Riad El Fenn – A One of a Kind Hotel Experience

Riad El Fenn is a luxury Marrakech accommodation that boasts of elegance, cool ambiance, and unbelievable levels of comfort, service, and warmth, as well as a flexibility of choices for its guests. I personally feel that it’s a very special place and is so exceptional that it should very well be kept a secret.

If you take a look at it from the outside, Riad El Fenn looks like a large door in an alleyway. This is typical of the architecture in the Medina area. As soon as you get inside, you would be greeted with an oasis of color with remarkable designs incorporating water features, palm groves, large peaceful courtyards and little secret nooks that are ideal for some quiet time.

El Fenn certainly is a place of substance and style, yet nevertheless the affluence of quality modern paintings are everywhere with skillful touches and little details that surely cannot escape the eye. Take the floor for instance; it is made not from tiles or wood but from real hide. Even with all these elements of wealth and luxury, it still remains intimate and cozy.

I found out that Riad El Fenn used to be a town house and was originally built like a fortress. Its ancient walls are over a meter thick which is why all the sounds of the hustle and bustle of the Medina is muted and leaves you to enjoy a place of tranquility, beauty and peace. This could also be attributed in part to the hospitality of the husband-and-wife team of Frederic Scholl and Viviana Gonzalez who runs the Riad and whose welcome is as warm as the local weather.

The suite they gave was just perfect! It was huge and had outstanding Wi-Fi. I was amazed with the great collection of books to read and a suitably comfortable bed. It is such a consolation to sleep well every night being in a strange place. You would be surprised that there is no TV or DVD in El Fenn, which is something most of us would usually require. There is however, a cinema room that has a well equipped theater system and an extensive selection of DVDs for you to enjoy.

There is this particular service that they have which I think sets them apart from any other Riad. A tray is placed outside your room in as early as 7:30. In it is a flask of tea and coffee and some pastries. I have travelled all over the world and I would say I have never experienced such thoughtfulness anywhere.

For breakfast, Riad El Fenn treated us to a delicious bowl of their home made porridge, fresh toasted bread, home made yogurt and a variety of fruits. It is just so much pleasure eating breakfast on the roof terrace which is also where they serve their exquisite evening meals. It is a fact that Riad El Fenn serves better food compared to many of the restaurants in the Medina. Their chef is truly talented!

In the afternoon, El Fenn serves you delightfully fresh cakes and pastries with mint tea, or any tea of your choice. While sampling all these, you would enjoy watching the tortoises saunter around. It is just perfect!