Escape to Paradise: Marrakech Riad with Rooftop Terrace & Spa!
Escape to Paradise: Marrakech Riad with Rooftop Terrace & Spa!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a Marrakech Riad dream – Escape to Paradise! Let's see if it actually lives up to the name, shall we? Prepare for a rollercoaster of opinions, because that's how I roll.
First Impressions & The Arrival Chaos (A Little Messy, Let's Be Honest)
Right off the bat, "Escape to Paradise" sounds a bit…cliched. But hey, Marrakech is the kind of place that does cliche beautifully. The actual building? Stunning, in that traditional Moroccan way. Think intricately carved wood, vibrant tiles, a central courtyard that whispers of tranquility…or at least, could whisper of tranquility if you hadn't just wrestled your luggage through the bustling medina. (Getting there? Good luck. Prepare to embrace the chaos, the scooters, and the persistent vendors. It's part of the charm, they say. I'm learning to agree.)
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (and I need a nap after thinking about this)
Okay, this is where things get real. Real, and a little… concerning for some travelers. Wheelchair accessible? Well, the website says "facilities for disabled guests," but I suspect that's a very broad interpretation. Think narrow doorways, uneven floors, and a general lack of elevators (yes, there is an elevator but it's not clear on the website). I'd definitely contact them directly to confirm the specifics before booking if accessibility is a major concern. Transparency, people! Elevator: "Yeah, we have one!" is not the same as "This whole place is built around ease of use for those with mobility challenges."
The Internet Saga (A Cry for Help…and More Data)
Internet Access: Yes! (Eventually!) they have it. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Halleluiah! Internet [LAN]: They claim to, but I spent half a day wrestling with the port. Internet services: Standard stuff. Wi-Fi in public areas: it's available, sure, but the signal strength…let's just say I got very acquainted with the courtyard. The struggle is real, folks. At least you can post on your Instagram the gorgeous scenery to your friends to get jealous about the amazing trip you are having.
Cleanliness & Safety (Thank God, I need assurance during these times)
This is where things really shine. Hygiene certification? Check! Anti-viral cleaning products? Double check! Daily disinfection in common areas? You betcha. Rooms sanitized between stays? Absolutely. They're taking this seriously, and it shows. I felt safe, which is a huge relief in the current climate. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Masks? The staff were consistently wearing them. Safe dining setup? Yes, very well-organized. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter? Mostly. Staff trained in safety protocol? Definitely. Room sanitization opt-out available? Probably.
The Food: A Culinary Adventure (Sometimes Delicious, Sometimes…Less So)
- Restaurants: Yes, plural! Okay, so it's really just one main restaurant, but the variety…wow.
- Asian Cuisine in restaurant? Surprisingly good.
- International cuisine in restaurant? Yup.
- Vegetarian restaurant? Nope. But there's plenty of vegetarian options.
- Western cuisine in restaurant? Sure.
- Desserts in restaurant: YES! The dates, the pastries…oh, the pastries.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Essential!
- Breakfast [buffet]: Good, varied.
- Breakfast service: Yes, even in your room
- Room service [24-hour]: Lifesaver.
- A la carte in restaurant: Available.
- Bottle of water: Always.
- Snack bar: Useful.
- Salad in restaurant: Yup.
- Soup in restaurant: Yes, tasty.
- Alternative meal arrangement: They are flexible.
- Food delivery: Not from the Riad, but plenty of options in the area.
Okay, the food. It's a mixed bag, to be honest. The breakfasts? Fantastic. I devoured the pastries and fresh fruit. Divine! The dinner, though? Hit or miss. One night, the tagine was perfection. The next night, it was… well, let's just say it wasn't winning any awards. But the staff are lovely, and the setting is beautiful, so it's not the end of the world. The coffee shop is actually quite good too. Especially after having a long day.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Ah, the Good Stuff…)
Okay, this is where "Escape to Paradise" really delivers.
- Spa: Gorgeous. Just gorgeous.
- Massage: They offer different types of massage, and everyone that I talked to, seemed to agree that it was fantastic.
- Body scrub: This is the main activity for relaxing, it does help a lot to get rid of stress.
- Body wrap: Also good.
- Pool with view: The rooftop pool is the place.
- Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: all available.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: yes! In the courtyard and the rooftop!
Let me tell you about the pool with a view. This is where it all comes together. Picture it: you, lounging on a sunbed, a mint tea in hand, the Atlas Mountains in the distance, the smells of the medina rising up to meet you, all the sounds of distant calls to prayer, a hot sun beating down, and the wind in your hair. The pool itself is gorgeous, clean, and surprisingly refreshing. That's how you "escape." I spent a whole afternoon there reading, swimming, and just… existing. Pure bliss. This is worth the price of admission alone.
Rooms: The Details (Small but Crucial)
- Air conditioning: Essential! The heat is intense.
- Bathrobes: Nice touch.
- Bathrooms: They're beautiful, and they have the all important hot water.
- Bedding: Comfy.
- Coffee/tea maker: Check.
- Daily housekeeping: Spotless.
- Free bottled water: Always appreciated.
- Hair dryer: Yup.
- In-room safe box: Important.
- Laptop workspace: Kinda. Not ideal, but usable.
- Mini bar: Good selection.
- Non-smoking: Yup.
- Seating area: Yes, great for relaxing.
- Shower: Good water pressure.
- Toiletries: Decent quality.
- Wi-Fi [free]: (When it works!).
- Additional toilet: (Not in all rooms, check at reservation)
- Blackout curtains: (Really helpful!)
The rooms themselves are lovely…traditionally decorated, comfortable and well-appointed. Again, nothing groundbreaking, but pleasant. The blackout curtains are a lifesaver in a city that’s always bright. My only real gripe? The internet. I mentioned this before. It can be awful.
Services & Conveniences: Everything You Need (and a Few You Didn't Know You Wanted)
- Concierge: Super helpful, especially with navigating the medina.
- Cash withdrawal: Easy access to ATMs.
- Currency exchange: Convenient.
- Daily housekeeping: Excellent.
- Doorman: Yes, very welcoming.
- Elevator: Yes, but not to the full extent of the building.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Be sure to ask!
- Ironing service: Available.
- Laundry service: Efficient.
- Luggage storage: Helpful for early arrivals/late departures.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: If you want to hold a meeting here.
- Safety deposit boxes: In rooms.
- Smoking area: Yes.
- Terrace: Beautiful.
- Airport transfer: They arrange it, but it's not cheap.
- Car park [on-site]: Limited, and a bit chaotic.
- Taxi service: Readily available.
- Valet parking: They did not offer valet parking.
- Babysitting service: They do offer it.
- Family/child friendly: Kind of..
For the Kids:
- Kids facilities Not the main focus of the Riad, but they are not unwelcoming to kids.
- Babysitting service: Available.
- Kids meal: Available.
The concierge was an absolute godsend. They arranged everything from airport transfers to a cooking class (which, by the way, was incredible). The staff, in general, are friendly and helpful.
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer: Recommended!
- Taxi service: Always available.
Okay, buckle up buttercups. Here's my attempt at a utterly chaotic, beautifully flawed, and hopefully hilarious itinerary for a stay at Riad Alice Terrasse et Spa in Marrakech. Consider this less a schedule, and more a… a suggestion with a whole lotta me thrown in.
Marrakech: The (Possibly Unhinged) Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Déjà Vu of a Million Scents
Morning (Bleary-Eyed Arrival):
- Touchdown in Marrakech. Ugh, the flight. Never again will I book an aisle seat. That bladder situation… a nightmare. Taxi ride to the Riad. You know that feeling? Like you're in a movie you've seen a hundred times? The chaos, the scooters, the dusty pink buildings? Marrakech. It’s everywhere.
- Riad Alice - The Glimmer of Promise: Found the place! After getting lost in the medina (naturally), and questioning my life choices, I finally clambered over the threshold and into a courtyard that actually made me exhale. It's… a good start. The air smells of orange blossom and something deliciously, vaguely spicy. (Seriously, why doesn’t someone bottle that smell? I’d bathe in it.)
- The Room of Dreams (Maybe): Room check. Okay, wow. Looks like the photos. My own private little oasis. I immediately want to dive into the bed; I'll save that for later.
Afternoon (Medina Mayhem - Level One):
- First foray into the Medina: Armed with a vague map and a desperate hope of not getting kidnapped, I plunge into the souks. It's sensory overload, which is great because I need to be thoroughly overwhelmed. Carpets, spices, silver lamps, and snakes trying to eat the flute player? It's like a living, breathing (and slightly suffocating) dream.
- The Bargaining Battle: Ah, the art of the deal. I want a leather pouf so badly that I almost start crying when the first vendor quotes me a price that feels like my mortgage. I manage to haggle slightly better, but still ended up paying double what I should have. Live & learn, right? Right?!
- Late Afternoon Snack - Tagine Tryst: Found a rooftop cafe. Ordered tagine. It arrived, steaming and fragrant. The taste? Heaven. I'm going to live here, I decide, right now.
- Regret and Realisation: As the sun begins to set, I wandered among the Djemaa el-Fna. I will not lie, I was not prepared for the chaos. The storytellers, the snake charmers, the people and the lights - it was amazing and overwhelming and I immediately grabbed my wallet and ran away. Maybe tomorrow.
Evening (Riad Relaxation & Spa Bliss - IF I Can Find It):
- Riad Alice - The Return: Wobbly legs lead me back to the Riad. Ah, sweet, sweet refuge.
- Spa Time! (Or So I Thought.) Pre-planned spa treatment. Deep tissue massage to melt away the stress. I was picturing peaceful bliss. Reality: a series of odd clicks and cracking sounds from my muscles. (The masseuse, bless her heart, had the strength of ten men which I wasn't truly prepared for.)
- Dinner at the Riad: Okay, the food is amazing again. Definitely going to stay here after all. Chatting with other guests, but I'm too jet-lagged to form complete sentences.
- Nightcap & Existential Realization: Sitting on the terrace, under the stars, sipping mint tea. Realizing I'm incredibly happy, but also a tiny bit terrified of what the rest of the trip holds. Also, will I ever find the actual perfect pouf?
- Fall asleep.
Day 2: Colors, Ceramics & Camel (Maybe Not)
Morning (Wake-Up & Wander):
- Breakfast on the Terrace: More fruit, pastries, and the divine coffee. I vow to learn the secret of Moroccan coffee.
- Jardin Majorelle - The Blue Invasion: This place. This place. This is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. The intense blue… it's like being inside a painting. I spent a ridiculously long time just wandering around, taking a million photos (that still don't do it justice).
- The Yves Saint Laurent Museum: Fascinating, but honestly, I was still reeling from the blue. Beautiful clothes. Beautiful museum.
Afternoon (Crafts, Chaos, and Potential Disasters):
- Ceramic Shopping - The Obsession Begins: The shops in this area are beautiful. I want all of the ceramics, I just do.
- Lunch - The Food Court: Had a light lunch: salads and sandwiches. I did not fall ill. A win.
- The camel ride! Or not? Okay, so the camel ride situation. I was supposed to go on one. But I heard through the grapevine that the camels weren't always treated so well, so I skipped it. I feel bad, but I'm also, you know, human.
- Back To the Riad - Chill out. Read. Reflect: Time to rest.
Evening (Medina Madness Round Two!)
- Dinner, but not before…: I found a shop, and I went in. And I said, "I must get that pouf!" I did not get it. Sigh.
- Djemaa el-Fna, Take Two: Prepared this time, I managed to take some fun pictures. The sounds, smells, the pulsing life of this square, it's like a cultural Rorschach test!
Day 3: Hammam, Hopes & Heading Home (Maybe)
Morning (Cleansing & Contemplation):
- Traditional Hammam Experience: Okay. This. Was. Intense. I was scrubbed, slapped, and steamed until I felt like a peeled grape. But… when I came out? SILKY. So clean. So… reborn?
- Souk, Take Three: Last day for pouf, so I must go back.
Afternoon (Souk Strikes, Saffron Shakedowns, and a Sudden Trip to Somewhere Else):
- More shopping (for poufs or no poufs).
- Lunch - More food, more culture.
- The Unexpected: I got chatting to a couple who were talking about an amazing oasis just outside of town. Their story, the way they spoke about the place, just seduced me.
- Goodbye, Marrakech? I'm leaving the city. A tiny bit. But still! A new adventure!
Evening:
- A car ride to an oasis some three hours out. Who knows what to expect!
Day 4 (or more): Returning to the Riad and Marrakech
- Returning to Riad Alice: The call of the Riad was great, and I made my way back.
- Departure (The Bitter-Sweet Goodbye):
- Taxi to the airport.
- Goodbye, Marrakech (for now)!
- Reflecting on memories, with my newly purchased pouf in tow.
- I'm sure I'll be back, and if I'm not, wherever I go, it'll be better than great!
Note: This itinerary is a living document, subject to extreme deviations based on mood, weather, the availability of mint tea, and my general level of impulsiveness.
P.S. Bring comfortable shoes. And a very, very open mind. And maybe some extra cash. You'll need both.
Uncover the Hidden Gem of Théza: La Catalane Awaits!
Okay, so... "Escape to Paradise: Marrakech Riad with Rooftop Terrace & Spa"? Seriously? Is it *actually* paradise? Because, let's be honest, travel brochures LIE.
Alright, alright, settle down. Paradise is a BIG word, isn't it? I went in half-expecting a slightly glorified hostel. I mean, Marrakech? Instagram gold, sure, but also known for... *ahem*... a certain level of organized chaos. So, the **verdict?** It's...close. Like, *really* close.
The riad itself? Stunning. Seriously, picture this: you wander through these unassuming, dusty alleyways – think *Indiana Jones* chasing something vaguely important – and then, BOOM. Intricate tilework, a courtyard fountain tinkling away like a tiny, optimistic orchestra. And the *smell*! Incense, spices, a hint of orange blossom… it hits you the second you walk through the door. I swear, I almost cried from the sheer beauty overload. And the rooftop? Don't even get me STARTED. Picture this: me, a total klutz, managing to navigate the stairs without faceplanting (a personal victory!), and BAM. The Atlas Mountains looming, the call to prayer echoing across the city, and me... sipping mint tea, utterly and completely *done*. In a good way. Like, "I could stay here forever" kind of done.
Riad, Riad, Riad. What *is* a riad, anyway? And why should I care?
Okay, non-initiated, let's get you cultured. A riad is basically a traditional Moroccan house or palace. They're characterized by their inward-facing design, usually with a central courtyard. Think: privacy and a little slice of heaven away from the bustling souks. Why should *you* care? Because it's WAY more atmospheric than your standard hotel room.
I'm talking authentic experience. Forget the sterile hotel chains. You're getting to experience the *soul* of Marrakech. You’re sleeping amongst intricate mosaic tiles, drinking tea on a rooftop under a starry sky, and feeling a world away from... well, *everything*. The riad I stayed in had this tiny little courtyard, and every morning I'd swear I could hear the birds chirping a little chorus just for me. Okay, maybe it was just a particularly tenacious pigeon, but still. The *vibe*, people, the *vibe*!
Rooftop Terrace? Sounds lovely. What’s the catch? Is it just a glorified fire escape?
Right. The rooftop. The stuff of Instagram dreams, yes. But also, let’s be real, potentially a death trap depending on the maintenance. Thankfully, this one was *not* a death trap.
It was, in fact, gorgeous. Cushy seating, those metalwork tables you see everywhere, and, crucially, a view to die for. The Atlas Mountains, a hazy purple in the distance, a sea of terracotta rooftops. The catch? Well, the stairs. They were *steep*. I'm talking, "hold onto your hat and pray you don't tumble" steep. And the sun! Marrakech sun is a force of nature. So, bring sunscreen, a hat, and your wits about you. But the view alone is worth the climb (and the potential sunburn/tumble). And the feeling of being up high, breathing in the air, and feeling completely, utterly… *free*? Priceless. Honestly, I spent half my time up there, just... *staring*. It sounds a bit pathetic, but it was genuinely mesmerizing. I even saw the sunrise. Okay, I woke up accidentally but still, it was *amazing*.
Spa? Okay, spill the tea. What's the spa situation like? Any good?
SPA. *Ahhhhh*. Okay, deep breaths. I’m a sucker for a good spa. And this one… this one was *something*.
It wasn't some chrome-and-glass affair. This was authentic, Moroccan spa-ing. Dimly lit, perfumed with heady scents, all stone and serenity. The treatments were… intense. I opted for a traditional hammam experience (a steam bath, scrub, and massage). Let me tell you, being vigorously scrubbed down by a woman wielding a kessa glove is an experience. I emerged feeling like a completely new… person. A slightly redder, slightly more fragrant person, but a new person nonetheless. The massage? Bliss. Utter, unadulterated bliss. I think I actually drooled. Don't judge me! After a day roaming the souks, haggling with vendors, and dodging scooters, it was the *perfect* antidote. Seriously, I don't think my body has ever felt so relaxed. Just... be prepared to let your inhibitions go. And maybe, just maybe, invest in some decent moisturizer afterwards. My skin drank it up like a desert traveler after a long thirst.
Haggling in the Souks – HELP! Am I going to be ripped off? Any tips for a clueless tourist?
Okay. The souks. Where the fun *truly* begins. And the potential for feeling like a complete idiot? Also begins. Yes, you're going to be haggled with. Expect it. Embrace it. It's part of the experience.
My top tip? Start low. *Really* low. Like, insultingly low. Then, meet them in the middle. But don't be afraid to walk away! Seriously. They'll often call you back. It's all a game! I learned the hard way, overpaying for a rather fetching (but ultimately unnecessary) pair of leather slippers. But hey, at least they're comfortable. Other advice: Wear comfortable shoes. Drink plenty of water. Don't be afraid to get lost. And SMILE! A friendly demeanor goes a long way. Oh, and learn a few basic Arabic phrases. Even a simple "Shukran" (thank you) can work wonders. And be prepared for the sheer sensory overload. The smells, the colors, the sheer *volume* of everything... it's all a bit overwhelming at first. But that's part of the magic. It's a total bazaar adventure, in the best possible way.
Food. TELL ME ABOUT THE FOOD! Will I spend my entire trip glued to the toilet?
Okay, food. The single best reason to go to Marrakech. And the potential for tummy troubles? A valid concern.
I was paranoid. *So* paranoid. I researched every restaurant, read every review, and still – I expected the worst. Turns out, I was mostly fine! (Phew!) The food? Incredible! Tagines, couscous, fresh bread, mint tea… I could go on. The riad, thankfully, had a fantastic restaurant. I ate their tagine every night. No regrets. Seriously, it was THAT good. The secret, as far as I can tell, is to be cautious, but not *too* paranoid. Drink bottled water. Avoid dodgy-looking street vendors (unless you REALLY trust your stomach). And listen to your gut (literally!). And if you *do* get a tummy ache? Well, there's always a pharmacy nearby. But honestly? The flavors, the spices... it’s worth any potential risks. Just… maybe pack some Immodium, you know, just in case.
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