The noise fades away as we step through the rustic door at the end of a narrow alley in the chaotic labyrinth that is Marrakech’s medina. More a private residence than a hotel, Riad Tarabel is a magically romantic blend of Moorish architecture, French colonial style and contemporary touches.
Generously built around three courtyards, with 10 airy rooms and suites, this adults-only haven is the epitome of subtle sophistication: lush palm leaves, ornate shutters, sleek rattan furniture, wooden ceiling fans, large comfy sofas and candle-lit nooks, dotted with nostalgic globetrotter curios reminiscent of a bygone era.
Delicious traditional Moroccan dishes are served on the huge sun-flooded roof terrace. And, at the touch of the button, the huge gold-framed mirror in the courtyard silently glides open to reveal the riad’s killer feature: a glorious hammam & spa. The serenity is only occasionally interrupted by the gentle splash of someone gliding into the pool, the gurgling sound of our sweet Moroccan mint tea being poured, or the muezzin’s hypnotic call to prayer in the far distance. This is a fabulous place for an escape à deux, or a very civilised house party.
Highs
- Incredibly elegant décor with lush touches that create a blissfully tranquil vibe
- Attentive, friendly staff. Every interaction is light-hearted and fun
- So cosy. We arrived to a warm pool, roaring fire and toasty suite
- The sublime in-house hammam & spa Les Bains de Tarabel
- Guest mobiles with pre-programmed essential numbers (so the team can rescue you and your newly purchased Berber rugs if you get lost in the souks)
Lows
- The steep, winding staircases to the rooms on the first floor (and the roof terrace) have no railings and can be a bit precarious for the elderly or unsure-footed
- There’s no bar, but your G&T is only a quick call away on your pre-programmed guest mobile
- Expensive, but worth the splurge
Best time to go
March-April and October-November are the most pleasant months with warm sunny days and cool nights. Summer can be uncomfortably hot.
Make sure you check Ramadan dates before you book.
Make sure you check Ramadan dates before you book.
Our top tips
No trip to Marrakech is complete without a trip to a hammam, and having one in-house is a real treat. Book for late afternoon; perfect after a day of haggling your way through souk-frenzy.
Note, animal lovers might find the lack of animal welfare distressing (snakes, macaques and horses in Djemaa el Fna, and donkeys around the souks).
Note, animal lovers might find the lack of animal welfare distressing (snakes, macaques and horses in Djemaa el Fna, and donkeys around the souks).
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Riad Tarabel is a tranquil oasis in the bustle of Marrakech. The staff could not be more welcoming, helpful and friendly but also respectful. I would thoroughly recommend this Riad to anyone (be aware they do not take children). Thank you for a wonderful stay - we will be back!
Riad Tarabel is very very tastefully decorated (it's beautiful!) and it was amazingly peaceful considering we were in the middle of the medina. Genuinely like walking into another world when you enter their main courtyard.
We stayed in the smallest room-type as it was the only one available but it was still very comfortable. Breakfast was great and service always very fast. Laura in particular went above and beyond to make sure our stay was enjoyable.
One nice surprise is that Tarabel offers a Marrakech mobile phone for its guests to use. We actually ended up using this when we were trying to meet up with a friend so that was extremely helpful. I highly recommend Tarabel for anyone looking to stay in a riad but wanting a more peaceful experience.
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape