marakesh | Marrakech Riad

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Marrakech Riad Reservations + 44 (0) 207 570 0336 Diplomatic Representation French Consulate +212 05 24 38 82 00 British Consulate +212 05 24 43 60 78 Medical Assistance Poison Control Centre +212 05 37 68 64 64 Radiology Centre South +212 05 24 44 79 99 Clinic IBN Toufail 121 […]

Perfect Venue for Marrakech Yoga Retreats

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 […]

Moroccan fashion designer Noureddine Amir

Noureddine Amir is a fashion designer from Morocco. Born in Rabat he studied in a French fashion school which was briefly open in Morocco. His studio is called Villa Amir and is in Marrakech. The space is filled with wooden mannequins adorned with raffia and clay. what sets Noureddine apart from many Moroccan fashion designers […]

What our guests say about a stay 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 […]

Josephine Baker in Morocco

Ahmed Belbachir Haskouri (1908–1962) was a powerful member of the royal court of Morocco during the protectorate period. He was a prominent figure in Spanish Moroccan history. He was also a great friend of Josephine Baker. Josephine often stopped to visit him in Tetouan, a small coastal town in the North of Morocco when she […]

Yves St Laurent museum wins architectural accolade

The newly built Yves St Laurent fashion museum in Marrakech has been named by the Architectural Digest as one of the most influential buildings of 2017. The new museum displays fashion pieces created by the iconic fashion designer who loved Marrakech. Designed by the French architecture firm headed by Olivier Marty and Karl Fournier, the […]

Moroccan Dance and Folklore – Guedra

Guedra represents several aspects of a form of dance which is particular to Southern Morocco, Mauritania and Algeria. The primary meaning of Guedra is cooking pot, when this pot is covered with a stretched leather skin to create a drum, the drum is also known as Guedra. When the drummer plays a beat representing a […]

Morocco is officially the Spa capital of Africa

Morocco won the award for the best spa destination in Africa for the second consecutive year, at a ceremony recently held in Vietnam. The kingdom has won the “Africa’s Best Spa Destination 2017” Award, due to its spas, thermal centres, and modern luxury facilities, which offer a wide range of body treatments and massages. The […]

Early film footage of Josephine Baker in Paris

Josephine Baker strutting her stuff. The lady really could dance…………Wild moves from our favourite entertainer. This clip is from La Revue Des Revues. Paris in 1927. (Not the original sound.) Riad Star the former home of Josephine Baker in Marrakech, and now a luxurious boutique guesthouse. With suites dedicated to the star herself. Come and […]

Josephine Baker reported as safe in the New York Times on the 6th December 1942

There was much speculation regarding the fate of Josephine Baker, some feared and reported the worst. The New York Times ran an article on December 6 th 1942 declaring that Josephine was safe and living in Marrakech. “JOSEPHINE IS SAFE” “Negro dancer reported dead is living in Morocco. Casablanca Morocco Dec 5th Josephine Baker, the […]

A recipe from Marrakech Riad cookery school – Olive Tapanade

Our cookery school ethos at Marrakech Riad is really simple, Keep it fresh and keep it healthy! For our tapenade recipe the first step is to visit the local market to buy today’s best ingredients. Then we can begin to cook a delicious meal! 1 cup/200 grams black cured olives 2 tablespoons capers (rinsed and […]

Embrace the wonders of exploring Marrakech

There are those of us who love to explore the world, who seek places where our senses can be filled with wonder. Places where we can delight in the richness and differences of cultures and cities. Those of us who yearn to widen our life experiences of the world. If you are this person we […]

Josephine Baker in Marrakech

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, […]

Immerse yourself in the culture of Marrakech

We all have different motivations to travel, and we all have different styles of doing so. To take a break from daily routine, to relax, to experience something new, to learn, to challenge our understandings of other places and other cultures, to step outside our daily norms and broaden our awareness of the world and […]

Marrakech Riad are proud to sponsor TEDx Marrakech 2017

Marrakech Riad are thrilled to be sponsoring TEDxMarrakesh for the third time. This year the theme will be “Tribes & Trolls”, focusing on digitalization and how our lives are impacted by social media, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, block chain, bitcoins and psycho-graphics. Where are we standing now and even more important – where are we […]

Traditional Moroccan Cookies

Ghoriba Bahla cookies are traditional or beldi biscuits, usually enjoyed with mint tea. At a glance, the recipe and the process of making these delicious treats is seemingly very simple. I can assure you that it takes practice to perfect the flavour, consistency and technique! In this article, our friend is making a batch of […]

The Dyers souk of Marrakech

Make your way through the open arch portal beside the historic Mouassine fountain, and you will find yourself inside Sebbaghine, Marrakech’s vibrant Souk des teinturiers. (Dyers Souk) If you have a passion for textiles, an eye for colour, or an interest in all things artisanal; then you will certainly enjoy a look at the dyers […]

Yves St Laurent and Pierre Berge in Marrakech

Sadly the great Pierre Berge passed away on the 8th September 2017, he will be sadly missed in Marrakech. In 1966 Yves St Laurent and Pierre Berge were visiting Marrakech. They were enthralled by the contrasts and the views of the Atlas Mountains. It was on this visit that they purchased their first Moroccan home. […]

Josephine Baker in Marrakech

Josephine Baker stayed in Casablanca for medical treatment following a prolonged illness. During her time in hospital in Casablanca she was visited regularly by the Pacha of Marrakech; Thami El Glaoui. Their close relationship was well known, and it was also rumoured that she had miscarried his child, leading to her illness and spell in hospital. […]

Oldest Homo sapiens bones ever – found 100km from Marrakech

Fossils recovered from an old mine on a desolate mountain in Morocco have rocked one of the most enduring foundations of the human story: that Homo sapiens arose in a cradle of humankind in East Africa 200,000 years ago. Archaeologists unearthed the bones of at least five people at Jebel Irhoud, a former barite mine […]

Iftar – a special meal for Ramadan

Iftar or Ftour is the shared meal eaten at sunset during Ramadan to break the fasting of the day. Muslims break their fast at the time of the call to prayer for the evening prayer. Iftar is often done as a community, with people gathering to break their fast together. Iftar is taken around sunset. Feeding others […]

Josephine Baker in Paris – The early days.

“The grinning, wide eyed woman exploded into energy just barely contained by skin and a human form. Every part of her seemed to go in a different direction, flung from some central volcano of spirit. She made faces and flailed about. She shook her rear end, then drew it in and strutted in place. The […]

Exhibition – A Spring in the High Atlas

The museum of Mouassine is housed in a house from the 17-18th century. The space is used to show exhibitions of the arts of Morocco.From the 15th of May until the 15th of June 2017 there will be an exhibition titled “A spring in the High Atlas.” Showcasing Precious Berber textiles from the High Atlas. […]

Visiting Morocco in the month of May

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 […]

A star is born! Josephine Baker arrives in France, to captivate the Paris club scene.

On September 15th 1925 two dozen black musicians, singers and dancers sailed for France on the SS Berengaria. The ship arrived in France 7 days later. This was the start of Josephine Baker’s epic career. Rehearsals for the first shows began immediately, and it was clear from the first days that Josephine Baker would soon […]

Menara Airport in Marrakech a beautiful new terminal unveiled.

King Mohammed VI inaugurated, in December 2016, the new terminal of the Marrakech-Menara airport, an additional asset to enhance the city’s attractiveness to international visitors. This large-scale project, worth 1.22 billion dirhams, is an implementation of the royal instructions seeking to offer the city of Marrakech a modern airport infrastructure meeting international standards to manage […]

Josephine Baker – The world’s best dressed Woman- Jet Magazine, November 29, 1951

In November 1951 Josephine Baker graced the cover of Jet Magazine. She is given the accolade of the World’s best dressed woman, with claims of a value of $250,000 for her wardrobe. Whether or not this claim regarding the astronomical value of her clothes is accurate, we do know that Josephine loved to dress up. […]