…we have to talk !

Well then, let’s have a chat.

I’ll assure you straight away, this isn’t about yet another riad/guest house Marrakech… That’s enough, stop laughing! Yes, it’s true that you can’t even count how many there are anymore… Well, let’s not get off topic, it’ll be the subject of another post soon sure enough. This time I’m writing to shine a light on a beautiful house, one that doesn’t make a song and a dance, which offers sincere, high quality experiences, impeccable cleanliness and is run by people who genuinely look after you.

So what makes it so special? Well, I’ll tell you.

The Riad has one bedroom on the ground floor and three suites on the first floor. It has a large patio magnificently surrounded by trees in the middle of the house and with a little plunge pool, which is very agreeable during hot spells. An enclosed living/dining room, with fireplace, is also situated on the edge of the patio.

On exiting the lift on the first floor (no, I’m kidding, you’ve got to go up on foot guys, with good, proper steps which, at least, are large and practical, which is not always the case in lots of riad Marrakech) you arrive at a ‘bhou’ (an open living space) with access to the three suites on the first floor.

Still taking the same ‘lift’, the sun welcomes you to the second floor as you arrive on to the terrace, facing fully south! It’s also the ‘garden’ of the house as it is largely taken up with plants, flowers, shrubs, etc which gives this relaxing space a delightful continuity with the lower floors. Don’t worry, there’s also a ‘lazy’ corner with well arranged deck chairs, perfect for sun bathing!

So who makes it so special? Well, I’ll tell you.

It’s your mother! No, of course not your real mother…and in fact this one won’t ever tell you to take your elbows off the table. This mama is Habiba, the woman responsible for the house.

Habiba lives in the house and ensures everyone receives first class attention. Always ready to listen, she will know for sure how to meet your every wish, and if you are also looking for a good cook, you can’t do better than Habiba. She will show you the thousand and one facets of Moroccan cuisine, you’ll be ready to burst by the end! Well, bursting is an option, but it’s more expensive…. If you’re looking for a good home cooking experience better than any restaurant Marrakech, this is it!

Habiba also offers Moroccan cooking classes that she teaches with an abundance of passion and love. The classes mix humour, anecdotes and amazing picturesque situations. She will take you on a discovery of the Mellah market to do the daily shopping (not at all typical, let’s say), an experience that will leave indelible traces, and not just on your cooking bench, also provided for the class. Fun and great atmosphere 100% guaranteed.

During the reservation phase (well, for those who are looking for quality accommodation Marrakech of course, and if I’ve convinced you) I will be looking after the message service myself on the Riad Anabel website so you’ll be guaranteed a response in less than 24 hours.

And for those who are really lazy, there’s even the option of phoning, 24 hours a day…or almost!

See you very soon!

Emmanuel

Riad Anabel

8, Derb Jdid – Riad Zitoun Lakdim
40000 Marrakech – Morocco
Phone : 00 212 672 046 910
Web : www.riadanabel.com
E-mail: contact@riadanabel.com

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Riad Eden in Marrakech…a premiere…the curtain is lifting:

First act: A magic moment, you enter in our humble abode, slipping in to a sumptuous harmony of colours, delicately burning incense bringing a delicious and energising perfume to your nose. The patio opens out before you, decorated with tropical plants, exotic flowers, all marrying perfectly with the warm colours of the walls of the house. Soft and melodious music caresses your ears and accompanies your steps as you drift inevitably towards the salon and its comfortable sofas…

Second act: ‘What an idiot, the laundry man has wrinkled the sheets again…’, Helene has just opened the laundry bag chucked roughly on the doorstep by the careless but innocent delivery man…

Welcome to our place…and above all welcome to your place! You’ll see, you feel good here. Some people even flop straight on to the couch and order a beer…yes, yes, that’s possible!

Unfortunately it’s after that things are ruined…Don’t panic, nothing bad is going to happen to you, it’s just me arriving to meet you and there you have it, end of the peaceful silence… Long story short, some people do say that if I was paid by the word then I would be dining far more often with Bill Gates… but you shouldn’t believe everything people say…it’s not true…Well, ok, I admit that I talk a little more than average, but it’s really just the time to enjoy a little glass of nice Moroccan wine on the terrace with you and to introduce you to this ‘other world’ and provide a road map for you!

Perhaps we should add this in to the terms and conditions when booking but well, for the moment I prefer to keep it a nice surprise…

Third act: Now that you’re safely in the house it’s out of the question that we just drop you. So, from time to time, to be certain that your current B&B Marrakech is the best in the world, we’ll chat with you and attempt to offer advice and recommendations for good things to see/places to visit in the Red City and its surroundings, and all the excursions you can undertake in Morocco. After all, you want to make the most of your time!

Final act: The blog you’re reading already has lots of good basic information to get you started organising your trip, and the official website of your favourite Riad Marrakech also has plenty of practical information Marrakech that will help lighten the work…and perhaps even your suitcases…

All right, the scene is set! It’s not by Roger Hart, the costumers aren’t by Donald Cardwell, and the direction is entirely our own. We hope that this little piece of theatre will convince you of our enthusiasm for Morocco (an extraordinary country), for Marrakech (a magical city) and for our little Riad Eden (the most beautiful riad in the world…the universe…and its surroundings, natch!).

See you very soon,

Emmanuel

PS : For your accommodation Marrakech don’t hesitate to book your room through contacting us directly!

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Good, it’s all decided; off to Morocco for the holidays!
Ok…but where will we stay?

Normally this is where you start to get a headache because as soon as you cheerfully sit down at your computer and open a search engine looking for accommodation Morocco dozens of pages of results pop up….Ppppffff…..

“Honey, can you please bring me another beer, I think this is going to take much longer than anticipated!”

But you know what? I’m going to give you a hand…

Firstly, it’s important to know what category of accommodation you’d like:

Marrakech hotels in the “Tour Operator” style :

Very numerous, location is essential when it comes to choosing these hotels. In order of preference I would look for one in the Medina first, as it will be the most practical, then in the Hivernage, Gueliz and Agdal, and last of all the Palmeraie. Booking through the hotel’s own website is certainly the best option as you will usually find better prices that way. I can’t talk about comfort, ratings, or service quality, purely about location, so make sure to check carefully the address of any hotel like this, and don’thesitate to read some reviews about hotel marrakech as other travelers comments are very helpful while choosing.

Marrakech guest house hotels :

During the 30s, and in the decades that followed, lots of little ‘guest house hotels’ were built, and are principally found in the Gueliz district. At a very affordable price (generally around 15-40 euros), these hotels have a very typical Moroccan flavour, very much in the art-deco style and are usually in buildings that wanted to be part of ‘contemporary Marrakech’. This type of hotel Marrakech can sometimes surprise you, is often pretty kitsch, and can be perfunctory in terms of comfort, but is undeniably familial.

A Riad in the Marrakech medina :

Lots has already been said and written about the typical Marrakech riad as the ideal of the classic Moroccan abode. In any case, as you are looking for a proper riad Marrakech, I will insist on one very important point: don’t believe anyone who tries to sell you a ‘traditional’riad outside of the media…it’s a crock! Only choose a riad where the owners are present. It will not absolutely guarantee you an ideal or unforgettable visit but if you need anything, urgently or not, inside the house or outside, the majority of owners will do their utmost to host, guide or help during your stay. It’s much easier for them to do this if they’re on site!

Private villas outside the medina :

Since the end of the 90s, as the red city has become one of the most popular destinations for Europeans, and even for those coming from the major cities in Morocco, a large number of private villas have been built and, with time, have transformed in to upmarket guest house Marrakech. Indeed, whether it’s on the road to Ourika, Ouarzazate or, and above all, in the famous Palmeraie, these luxurious villas now offer a hotel experience that rivals many of the most beautiful hotels in Marrakech.

For me and traveling with kids, even if the hotel Marrakech are very good place to stay because of all the entertainements you can have in there, i definitely vote for a nice riad Marrakech…and further…Riad Eden…why not  ?

Emmanuel

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I was looking for a nice place to spend the day and a friend told me “go check out the Marigha Oliveraie!”

Well then, off we go…Joe!

So Helene and I set off with the kids in our little Citroen Berlingo (What? The Berlingo; it’s great, mate!) and after an hour’s drive (Marrakech-Tahanaoute-Asni plus 7 kms further, but there are signs…clever of the owners!) we arrived at a magnificent site, easy to get to, green, with a welcome gentle breeze, a beautiful pool and a large terrace scattered with tables all ready for lunch.

Celine and Gaetan, the owners, met us in person, a very welcoming arrival!

So far so good, Massoud.

We settled in and quickly ordered a well deserved aperitif (with alcohol!) while we proceeded to take to the water (in the pool I mean, there was already water in the Pastis…) to work up an appetite. After our two little darlings had completely embarrassed us by making a thunderous racket we slunk over to the tables to eat. And we made the right decision! The Marigha Oliveraie revealed itself to be a very good restautant Marrakech. It has a good set menu for 200 Dirhams per person and well paced service; we all ate well… Adele.

We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the sun, with a bit of swimming and a small glass of rosė from time to time, nicely chilled in an ice bucket (et oui Mosieur!). The children quickly made friends; there was a lot of playing and yelling and by the end of the day we no longer had the sense that we were there on our own…Joan.

All up we spent a very nice day at the Marigha Oliveraie, B&B Marrakech, thank you to Gaetan and Celine for a wonderful time, around that beautiful pool : Cool…

Best wishes from Marrakech and I’ll stop with the rhymes, any time!

Emmanuel

Oliveraie de Marigha
Route d’Amizmiz – Asni
Marrakesh
Phone: 00 212 524 484 281 – Mobile : 00 212 661 310 482
www.oliveraie-de-marigha.com
oliveraiedemarigha@ymail.com

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