Riad Dar Assiya

"6 rooms | From €150pn It’s hard to stand out in a city with more than a thousand riads, or traditional Moroccan houses, a great many of which have been transformed into hotels or guesthouses. But Dar Assiya is one of the finest in Marrakech, hidden away on a quiet street in the old medina. Intimately sized, with just five rooms, it’s sophisticated and sultry, a jewel of a boutique hotel that’s worth planning an itinerary around. Heavy wooden doors open onto a gorgeous 15th-century courtyard with an ultramarine-tiled reflecting pool and elegant palm trees; like the rest of the building, it’s rich with decorative details, from towering marble pillars and Moorish archways to glowing brass lanterns and glazed zellige tilework. As is standard in riad hotels, the guest rooms and suites are located directly off the central patio; a few are on the ground level, and others are upstairs with balconies overlooking the courtyard. Each is unique and ornately furnished, featuring the house’s original wood-beamed ceilings, huge ornamental mirrors, and traditional artwork that looks like it belongs in a museum. In-room luxuries are plentiful, from Bose speakers and Italian linens to cool stone-lined bathrooms with fragrant candles and fresh flower arrangements. Lavish Moroccan-style breakfasts and afternoon mint tea are served poolside in the courtyard, and on the upper level, a rooftop terrace offers breezy lounge space and colorful sunset views. Relax on a daybed or sip aperitifs under the shade of a white-canopied dining area — Dar Assiya’s rooftop kitchen staff whip up delicious small plates and cocktails on request."