your […]

We are very pleased that Riad Papillon has been selected for inclusion by Chic Retreats the most reliable source for genuinely small boutique and luxury hotels. Chic retreats members are welcome at Riad Papillon and are asked to please show their membership cards on arrival. With only five rooms and a commitment from all our […]