Riad Dar Dialkoum

Marrakech Riads

by jlynyc about Dar Dialkoum

We spent our first night in Marrakech at Dar Dialkoum and it was absolutely lovely. I only wish we had more time there. Prices were reasonable (69 euro) and the riad is located just within the medina walls in the Bab Doukkala section. The riad does offer transportation from the airport (an additional 15 euro, but well worth it), which I highly suggest, as I don't know how we would have found the riad otherwise! Mohamed met us at the medina gate and walked us the short distance to the riad, tucked in a quiet alleyway. There is a small wading pool and a beautiful courtyard, as well as several sitting rooms on the first and second floors. The roof terrace is also quite nice. We were offered peanuts and red wine while we relaxed in the courtyard and Mohamed provided us a map of the medina. It was about a 25-30 minute walk to the Koutoubia mosque/Jemma el F'na. The route there was quite direct as you follow the streets from the riad to the small square where the local school is. You then make a right through the car park, follow the street past the palace and just follow the walls until you see the Koutoubia mosque on your right. Don't know if you'd be able to do this immediately on your own - we hired a city guide (through the riad for 150 dirham) who pointed the directions out to us and we were able to find our own way.

The rooms are clean, beautifully decorated, the bathroom was huge and hot water was plentiful. The staff was extremely accommodating and practically anything you wished for could be arranged. We stayed in the Yasmina room which overlooked the courtyard.

The riad is located very close to the main bus terminal, which was the main reason we chose to stay in this area, as we needed to catch a bus to Ouarzazate the next morning.

Loads of places

by littlebush about See below

Local food is very nice, although i did get food poisoning on our trekkin trip.
Try the stew - called a Tajine - very very yummy. couscous is very big in morocco although im not a great fan. also many soups are nice, sometimes spicy. Also kebabs.
You can basics like Pizza and chips, there also a big french influence, ir-croissants for breaky.
The street vednors are great for a good feed at a very cheap price, around 60dh for 2 to be full.

We ate at:

Street vendors on Djemaa el fna - numbers 15 and number 1. Both were great, and came to about 70dh for 2, inclduing main meal, salad and bread.

Cafe N'Zaha - good for breaky-croissant and bread and cheese and tea and orange jucie for just 15dh, just off the main square.

Cafe Glacier-right on the square with a great balcony for a great view to people watch. a pizza here is from 25-40dh, although thin, very tasty.

An Oasis Of Calm in the Madness

by 43beckos

The Majorelle Gardens ( also known as the Yves St Laurent gardens) were built in the 1930's by the French artist Jacques Majorelle and opened to the public in the 1947.

The gardens form an oasis of calm and an explosion of colour ( especially the blue which has become known as Majorelle blue ), with plants that vary from bamboo ( which unfortunately some vistors have seen fit to carve their names into), to giant cactus, which form beautiful backdrops to the carp pool, lilly ponds and fountains that grace the gardens.

To the North end of the garden is Majorelles old studio. This building, again painted in the Majorelle blue, is now a museum for islamic art.

Yves San Laurent and his partner Piere Berge bought the gardens after Majorelles death, when it was rumoured that the gardens were to be bulldozed to make way for an apartment block. YSL still owns the Villa Oasis which can be seen from the petrol station adjacent to the gardens.

This place is definitely worth a visit, just to marvel at the colours and sit and take some respite from hot and manic Marrakech

It is worth noting that unaccompanied children and picnics are banned from the gardens.

Entry fee is 30DHS (about £2.00)

Merdessa Ben Youssef, Rooms

by diageva

The students rooms of Merdessa Ben Youssef are so simple but so beautiful ... there are few types. The ones that have a window to the patio, that where soupouse to be for the more rich students, the others with no windows and otheres with windows to the street. They used to be for two students each, and use to have doors with wooden little windows ... so beautiful ...

Around Marrakech

by girladventure

"La Koutoubia"

The City's principal landmark. The red stone mosque was first built in 1147, but demolished and rebuilt in 1199 because it was not correctly aligned with Mecca. The mosque, basically a massive prayer hall, has 17 aisles and 112 columns, and room for thousands to pray within it. The ornately carved minbar (pulpit) is believed to have been a gift from the Almoravid Sultan Ali ben Youssef. The landmark minaret is 221ft (69m) high and consists of six chambers one atop the other, ascended by a ramp through which the muezzin ascends to the top balcony. The mosque is closed to non-Muslims, but the area around is a favourite place for an evening stroll.

"Menara Gardens (Built in the 12th Century)"

The most famous photographed settings of Morocco--with its backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. Many Marrakechis come here to relax and take a break from the Moroccan sun. Today the gardens are open to the public but were historically enjoyed only by the sultans.

"Avenue Allal ElFassy"

The streets of Marrakech

"Public toilet"

Some of the restaurants in Morocco still has this primitive toilet setting.

"The Narrow alleyways of the medina"

It's like entering a labyrinth and you will wish you had brought a ball of string.

"Rooftop in the medina"

View of the snowcapped Atlas Mountain