At first, it was a love of golf that made brothers Laurent and Cyril Bernard occasional visitors to Marrakech, but it wasn’t long before a love of Moroccan style made them permanent fixtures. So, fortified with a family inheritance plus a sense of sophistication only hip young Frenchmen seem to possess, the Bernard brothers bought a neglected riad from Marrakech’s influential Tigani family and transformed it into the elegant Riad L’Orangeraie.
Situated in the Mouassine district of the old Medina, a five-minute stroll from the vibrant Djemaa El Fna, the words ‘prime location’ and L’Orangeraie are inseparable. But it’s not just a pretty face in the right place. Inside, this harmonious seven-room townhouse wraps itself gracefully around two expansive patios - one with fountains and aromatic flowers, the other with a mosaic swimming pool and steamy hammam. And, literally topping it off, a dazzling roof terrace with views to the Atlas Mountains. Romantic bliss.
Highs
- Location, location, location - you can’t beat the L’Orangeraie’s position
- Perfect for nipping back to download your parcels and for a post-shop swim
- Cars can stop at the front door, a real rarity in the old medina
- The bedrooms are lovely and the food is incredible
- Very friendly and helpful service from Cyril and his team
Lows
- It gets booked up quickly
- Dinner is only available on request (you need to alert staff you're eating in over breakfast)
- As with all of Marrakech, light sleepers may need to bring ear plugs, but we slept like babies
- Note that credit card payments incur a 4% surcharge
Best time to go
March, April and May are busy months in Marrakech because of Easter and the clement weather. June is fine but it starts getting very warm, and July and August are extremely hot. September is the coolest and most comfortable of the summer months. Christmas is ideal for family or friends who want to hire out the whole riad for the holidays.
Our top tips
Ask to have dinner in one evening, our meal at the riad was better than any food we had out in Marrakech.
Location
Riad L'Orangeraie is in the heart of Marrakech on the Rue Sidi-Yamani in the Mouassine district.
By Air:
Marrakech (10km) is the nearest airport. Click on the links below for a list of airlines.
By Car:
Having the use of a car makes exploring further afield easier although you really won't want to drive around Marrakech at all given the narrow labyrinthine streets - far better to walk and get taxis. See our car rental recommendations if you do decide to rent a car.
Detailed directions will be sent to you once your booking is confirmed.
More on getting to Morocco and getting around.
Airports:
- Marrakech 10.0 km RAK
Other:
- Beach 180.0 km
- Shops 0.5 km
- Restaurant 0.5 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 23 independent reviews from i-escape guests
The service and staff were brilliant. We felt the bathroom in Cinnamon was in need of renovation. We thought Maison Arabe was the best restaurant.
A really beautiful place to arrive: stepping out of the bustle of Marrakech into a glorious whitewashed courtyard with a tall palm soaring above the orange trees. We received a very gracious welcome with mint tea and biscuits. The rooftop terrace is beautiful and everything is tastefully done - a generous arrangement of red roses appeared one morning. Staff are extremely helpful and Cyril the manager makes his presence felt with a dash of French elan. The room (Coriander) with it high ceilings and huge hamman-style tub was spectacular and will be lovely and cool in summer: on an unusually wet day in March it was a little cool but the gorgeous Berber wool blanket was very welcome! Top marks to the staff for their care.
Owners were very helpful and responsive in discussing our visit by email and equally so on arrival. Very friendly welcome and advice and suggestions given daily on activities and bars and cafes. Breakfast and dinner on the roof terrace were delightful. Accommodation and location perfect!
It was a delight to stay at Riad L'Orangeraie. The airport transfers were seamless, all the staff were really friendly, attentive and informative (they booked a hammam for us). The Riad was beautiful and was an oasis of peace, perfectly situated in the Medina.
We stayed in two rooms for four nights over the Christmas holidays. At first glance, we were impressed by the exquisite décor, but what truly blew us away was the genuine care and attention to detail. The manager and staff went above and beyond to ensure we were happy, both within the riad and during our outings.
Their efforts made us feel truly welcome and at home. This is an exceptional place, and we highly recommend it.
Wow! What a gorgeous, special place. Beautiful rooms, charming courtyards, pretty pool and a fabulous rooftop terrace. Cyril and his team were so warm and welcoming and really took time to chat and give advice and help. Our teenage boys enjoyed the football banter and were entertained by the tiny adventures of Valentino the tortoise! Dinner on the roof terrace was perfect- a truly magical setting and delicious salads and tagine. Honestly, we did not want to leave and I am already planning another trip with some girlfriends.
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