• Paulina Grabara
• On August 7, 2019

It’s our last destination. The last night in Marrakech. The first thing, what strike the eye in the new riad is different colour scheme. Riad Altair seems to be the most modern while keeping the unusual beauty of traditional Moroccan architecture. 

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Riad is owned by Marie, French, former stewardess of Air France airlines, who got impressed by this place in 2006, when the building was still a private mansion. Marie purchased it, put her heart into the riad and what’s the most important, she transferred the experience of her journeys to create Riad Altair. 

As usual, we begin our stay with mint tea and cookies. The manager shows us the area, popular tourist places on the map and asks if she could give us any other recommendations. She recommends us a vegetarian restaurant – a popular one with delicious food, which we read about on blogs before. She warns us that without a reservation it could be impossible to eat there and she reserves a table for us.

Architecture and design

After entering through a dark small corridor, we enter the internal garden – here are the tables where your breakfast is served. What attracts our attention is a small pool by one of the walls, lined with beautiful aquamarine tiles. 3 gold taps protrude from the tiled wall. The whiteness of the walls contrasts beautifully with the gently pink stone floor, the cool wood of the massive door and the greenery of the trees. White roses on the tables and lanterns add charm. I also like the carpet spread out along the pool – I love Moroccan carpets, especially when used outdoors – for example on patios or corridors.

Riad posiada również dwa tarasy na ostatnich piętrach, z których możemy podziwiać zachwycające panoramiczne widoki „Czerwonego” Miasta, zarówno w dzień, jak i nocą. Znajdziemy tu zarówno stoliki pod daszkiem, dzięki czemu uchronimy się od palącego słońca, jak i łóżka do opalania. 

Rooms

On the ground floor and on the first floor there are 6 rooms in total, which are decorated in a traditional Moroccan style, with multi-colored accents of the region, but without excessive glamour. White, beige and “dirty” reds, browns dominate the interiors. Multi-colored accessories (curtains, rugs, furniture) in the color of “Moroccan spices” break the calm of bright colors. Depending on their needs Guests can choose a comfort double room, a deluxe double room and a standard double room. The window frames and doors are made of light wood, the windows have shutters, and the door is decorated with carved ornaments. Lantern-style lamps add charm and romance.

Food

A delicious breakfast awaits us in the morning: eggs, pies, fruit, yogurt are served on the patio. In the evening we can relax on the terrace with a glass of rose – I have not found any information whether lunch and dinner are prepared on request, but there is probably such a possibility.

Other attractions

The staff at the riad will be happy to help you book appropriate tours around Marrakech and the surrounding area, and also suggest attractions at its partners – guests can go for half-day family cooking and discover the secrets of Moroccan cuisine: learn how to bake bread, cakes, prepare Moroccan salads or tagine.

Another attraction, especially during the hottest season, could be a lazy day and lunch by the pool, among the beautiful greenery – in Dar, just 15 minutes from the center of Marrakech. All attractions are paid extra.

What we like:

• excellent location a few minutes from nearby souks and 10 minutes from Jamaâ El Fna Square
• tasty breakfast
• beautiful architecture and minimalistic decor of the Riad – the most impressive was the patio to me
• amazing view over the city from 2 rooftop terraces
• very helpful manager, which recommended us a great restaurant and booked a table – she was happy to help with everything we needed