Detailed Review
Riad Farnatchi has been created out of three small Riads in the heart of the oldest part of Marrakech. The current owner, a retired award winning British hotelier, spent two years converting it into a holiday home for his family. He only decided to change it to it's current use when approached by the ex manager of one of Marrakech's most respected hotels. Lynn suggested that it would fill the gap at the very top of the Riad market in the Medina of Marrakech
Riad Farnatchi now has the feel of a beautiful, highly individual, private house but the facilities of a world class 5 star boutique hotel.
We believe that the first duty of any hotelier is to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests. Riad Farnatchi has been totally rebuilt incorporating modern wiring, smoke detectors and heavy quality room doors. The furniture, whilst fabulously designed, is also comfortable- possibly a first amongst Riads in the Medina! The bedrooms have adjustable lighting that can be both romantic and practical rather than one or the other.
The public areas on the ground floor are a collection of traditionally proportioned rooms and B'hous (covered sitting areas with one side open to an internal courtyard) that allow guests to either meet together in groups or to find their own private corner. In addition, every room has at least one private sitting area. Quite uniquely, almost every piece of furniture has been specially designed and made for Riad Farnatchi in Marrakech.
The style reflects a fascinating fusion of traditional Moroccan and modern European design. It is unmistakably Moroccan and exotic whilst being supremely comfortable and practical.
Press Quotes
“Nothing is too much trouble (for the staff), whether you want a balloon trip over the desert or a roof-top dinner a deux.” The Telegraph 07
“Its five large suites shriek luxury — rain showers, flat screens, all topped off with super-slick service.” The Times 06
Independent Reviews
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"Stylish and super-luxe riad blending innovative and traditional design from award-winning British hotelier"
The Farnatchi has long been among TI's top recommendations in Marrakech. It's beautifully positioned in the Medina, with luxurious and imaginative rooms and superlative service.
Riad Farnatchi
By Joanna Monkhouse
Riad Farnatchi may well be the most luxurious riad in Marrakech. It certainly has the highest pedigree. Owned and designed by a renowned British hotelier, Jonathan Wix (the man behind the triumphant renovation of Paris La Tremoille, The Scotsman in Edinburgh and 42 The Calls in Leeds), Riad Farnatchi was intended to be his private retreat, conceived as a holiday house for friends and family. The decision to run it as a riad came with the addition of Lynn to the scene, one of the most able managers (if not the most) of Marrakechs luxury hotels, with her years of Relais&Chateaux experience. Together their perfectionism could have been frightening but the relaxed attitude ensures the atmosphere is that of a private house, albeit with 5 star service.
The riad is located in the oldest area of the medina near the Ben Youssef Medersa and just around the corner from the hip restaurant Foundouk. Two years of total renovation have transformed three riads (traditional Moroccan houses built around an internal courtyard) into a house of only 5 suites, complimented by various salons and bhous (niches off the courtyards filled with sofas calling out to be sat on), a dining room, a hammam, extensive roof terraces and an emerald green pool. All the furniture has been specifically designed for Riad Farnatchi, and made in Morocco to the highest specifications. Stylish and spacious, each room is unique but all share the luxurious sparseness of Wixs signature Despite the sleek modernity of the dcor, the overall feel is still very Moroccan, and much more so than one would imagine from the photos. Carved plasterwork 400 years old, the retention of the traditional layout of the rooms and the majesty of the architecture are difficult to downplay.
The dcor is sometimes surprising rough Moroccan fabrics out of kilter with the sleekness of the silks, well-chosen rugs and local art but this is part of the charm of the place and the individuality of the choices make Riad Farnatchi feel more like a home than a hotel. Very pared down compared to some Marrakech riads, the riad is light and airy, an abundance of white walls and pale floors with bright splashes of strong colour in each of the rooms. Unusual again is high level of safety features, standard in hotels but conspicuously absent from most riad conversions.
The beds are very comfortable and very, very big. There are no twin beds as Riad Farnatchi was designed as a private house, so this is a riad really more suited to couples than friends, yet the enormous beds allow plenty of room even for two reluctant to share. Each suite has a comfortable salon area that really is made for relaxing. Carefully concealed, Riad Farnatchis suites boast every modern amenity tv, dvd, cd, telephone, internet points, hidden air conditioning and proper central heating (because it can get cold in Marrakech). All except one also have stylish fireplaces, each individually designed to be a feature in that particular room. If there is no minibar that is because you need only call and your drink will arrive with Moroccan pastries or pre-dinner canaps depending on the hour.
Each suite has a sumptuous ensuite bathroom with deep marble baths and dousing showers with almost every Molton Brown product ever produced on hand.
Every afternoon from 4 to 7 the white marble hammam is at the disposal of guests, where Kenza is available for treatments gommage, massage using argan oil, argile and ghasoul prepared the traditional Moroccan way using natural ingredients.
The pool half sunken and half raised is a soothing green presence in the first courtyard, and all day the calming sound of water falls from the fountain at one end. Heated in winter, refreshing in summer, a powerful underwater jet stream means that despite its 7m length you really can swim.
Riad Farnatchis capable Berber cook can prepare Moroccan cuisine for lunch and dinner on demand, but notice is needed a few hours in advance so that the fresh ingredients can be bought at the market. For European fare, an arrangement with a local restaurant is in place for home delivery of the highest calibre. A traditional breakfast is served either in your room, on your balcony, in the bhou by the pool or under the clear blue sky next to the majorelle blue walls of the roof terraces, where there is also a barbecue for relaxed evenings. Everything possible is made in house, from the Berber bread to the homemade jam (for example orange-cinnamon, carrot-lemon, kiwi-mint or strawberry-rose), a pot of which may be offered to especially appreciative guests as a mouth-watering reminder of their time at Riad Farnatchi.
The rates at Riad Farnatchi may be high but they include many extras a djellaba and babouches for use in the house (to protect the delicate dess floors) and to take home, airport transfers, extensive breakfasts, mint tea and coffee throughout the day and of course the excellent attention to detail. Service is attentive but unobtrusive, though you may have to go looking or call for someone that is preferable to having someone hanging around unnecessarily. Lynns years in Marrakech have given her a thorough knowledge of what the city and surrounds have to offer and she is adept at recommending and securing reservations for restaurants, trips, guides, yoga, and any other adventures you may choose to challenge her with!
Riad Farnatchi is not children friendly, unless they are impeccably behaved (as certified by someone other than their parents!) and only if the entire house is rented. Originally designed for house parties, this riad is ideal for renting in its entirety for a luxurious holiday or sumptuous celebration. But it is also an intimate retreat for couples, and with its high space to guest ratio you will still think you have the whole house to yourselves.
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