Riad 11 Zitoune

Rooms

There are just six equally delightful rooms and suites, each with a tasteful mix of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship and simple yet soulful modern design. Expect white-washed walls, colourful accents, handmade furniture, vibrant fabrics and artworks, and comfortable French-style double beds swathed in high-quality linens and plentiful pillows. The three suites also come with their own private terraces. Bathrooms are decorated with traditional tadelakt plaster and have showers, Egyptian cotton towels and bathrobes, lounging chairs, vanities and toiletries.

All the light-flooded rooms assure ample creature comforts such as air-conditioning, heating, safes and hairdryers. There are no TVs or telephones as the owners want to keep things tech-free (that said, there is free WiFi). The two Junior Suites (Saffron and Pistachio) on the second floor offer the most living space. Each has a French-style double bed, an extra single child’s bed and a furnished terrace that’s the perfect spot for gazing up at the cobalt-blue Marrakech sky.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• WiFi

Eating

The riad has a relaxed eat-where-you-like (and when-you-like) dining policy so meals can be enjoyed in your room, in the courtyard, or on the roof terrace. There’s a huge emphasis on homecooked dishes, all of which are made with locally-sourced fresh ingredients and flavoured with aromatic spices from the souks. Breakfast is a simple but hearty affair with offerings such as fresh-pressed orange juice, homebaked breads, eggs, pancakes, pastries, and a choice of mint tea or excellent coffee.

Return later for sumptuous à la carte lunches and dinners, with menus that pull focus on couscous creations, tagines and oriental salads. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks are also available, and gluten-free, lactose-free and vegetarian meals can be arranged; just ask the staff. For your nightcap, head to the lounge area on the roof terrace.

Features include:

• Children's meals
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Haggle your heart out in the souks and save space in your suitcase for spices, woven carpets, handmade Berber rugs, leather goods, silver jewellery, shisha pipes and all manner of trinkets.
  
• Embrace the chaos of nearby Jemaa el Fna Square, the city’s dazzling centrepiece with a constant stream of fireeaters, snake charmers, jugglers, acrobats, musicians and dancers.
  
• Visit Maison de la Photographie for its eyebrow-arching collection of photos, glass negatives and documents dating from the 1870s to the 1950s. Also spend time at Musée Yves St Laurent, making a beeline for the designer’s studio with its original décor, sketches and swatches.
  
• Owners Alexandra and Ahmed will happily advise on the best sightseeing spots in Marrakech. Private day tours can also be arranged - just ask.
  
• Back at the riad, take a yoga class on the rooftop terrace. Later, ask staff to book you in at the nearby hammam to enjoy a steamy bathing ritual with black soap and a liberal slathering of mud.

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cooking classes
• Shopping / markets
• Yoga

Kids

Kids of all ages are welcome at Riad 11 Zitoune, though there isn’t a huge amount here to keep little ones occupied. However, being just a five-minute walk from the pram-accessible Jemaa el Fna Square is a real plus. The riad offers kids' menus and family rooms, while baby cots and extra beds can be arranged on request. There are also iPads for guest use, and free WiFi everywhere.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Riad 10 is best for families. The Big Family Room can sleep up to 6, with a double bed and two extra large bunk beds that can fit up to 4 kids comfortably. The Family Suite can sleep a family of four in a double bedroom with a double sofabed, but it's a bit snug at full capacity. The Triple Room has a handcrafted 'duplex' bed that a child will enjoy.

In the main building, the two Junior Suites (Saffron and Pistachio) have a double bed separated from the rest of the room by a curtain, a single day bed for a child, and a private furnished terrace. Alternatively, the Green Tea Deluxe Studio and the Ginger Suite can each fit an extra bed or baby cot on request.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 20-minute drive
• Hospital: 10-minute drive
• Supermarket: 5-minute walk

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Riad 11 Zitoune is on Derb Lakhdar in Marrakech's medina. It's a five-minute walk south of Jemaa el Fna Square.

By Air:
Fly into Marrakech Menara (6km), which is served by international and budget airlines.

From the Airport
The riad can arrange an airport transfer (20 mins), or you can take a taxi to Riad Mokha where you’ll be met by the riad guard (it’s a five-minute walk from here).

By Car:
If you want to hire a car (for your travels outside Marrakech), see our car rental recommendations. Note you can't bring cars into the medina.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.