After a heady day getting lost in the medina, bartering in the souks and dodging snake charmers, you’ll almost certainly find yourself in need of an escape. And Riad Jaanemen is just the place. As you veer off down a dark alley and enter through a conspicuous side door, you could never imagine that what hides inside could be so beautiful, so peaceful, so zen.
The riad is set around quiet courtyards with exotic plants that shoot up to the heavens. Birds swoop overhead, there’s a dipping pool for cooling off in, and a pair of tortoises (Jaane and Man) roam freely. It all feels very tropical. The courtyards lead to cosy salons, decorated with designer lamps, enormous fireplaces, mirrors and trinkets from around the world. Italian owner Leonardo Giangreco, who used to live here with his family, has style in his genes and clearly spent his time in Marrakech scouring the souks for treasures. His collections decorate the 10 resplendent rooms, each with its own unique design theme. When you tire of wandering the souks, hide away in your chamber with a Moroccan mint tea and a plate of sticky pastries, indulge in the spa, then head up to the roof to loll on the loungers with a mint tea in hand. Divine.
Highs
- Unique, romantic suites with vintage furniture, modern art pieces and marble bathrooms
- The oasis-like courtyards with palms, bamboo and climbing ivy
- Delicious breakfasts that include pancakes and homemade yoghurt; traditional Moroccan dinners are also available on request
- Impeccable service from the staff; the vibe is relaxed and very friendly
- Brilliant location in the heart of the medina, yet tucked away to block out all noise from outside
Lows
- The pool isn’t really for swimming in, more for cooling off toes
- It's a little quiet in the riad for dining in, but this might be a welcome break from the lively restaurants of the medina
- The riad doesn't serve alcohol, so you'll have to head out for a tipple
- Bees were a bit of a nuisance at breakfast, but this is a seasonal issue and staff are working hard to sort the problem
- To maintain an air of romance in the riad, there's a minimum age of 10 years
Best time to go
Our top tips
After a day exploring the souks, stop by Café Arabe for a sundowner. They have the most amazing views over the rooftops of Marrakech, particularly special at sunset. Be sure to book as it can get busy!
- Boutique Riad
- 10 rooms
- Breakfast (+ other meals on request)
- Over 10s only
- Open all year
- Plunge Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
The 10 rooms and suites are evenly split between two riads that seamlessly interconnect. Refreshingly, no two are the same. Our favourite was ground-floor Leale, which is set around its own private courtyard with a trickling fountain. On one side of the courtyard is the bedroom, coloured with splashes of turquoise and royal blue; on the other is the tadelakt bathroom with white marble sinks.
Above this is Partenope, which is owner Leonardo’s favourite room (he always sleeps there when he visits). It has the same layout, with a glass-walled corridor that reveals Leale’s leafy courtyard below, but is decorated with Italian artworks and has a dazzling emerald marble sink.
We stayed next door in Hima, one of the lowest grade rooms, but you’d be hard-pushed to know it. It has a charming hand-painted ceiling, lovely vintage chests and old maps on the walls. Also on this floor are Gemeaux, the red room with space for an extra bed, and Nefelibata, which has an African theme and 2 walk-in dressing rooms.
The other five suites occupy the first floor of the newer riad, situated above the spa and cosy salon, with balconies overlooking the courtyard. They're all luxurious and individually designed, arguably a tad more modern in feel than those in the original riad. Rive Gauche is the largest and has a separate sitting room with two sofabeds.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is impressive - the best we had in Morocco. It starts from a very leisurely 8am and can be served in the courtyard or on the roof terrace. Sip fresh OJ, choose your preferred type of coffee (the perks of having an Italian owner!), and tuck into fresh cakes, toast, fruits, homemade vanilla yoghurt, Moroccan pancakes, and eggs cooked any way.
Other meals are available on request, though you’ll probably find that most guests eat out. If you do want to dine in, let the staff know the day before so that they have time to prepare. We tucked into stuffed aubergine, followed by a fragrant lamb tagine with apricots, and a sticky poached pear with walnuts to finish.
There are loads of restaurants nearby, and the staff will be happy to help with suggestions and bookings. Madeline, the manager, recommended Salama for dinner with a view, or Terrasse des Epices if you don’t want to venture too far. Her favourite place, however, is Comtpoir Darna, which is located a little way out from the centre (you’ll probably need to take a taxi), but is totally worth the trip thanks to the fabulous food, drinks and belly dancing shows.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Dinner by arrangement
- Lunch by arrangement
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Haggle for handmade rugs, leather babouche slippers, pretty lanterns and other traditional handicrafts in the souks. They are a 5-minute walk from the hotel, and Madeline has drawn up a very helpful map that pinpoints what you can buy where
- Have a look inside Dar El Bacha Palace, which is an excellent showcase of ornate Moroccan architecture, with colourful tilework, painted ceilings and orange trees in the courtyard
- Explore the Jewish quarter, which houses El Badi Palace and the Saadian tombs
- Stroll around Majorelle Garden, 2.5 acres of lush tropical foliage that surround a cubist villa with 3 different museums inside
- Go on an excursion to the Atlas Mountains or the desert; in winter you can do a day trip to the ski slopes at Oukaimeden
- Relax at the riad with a massage, hammam or beauty treatment at the spa, a film in the cinema lounge, and a mint tea on the roof terrace
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Spa treatments
- Traditional cultures
- Well being
Kids
Only kids aged 10 and over are allowed in order to preserve the relaxed atmosphere.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Gemeaux and Rive Gauche Suite are recommended for families as they're slightly larger than most of the other rooms and can fit 1 or 2 extra beds respectively.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Riad Jaaneman is located in the medina, close to Dar El Bacha taxi stop and a 10-minute walk north from the main square Jemaa el-Fna
By Air:
Fly into Marrakech airport (5km). From here, take a taxi, or use the hotel's airport transfer service (must be arranged in advance).
By Car:
You really won't want to drive around Marrakech given the narrow labyrinthine streets - far better to walk and get taxis. But if you're planning to explore further afield see our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Marrakech 5.3 km MAR
Other:
- Beach 180.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
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