72 Riad

We liked it well enough when it was just a single small four-bedroom house, but 72 Riad is proof that riad hospitality can scale up without losing its essential charm. In its current incarnation it’s up to 13 rooms, surrounding a pair of central courtyards, tucked into the winding streets in the Marrakech medina. Old-world Moroccan atmosphere is to be expected from a hotel like this, and 72 delivers, to say the least.

More unusual, however, is the subtle undercurrent of contemporary Italian style that runs throughout the hotel. The proprietors are Milanese, and though they’ve decorated the hotel with the utmost respect for the local tradition, their design heritage is visible as well, in the bold colors and thoughtful compositions of the bedrooms and the public spaces alike.

The hotel’s rooftop terrace is one of the medina’s highest, and boasts a 360-degree view of the city and the mountains — an artifact of the original owner’s cozy relationship with the local authorities. It’s a fine place for a sunset drink, or for breakfast, which is served anywhere you like. Meanwhile, for dinner, La Table du Riad is one of Marrakech’s most in-demand reservations. It’s the classic riad hotel experience, down to the last detail — what sets it apart is its exquisite good taste.