DISCOVER LAID-BACK LUXURY
SAKKAN MARRAKECH
THE ESSENCE OF A WARM WELCOME
They say to escape the push and pull of city life, one should head to the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in California or maybe travel to Fiji or Hawaii. All those locations are great, but we would like to suggest another destination that not only provides relaxation but offers travelers an escape.
Marrakech is a vibrant fusion of African, Middle Eastern, and European influences. This ancient city is a pilgrimage-worthy destination for fans of architecture and design, and when it comes to where to stay while in Marrakech, there’s nothing more emblematic than a riad. Traditional Moroccan palaces or houses, riads are most easily identified by the presence of a central, Andalusian-style courtyard flanked on all four sides by multi-story levels. The courtyards usually boast a small garden (“riad” means garden) and are artfully decorated with colorful zellige tiles.
And in all of Marrakech, the only riad that offers an immersive smoldering of laid-back luxury is the one and only Riad Sakkan Riad. Nestled within the city’s trendy Medina district, it’s a reflection of Marrakech’s youthful side—a perfect fusion of contemporary and traditional Moroccan flair. The location features heavy, carved wooden doors and shutters, with remarkable tilework brought up to date in striking juxtaposition to the highly individual, modern stylings that can be found around each corner.
Sakkan centers around two soothing courtyard gardens, one with a heated pool bordered with checkerboard tile and overlooked by skyward-climbing greenery and the other with a babbling fountain and potted palm and banana trees.
Set near the traditional medina Le Jardin Secret, you can find the Museum of Marrakech about five minutes by foot from the traditional hotel. The famous Jemaa el-Fnaa Square is found nearby as well. The Koutoubia Mosque, is an approximately 16-minute walk away.
The hotel features 12 rooms, not too large to capture the atmosphere of a private residence, from the cozy but glam small luxury rooms to the master suite with its bedside fireplace and its freestanding copper bathtub.
All rooms are air conditioned, and some share an adjoining terrace and a balcony. Along with coffee and tea making equipment, they also have free wireless Internet to keep you entertained. With a separate toilet and a bath, the bathrooms are equipped with a hairdryer and bath towels.
The open-air heated pool sits at the core of the riad, in the larger courtyard. This is one of the most enticing spots on the premises and is surrounded by vegetation and climbing plants scaling the lofty walls.
The hotel spa has a hammam with a massage-heavy menu to cater to guests’ R&R needs. There’s no gym on site, but guests can use the rooftop area for yoga practice with the best view in town or the garden’s fountain.
The rooftop houses the restaurant and bar, which serves up magnificent city views of the medina’s many highlights, including the minaret of the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque. Guests are offered a continental breakfast served in the restaurant.