Riad Antara

Style

Down with the dynasty

Setting

Red city riad

Riad Antara has all the foundations of a soulful souk-side stay. This peaceful pad – run by warm and welcoming owners Anne and Laurent (themselves reason enough to write home) – was once a Saadian residence, and much of the artisanal authenticity remains, with the addition of carefully curated art and modern touches. The solar-heated pool and traditional hammam will look particularly inviting after a day of medina mooching; as will a sundowner on the dusk-drenched terrace.

Facilities

Rooms

Seven spacious suites.

Checkout

10am, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 3pm.

More Details

Rates include a bountiful breakfast. Start the day on the sun-soaked rooftop with a diffa of Moroccan brioche, French pancakes, fresh fruits and homemade orange blossom yogurt, plus dairy- and gluten-free options.

Free Internet Access

Laundry

Pool

On-Site Restaurant

Spa

At the Hotel

Indoor pool, rooftop, spa with hammam, two patios, restaurant. In rooms: WiFi, smart TV, safe, heated floors in bathroom, bottled water, Nectarome products. Three of the suites are kitted out with fireplaces.

Our Favourite Rooms

All seven suites are tastefully decorated, but we love the ground-floor Abla suite with it’s fireplace and floor pouffes. Those wanting a view of the action might opt for the Beni Abs suite – its indoor terrace looks down to the swimming pool.

Poolside

Palm trees, pouffes and a floor-to-ceiling mirror (positioned to reflect the riad, not your face mid-front crawl) border Antara’s small, solar-heated pool. Despite its size you can still get your laps in, thanks to its counter-current swimming technology.

Spa

Relax travel-tired muscles in the two-person hammam, a traditional Arab escape from the medina melee. There’s a treatment room for traditional hot-stone and herbal massages, too.

Packing Tips

More is more in Marrakech, so bring your loudest fits to compete with the medina mania.

Children

Over-sixes are welcome; extra beds can be set up in some rooms (for an additional cost), babysitting is available on request (for an extra fee) and the restaurant is happy to adapt menus to suit little Smiths.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Bag a table on the pastel-pink rooftop at sunset and watch the terracotta roofs of Marrakech turn a rich red hue.

Dress Code

Slippers to dinner is allowed when in Morocco.

Hotel Restaurant

The hearty, savoury-sweet cuisine of Morocco meets a dash of French flair in Riad Antara’s restaurant. There’s no set menu – instead, a visit to the market (and the preferences of patrons) define the dishes of the day. Expect home cooked sardine meatball tagine, steaming plates of Moroccan vegetables and perfectly poached pears. There’s a great selection of local wine and fresh teas, too.

Last Orders

Breakfast is served from 8–11am; lunch and dinner are arranged on request, 24 hours in advance. Dinner is typically served around 8pm, but the hotel can be flexible depending on when you prefer to dine.

Planes

Marrakech airport is just 15 minutes away. Contact the hotel to arrange your transfer.

Automobiles

There’s a carpark just down the road from the riad – let the hotel know in advance and they’ll greet you there.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Dodge donkey carts as you explore the looping derbs of the medina, just steps from Riad Antara’s salmon-coloured walls, and aim for Aya’s to get your hands on some traditional Moroccan clothing. For green space, take to Jardin Majorelle’s wonderland of canopies, cacti gardens and candy-coloured pathways (but head in as early as you can to avoid the crowds). Don’t forget that you’re just on the edge of the Sahara – sort a sandy day trip with Dunes & Desert. Or let off some hot air with a balloon ride over Morocco – Ciel d’afrique will take you to the skies for excellent views over mountains, gorges, deserts and Berber villages.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .