Riad Wow ★★★★★

On the hunt for an intimate, exclusive destination, I checked into the Riad Wow, which combines the opulent comfort of a five-star hotel with the cosy ambience and attentive service of a guesthouse. The traditional Moroccan design featuring elaborate detailing and ornate decor, and the rich materials and bold colours certainly fulfilled my requirements. Like any traditional riad, the hotel surrounds a central courtyard that offers a tranquil space for guests to escape the busy melee of the medina without leaving the heart of Marrakech. And the hotel could not be more aptly named – there were a number of occasions where I actually said “wow” out loud. The first time? In the lobby, with its traditional tiled floor and quirky lighting. From the outside, the Riad appeared to be a humble, rustic building so typical of Marrakech. But stepping through the doors was like being transported to another time and place completely.

The second time I said “wow” out loud was when I first saw my vast room. Huge chandeliers and Eastern-inspired lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting an ambient glow across my quarters. Shimmering, heavy drapes fell in swathes around the windows, from which desert-bright sunlight flooded in. In front of my large bed there was my private seating area, complete with plush cushions in embellished fabrics, and a low, dark wooden table adorned with authentic Moroccan trinkets. My bathroom, too, was decorative and ornate, with black and white tiling and walls painted the rich red that gives the city its nickname.

I uttered a breathless “wow” when I emerged onto the charming Sky Lounge rooftop terrace. Open to the warm evening, the terrace is airy and light, with white contemporary armchairs in deep leather, and flickering candles standing on ornate iron tables. To top it all off, the views across the surrounding medina and the Atlas Mountains beyond were simply spectacular.

“Wow” moments also occurred in the in-house spa, where I tried a traditional hammam and indulged in the some of the treatments from the spa’s extensive menu. A variety of local-inspired treatments on offer, the spa also features the rustic-inspired interior design characteristic of the hotel. When I was revitalised and rejuvenated by a relaxing massage, it was high time to try the hotel’s restaurant. With a bar and tables in decorative copper, and rich red velvet furnishings, the exclusive dining room evoked charming, typically clichéd images of Arabian Nights. Fortunately, the menu was “wow”, as well, offering an assortment of local dishes combining fresh flavours and heady spices.

Outside the Riad I had plenty of “wow” moments, too; in the sprawling laneways of the medina, down narrow side streets that opened out into colourful, lively souks, and in the squares that served as a stage for performers and artists of every discipline. From snake charmers to story-tellers, and jovial Gnawa musicians to the more gruesome dental practitioners, prepared to be wowed by the sheer variety on offer. The bustling Jemaa El-Fnaa square and the Koutoubia Mosque both elicited unhesitating gasps of wonderment and awe.

The Riad Wow is certainly aptly named. I was on the hunt for an intimate destination that embodied the authentic character of Marrakesh without sacrificing opulent comfort. I found it at the Riad Wow, with its furnishings in rich reds, deep purples and shades of gold, and its charming traditional accents such as the ornate, carved doors and decorative archways. If I had to sum it up in one word? Definitely, “wow”.