Riyad Al Moussika

As the name suggests, Riyad Al Moussika is a feast for the senses. The luxury riad's large, tiled patios resonate with traditional Moroccan music

mixed with birdsong, the splash of ornamental fountains

and the atmospheric call to prayer of Marrakech

's muezzin.

The facilities



The tree-lined Andalusian pool

by the entrance to Riyad Al Moussika is a vestige of the opulence of its original owner, the brutal former pasha of Marrakech

, El Glaoui. Current owner Giovanni Robazza is a far more erudite and affable host and has devoted years to restoring the luxury riad's palatial interiors

and adding the polished service expected by today's pampered traveller plus all the amenities expected from a five-star hotel.

The Riyad Al Moussika's large hammam

has a masseur

(and a masseuse for the ladies) on call, the music room

sports an art deco Pleyel grand piano and there are two roof-terraces

for sun-bathing and candle-lit alfresco dining. Lunch and dinner consists of fine Italian, French and Moroccan dishes

washed down with imported chianti wines

and savoured in the shade of fragrant orange trees

.

The rooms



All six rooms

, which are named after the colour of their interiors, are furnished with tasteful artwork, Egyptian cotton sheets, English lambswool blankets

and satellite TVs. The Green room

is by far the most spectacular as it has its own private terrace

.

Riyad Al Moussika is situated in the ancient medina of Marrakech, just a five minute's walk from place Jemaa El Fna. The property was once the residence of the former Pasha of Marrakech, Thami El Glaoui. It has been refurbished to an extremely high standard with rigorous respect for the Andalusian style, whilst paying great attention to modern accessories in order to obtain the highest levels of comfort.

One of the gates of Riyad Al Moussika opens onto a garden with, among other trees, two centenary cypresses soaring to the sky, a huge bougainvillea climbing across the pergolas, and a swimming pool tiled with a mosaic carpet design. Water falls from a white Carrara marble fountain to the songs of numerous small birds creating an idyllic scenario, in spite of being in the heart of central medina.

All the bedrooms are located on the first floor, each with a bath/shower en suite. Special care has been taken to select all the materials employed; mattresses are made to measure using only material in naturals fibres, (pure wool, cotton, jute), and with very comfortable orthopaedic springs, the pillows and duvets contain white goose down, the covers are pure lambswool in winter and pure cotton in summer, the sheets are pure satin Egyptian cotton and the towels and the bathrobe in ticker cotton sponge.

There is a unique view of the medina and the Atlas Mountains from the two terraces that are sheltered partially with wooden pergolas and surrounded by large terracotta flower vases. Tables, comfortable armchairs with cushions and teak chaises-long allow guests to request breakfast and candle lit dinner on the roof, as well as to sunbathe during the day. On one of the terraces there is a pavilion with Moroccan sofas, cushions and lamps should some of the guests prefer a more intimate space.

Riyad Al Moussika has a large, well equipped kitchen and offers the possibility of having food prepared according to Moroccan, Italian and French recipes by a resident Grand Diploma Cordon Bleu Chef, who has the natural gift to make superb healthy dishes and who will try his very best to please the guests' palate. A large selection of vegetarian dishes are also served on request.