Riad Karmela Princesse: a Luxury Riad steps away from Spice Square in Marrakech.
As you stroll through Riad Karmela Princesse’s corridors, cool patterned tiles, Mashrabiya latticework, mirrors, and white wrought iron balustrades guide the way, leading you to individually styled themed rooms and suites that fuse time-honored craftsmanship with modern amenities. You can relax after a day of sightseeing with a massage or hammam, take a dip in the hotel swimming pool, partake in a yoga session or cookery course, or relax in the Andalusian-style gardens and patios peppered with lush greenery.
Every detail in Riad Karmela Princesse is planned to ensure your experience is one to remember. From à la carte breakfasts to Moroccan and International dishes freshly prepared with organic produce from local markets or homemade products. But it’s the little touches that get you. The poetry verse left daily on your pillow, gazelle horn pastry treats offered daily, and terraces that allow you to admire the sun as it sets over ochre-colored ramparts.
What we liked the most
- Individually styled rooms which each have their own unique story and theme
- The beautiful terrace from where you can watch the sunrise or sunset.
- Great location in Medina Azbetz, 5 minutes walk to the famous spice square.
- Home-made food products and organic menu ingredients ethically sourced from nearby markets.
- An atmospheric swimming pool surrounded by candlelit lanterns.
Rooms Overview
The 10 rooms and suites of Riad Karmela Princesse are individually themed, timeless, decorated in rich colours of precious gemstones. The artwork is a blend of local artefacts collected from markets and paintings by locals and interior designer Marie Lloret.
Laine Emeraude
The Laine Emerade Suite incorporates a wool theme with delightful Moroccan Boucherouite rag rugs lining the walls, rich colours and stucco walls.
There are two family suite options: the first with interconnecting bedrooms and one shared bathroom, the second two separate bedrooms with two en-suite bathrooms, adjoined by a private corridor.
Cuir Mauresque
This charming Family Suite with its Mezzeh is located above the pool patio dining room, separated into two individual rooms adjoined by a private passageway. The main bedroom is adorned in leather and bronze, with khaki and cream fabrics to bring the outdoors inside and old-fashioned trunks and leather suitcases have been transformed into bedside tables.
Aigue Marine
The Aigue Marine suite is a veritable feast of white, silver and blue with Scottish tartan soft furnishings and a bathroom tiled in hues of azure blue. It can be booked in conjunction with the “Cuir Mauresque” suite to create a family suite or can be reserved separately.
Caftan d’or
Located on the ground floor the Caftan d’or bedroom opens onto the pretty garden patio. The double bedroom has a mezzanine with gold forged iron railings and a single bed. The foundations are covered in the fabric of kaftans, embroidered in russet, green, yellow and purple which gives the room a warm feel.
Clair de Lune
This suite opening to the patio garden embodies a lunar ambience in shades of white, with latticework, arches and plaster sculptures. Wooden lamps, small armchairs and ornate tables punctuate the space whilst soft leather slippers dot the walls. This room transports you to a time gone by, where elegance and simplicity sit hand in hand.
Coquelicot
The thread of this suite takes us through a beautiful field of poppies with bold colours and hand-cut Fes zellige tiles specially designed for the room. The room opens onto the garden patio, and on the wall, floral calligraphy alongside famous Berber lipsticks – small clay plates made with poppy petals.
Damier
The two-tone black and white room is located on the first floor at the end of the Gallery of Mirrors. The suite window opens onto the Sabah skylight and boasts a private terrace accessed via a wrought iron spiral staircase. The large bathroom has a glass-tiled ceiling, creating a unique ambience as you relax and soak in the tub.
Framboise
The upstairs first-floor bedroom opens onto the garden patio passageway, a cocoon of pink raspberry, décor of various types of wood. It features a four-poster double bed with a unique hand-turned wooden post and a towering bookshelf behind the bed. Inspiration for it all taken from a romantic cabin on the Orient Express.
Celadon
Overlooking the pool patio on the first floor, at the start of the Gallery of Mirrors, this themed room is dressed in yellow copper and gold with shades of celadon which brings a calming ambience. The room features twin beds or one double bed, tartan textiles and a desk with copper piping for the legs.
Roche Violine
This first-floor double room opens to the garden patio. It is decadent in décor with sultry shades of amethyst and gold. Ourika stone covers the walls and hand-painted patterns of peacock feathers and a sketch of the princess’s cloak adorn the deep purple paintwork. A crystal chandelier catches the light, reflecting in the mirrors, bringing the romantic room to life.
Services and facilities
Taste the flavors
Terrace and Breakfast
A la Carte Breakfasts Created with Organic and Home-made Products. Breakfast is a 5-star experience at Riad Karmela Princesa. Choose from a selection of Moroccan dishes and international specialities and indulge in a plethora of organic and homemade products. As an additional treat, there’s a dedicated egg menu for connoisseurs and a collection of homemade jams to choose from.
Snacks and treats including coffees, sorbets, ice cream and cocktails can be enjoyed on the terrace throughout the day.
Riad Karmela Princesse Restaurant
Fresh, Seasonal Produce with Flavours of Marrakesh and Beyond.
The restaurant of Riad Karmela Princesse is intimate in design, hosting up to 25 guests at one time. Guests can enjoy a la carte breakfasts and creative modern cuisine at lunchtime and dinner. Flavours are Moroccan with a European twist and produce is locally sourced at markets or hand-made by the chefs. Meals and drinks are also available throughout the day at a time of your choosing.
Focus on sustainability
Like the fig tree roots, the property is constantly addressing many sustainable tourism areas and excelling in most fields.
- Riad Kermala Princesse takes the best of 2 worlds: the traditional building and modern restoration. With the preserved traditional architecture, the boutique hotel has thick walls and small windows. The combination naturally isolates the interior of the boutique hotel from the desert climate variations.
- The renovation focused on using mainly local material and added insulation, a green roof and energy-saving systems to optimise the energy consumption inside the Riad.
- Chemicals and pesticides have been totally replaced with eco-friendly options
- All the food offering is made from local produce, bought at the neighbouring market (except the fish – directly brought from Agadir)
- The Riad is supporting the small local businesses through partnerships to offer eco-friendly and sustainable activities to the guests such as bike tours, trekking, walks.
Explore the location
Nestled in Medina Azbezt in Marrakesh, Riad Karmela Princesse is within walking distance of many of the city’s attractions. Musee Boucharouite is less than a minutes’ walk away, a unique space showcasing the stories and art behind Moroccan rugs and the Heritage Museum is a few minutes further. The bustling medinas and square of Jemaa el-Fna, the beating heart of the city with market stalls, snake charmers, magicians and medicine men is just 10 minutes walk.
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