Riad Abracadabra

Riad Abracadabra is located inside the old walls that surround Marrakech's Medina, where the charm of the past prevails in every detail, and is only a five minute walk from the burning Jemaa el Fna square. Two Catalans, Inés and Bruno, cousins and partners in this adventure, bought this classic Riad, previously a former small mansion palace called Derkaoui that used to belong to an aristocratic Moroccan family.

After two years of restoration and using autochthonous materials such as the tadelakt (polished handcrafted cement), the zellij of Fez or the bejmat (baked clay) they opened Riad Abracadabra to the public in June 2009. This traditional house has been adapted to meet the current needs of the traveller, and to make this exclusive hotel a unique and truly pleasant place to stay.

It comes with 8 rooms, each one with its own personality, which make this charming hotel as close to a familiar dwelling as possible. Here the ravages of modern living are yet to be felt and the local life is perceived in its entire simple charm. Its strong facade isolates the chaotic hustle of the human tide and the cocktail of fragrances and spices that exhale the souks of the Medina.

The interior is an oasis of tranquillity and subtlety and the aroma of rose petals is all pervading. The colours, textures and fragrances of the Islamic world prevail in the central patio that serves as a distributor.

Long ago, this was once the area of social and family life, the so called Mrah, which preserves a wonderful mosaic made with zellij of Fez and a central fountain that radiates peace to the rest of the house with the sound of water.

The rooms are located on two floors, and each one is different. They can accommodate two, three and four persons, with lounge, dressing room and library. The main materials are common to all however: original partitions of tadelakt, bereber carpets and windows with Mozarabic gratings.

A judicious combination of Moroccan tradition and colonial comfort combined with immaculate white surroundings. On the roof terrace, open to the sky, there is a spacious area with hammocks and armchairs, a bar which serves various cocktails, and tables to have breakfast at whilst the city wakes up. It is the place to enjoy a swim in the pool, to watch the sunset, drink a mint tea or to sunbathe on the relaxing-beds overlooking the rooftops of Marrakech, the minarets and the snowy peaks of the Atlas mountain range.