Review

Run by graphic designer Florence and her photographer boyfriend Vincent (both Belgian), Dar Saria is by far the best option for this price range. It was opened in late 2005, freshly converted from the house of a caid, and its sensitive restoration has successfully created an aura of low-key elegance.

There’s no central garden, just a traditional courtyard with a pretty fountain, impressive pillars (‘saria’ means ‘pillar’), whitewashed booths, a cute breakfast area, and a beautiful, sprawling bougainvillea plant that scatters red petals all over the floor like something out of a Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel. The four bedrooms are more contemporary, decorated in chocolates and creams, with Vincent’s own arty canvases on the wall.

The upstairs suites are big and come with fireplaces and salons, while the downstairs rooms are a little pokier. Close to Dar El Bacha (a section of which is soon to be opened as a museum), the Ben Youssef Medersa and the Musée de Marrakech, this is a great option for young, budget-conscious travellers looking for a romantic, low-key base.

UPDATE Feb 07 - please note that Dar Saria has a new phone number.