Riads, a Different Accommodation
August 9, 2010
Staying in a riad Morocco is to live and feel as it should: from the inside. These traditional houses are hidden secrets of the Moroccan daily life, their daily rituals and the fragrance of your kitchen. After hundreds of years these houses opened their doors to travelers seeking a different travel experience. Here we tell you …
Riads that serve as tourist accommodations are often located in the historic centers of Morocco, more specifically in the medina of Marrakech, Essaouira and Fez and other cities. They are usually former palaces or private residences that once belonged to the aristocracy, nobility and even the Sultan’s family.
Amid the labyrinthine medina, these residences represent and reflect the wealth and artistic heritage of Morocco. Today, many of these houses have been transformed into luxury inns and boutique hotels inviting travelers to Morocco to have another look.
Sensations of living in the medina
Imagine walking through the bustling medina, where your senses are overwhelmed by the pungent scent of spices, the vibrant colors of the fabrics, the song of inviting traders to pass a riot of energy and the progress of pedestrians involved in routine .
You go through this place and make it to one lane much more calm and residential. There are high walls on both sides and a single door in front of you regular. However, it is a door that hides thousands of secrets and surprises … enter a magical world, a refuge.
Inside Riad
As we enter the Riad you will see a large courtyard of harmonious proportions and all around a palace hidden. The central courtyard is sprinkled with flowers and trees that provide welcome shade.
The sources are prepared and decorated with mosaic designs. You’ll probably find also a great source of water that serves as a pool, also finely decorated with colorful mosaics.
The patio is usually fairly covered by the shadow of the palace around it. The rooms facing the courtyard have windows with wooden edges of intricate designs. Riads respecting traditional Moroccan architecture, covered with terracotta tiles in the form of laminated shells arranged on plaster. The columns supporting the roof are out of Riyadh and galleries are a collection of open-air breaks through to the central courtyard.
Usually it‘s described as luxuriously dark, both the interior and the architecture of a traditional riad is in many ways completely different to a Western home. A marked difference is the use of space: instead of having a single purpose, the rooms are interchangeable and are used for multiple activities.
On the first floor is a communal lounge and living area. The first floor is a reception, open areas to visitors. Already on the second floor are the more personal, the kitchen and the rooms and suites. Almost always there are roofed and open terraces that are frequently used as a second lounge.
Staying at a riad
There are two very common forms of accommodation. On one side, there is the boutique hotels, with houses completely refurbished respecting the original design. These hotels offer all the amenities and are usually labeled with four or five stars. The price per night of such hotels is usually $ 150 and up.
For those who can not afford an accommodation so expensive, they can access the Bed & Breakfast. Rates are a bit more accessible. The service is very good, although the decor and style of the environments is not as neat as a boutique hotel. The price of Bed & Breakfast is usually a 30 percent smaller and even cheaper.
With the growing demand for this type of accommodation began to appear mini Riads. They are smaller houses transformed into hotels that comply with the architecture and design of traditional Riads. In general they are remodeled family homes that have managed to maintain a pleasant central courtyard, some rooms and a traditional atmosphere. The rates for this type of accommodation rarely exceed $ 60 night. You can also access temporary rent a Riad for sharing with friends or family vacation unforgettable Moroccan. Prices and amenities vary widely.
Morocco is one of those destinations that we visit at least once in life and stay in a riad is part of that amazing experience.
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