Les Jardins de la Koutoubia

A large hotel behind a medina door

Les Jardins de la Koutoubia occupy the walls of the Riad Ouarzazi, a 13th-century residence on Rue de la Koutoubia. From the lane, nothing hints at the size of the house: behind the door open two courtyards, with gardens, fountains and a large heated pool in the middle of the first.

The hotel has 108 rooms, including 30 mini suites, 22 junior suites and 2 royal suites. That size brings what a riad cannot: 24-hour reception and room service, several restaurants, a spa with an indoor pool and meeting rooms. The Koutoubia minaret is 300 m away, Jemaa el-Fna square a few minutes' walk, and the airport about ten minutes by car.

Three cuisines under one roof

The house brings together three cuisines, each in its own setting:

• Les Jardins de Bala, on the third-floor terrace facing the Koutoubia, serve Indian and Asian food; Marie and Bala welcome guests.
• The Moroccan restaurant, hushed and warm, serves the great dishes of Moroccan cuisine from 7.30 to 10.30 pm, with an Andalusian music duo and an oriental dancer.
• Le Relais de Paris, in the garden of the second courtyard, is a French table: wood-grilled entrecôte with its house sauce, or fresh fish.

By the main pool, the Snack Bar Imlil serves drinks and light bites. In the evening the Piano Bar Ouarzazi, near reception, opens from 5 pm to midnight with a pianist; the Sky Bar sits on the roof.

Patio side or facing the Koutoubia

Most rooms open onto a courtyard, and the choice comes down to the view and outdoor space.

• Medina Room (30 m²): view over the old town, seating corner. For a short stay for two, focused on sightseeing.
• Patio Room (35 to 40 m²): on the courtyard, overlooking the pool and gardens.
• Mini Suite (45 to 55 m²): on the garden level, a terrace opening onto the garden; upstairs, a terrace facing the Koutoubia. State your preference when booking.
• Junior Suite (from 70 m²): separate lounge and terrace with Koutoubia views.
• Koutoubia Suite (65 m²): large terrace with fireplace and private direct access to one of the outdoor pools. The best fit for a honeymoon.
• Ouarzazi Suite (100 m²) and Royal Suites (120 m²): large terraces, lounge with fireplace, jacuzzi bath, for a longer stay or a family.

The spa

The spa works with the Japanese brand Shiseido and with treatments by Les Sens de Marrakech, built on traditional Moroccan beauty rituals. It has eight treatment and massage rooms, a relaxation area with herbal teas, a hair salon and a gym. Its heated indoor pool with jacuzzi is reserved for adults aged 16 and over who book a treatment.

Sabaro's view

For whom: travellers who want to stay in the heart of the medina without giving up the services of a large hotel; families who need several rooms or a suite; short city-focused stays.

Strengths: the location, between the Koutoubia and Jemaa el-Fna; three different cuisines; the suites' terraces facing the Koutoubia.

Good to know: with 108 rooms, the atmosphere is that of a hotel, livelier than a riad of a few rooms. The spa pool is only for adults who book a treatment.

Our tip: for two, an upstairs Mini Suite already gives you a terrace facing the Koutoubia; book dinner at Les Jardins de Bala for the terrace at sunset.