Review

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Vanessa Branson’s ultra-chic Medina riad has fast become one of the most talked-about in Marrakech. Situated at the edge of the Medina, close to the Bab El Ksour, the space has been designed as part family home, part artistic retreat and part commercial business.

The eleven rooms and suites are arranged around a typically elegant courtyard, while elsewhere in the deceptively large building are two heated swimming pools, a massage and hammam centre, a home cinema (with 10-foot screen), an organic garden, kitchen for cooking lessons, and wi-fi internet throughout. The interior is unusual: simple tadelakt rooms painted in turquoise blues, deep reds and simple creams, with assorted decorative features that vary from Murano chandeliers picked up in the Portobello Road to works by acclaimed international artists such as Bridget Riley, Terry Frost and Fiona Rae.

The combination results in a creative and stimulating environment with emphasis on comfort and style, provided by consummate hosts/managers Frederic Scholl and Viviana Gonzalez. Together they have ensured the place a Condé Nast hotlist rating as well as a glut of other well-deserved accolades.

UPDATEA new, large roof terrace opened in August '07 with day beds dotted around for whiling away afternoons.  There is also a 40 ft heated marble pool and massage room and a dedicated area for practising golf with natural turf.

Six new large suites were also unveiled, as was an authentic hamman.  The “Top Suite” (Room 19) includes a private terrace of 700 square ft that has a heated plunge pool with a glass bottom, which sits above the living room.