Riad Vivre

Style

Regal but relaxed riad

Setting

Medina solitude

At private, exclusive-use Riad Vivre, a 20-foot-high waterfall cascades melodiously into the courtyard’s plunge pool in purposeful contrast to the explosion of noise and colour of Marrakech’s souks. The scents of bougainvillea and jasmine drift in the air, and palm trees reach past ornate ebony balustrades towards the open sky from enormous vases. The decor is understated, with unfussy mosaics, creamy Tadelakt walls and teardrop-shaped brass lamps made by local artisans. What sets it apart is the whole place is yours (well, you and your family or friends) to set up residence on the rooftop terrace from sunrise to sunset, or gather by the fireplace in the lounge downstairs for cosy evenings.

Facilities

Rooms

Riad Vivre is a private residence that accommodates up to 10 people. There are three double rooms as well as a master bedroom with a copper bathtub. The lounge seating area can also be converted for sleeping, and has an en-suite bathroom.

Checkout

11am but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 2pm.

More Details

Rates include a daily breakfast of Moroccan breads and crepes, fruit salad and scrambled eggs or omelette cooked to order, as well as jams, juices, teas and coffees. There’s a minimum stay of three nights at the riad.

Free Internet Access

Pool

On-Site Restaurant

At the Hotel

Fully equipped kitchen, fireplace, Wi-Fi, Nespresso coffee machine, Sonos sound system. In rooms: air conditioning, bathroom with rainfall shower and toiletries.

Our Favourite Rooms

The riad’s sense of unfussy grandeur continues to bedrooms, where brass lamps hang from high ceilings, creamy berber-style rugs lie atop tiled floors and comfy leather pouffes flank beds draped in locally handwoven white cotton blankets. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms with smart brass fittings and walk-in rainfall showers, but it’s the huge master bedroom – with its fabulous freestanding copper bathtub – that will have whoever is first through the door calling dibs and plonking their suitcase on the bed.

Poolside

The babbling waters of the courtyard pool may send you into a spontaneous siesta in this most serene of spaces. Or head skywards, where the rooftop plunge pool, warmed by the morning sun, is a fine place to relax with a mint tea, or a mojito.

Spa

The riad partners with nearby Les Bains de Tarabel, where traditional Moroccan hammam rituals and a range of massages and facials are available.

Packing Tips

Stash a copy of Peter Mayne’s evocative 1950s journal A Year in Marrakech for whiling away days by the courtyard pool. The strategy board game Azul, with its Moroccan-style mosaic tiles, would also be a fun option for long candlelit evenings with friends on the rooftop.

Also

The fully equipped kitchen means you can unleash your meanest tagine-cooking skills on unsuspecting friends and family. Alternatively, remain horizontal by the pool and hire a chef to come over and do the hard work for you.

Children

Riad Vivre welcomes over-twos.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Hotel Restaurant

There’s no restaurant in the riad, but a kitchen is provided and it is possible to book a chef to come in and cook for you.

Planes

The riad is a 20-minute drive from Marrakech Menara Airport.

Trains

Reliable services in and out of Marrakech railway station connect the city to Casablanca, Fez, Rabat and more.

Automobiles

Hire cars are available, but driving is not really recommended due to the frequently heavy traffic around the city centre.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Every visitor to Marrakech should experience the carnival atmosphere of Djemaa El Fna at least once. The sprawling main square is a sensory explosion of sounds, smells and sights. Expect to see belly dancers, snake charmers and fire breathers, while heady aromas of spice and incense drift (often visibly) on the breeze and market traders vie to make themselves heard over booming calls to prayer.

Escape into the surrounding souks where haggling is practically an olympic sport. Here, in narrow lanes jam-packed with spices, Berber rugs, sparkling jewels and a gazillion other trinkets, even the coolest customer is seduced by the salesmanship (and afternoon heat), and exits triumphantly brandishing fistfuls of saffron and brightly coloured scarves.

Marrakech has some fine gardens for post-souk decompression. Among them, cacti-crammed Jardin Majorelle surrounds an eye-popping electric-blue villa that was once home to Yves Saint Laurent. Oasis-like water features dot these lush gardens, which are home to towering palms, prickly pears and other showstopping succulents. Tickets start from 120 dirhams for access to the garden only; combi tickets add one or both museums.

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. .