mthurmond
Google
From the minute we landed at the airport in Marrakesh, Riad Dar Warda took care of us like we were family. We were met at the airport and driven to and then into the old city as far as our vehicle could go. We parked in a small square and were met by still more friendly people who loaded our suitcases onto handcarts and led us down a maze of connecting walkways and tunnels into the heart of the Medina. One of the hotel staff, Abdel, walked with us and told me of his life in Marrakesh and his Berber heritage (in beautiful English). We arrived at the end of a tunnel at an ancient, thousand-year-old door and knocked. Behind the door, we entered a small corridor at the end of which was a beautiful fountain. There we turned right and into the courtyard of the Riad. How glorious! Three stories of rooms and terraces overlooking a central courtyard with a small central bathing pool. Our bags where whisked away to our rooms, and we were led to a comfortable seating area looking out onto the courtyard. Abdel's sisters Fatiha and Farida greeted us with traditional Moroccan mint tea and homemade delicacies.||In the days that followed, we spent our time equally divided between exploring the delights of both the old and new parts of Marrakesh and relaxing in the Riad's numerous common areas, including the courtyard, two terraced gardens, two roof top terraces with cabanas, the enclosed TV and reading room, full of books about Morocco, and the living room that is open to the courtyard. Our rooms themselves were spectacular - large and comfortable, with multiple large windows opening into the courtyard. I had the opportunity to see many of the rooms. Each had its own name and theme, and all had been renovated and decorated with a high level of artistry, with attention to locally crafted items. They were elegant, first class rooms with all the amenities you would see in a high-end hotel.||We elected to have most of our meals at the Riad, dining either in the formal dining room, or open air in the courtyard or on the rooftop terrace. It is said that home cooking in Morocco is better than any restaurant, and Fatiha and Farida proved it to be true. Sitting down to a meal at Riad Dar Warda is a lavish, sumptuous and delicious experience, not to mention beautiful. And, I spent perhaps my two favorite days in the kitchen with Fatia and Farida, learning to cook their delicious Moroccan dishes.||Abdel arranged two day trips for us outside of the city, to Essaouira and to the Atlas Mountains. In both cases we walked to the square and were met by a congenial driver with a comfortable van. Both drives were leisurely, stopping according to our interests, and both destinations were delightful, each in their own way.||The best thing about Raid Dar Warda though is the people. The owners have a profound love of Morocco, their hotel and staff, who themselves are siblings. The driver is their father. I was so happy to meet Farida's and Fatiha's daughters, spending one afternoon with the delightful 16-year-old Nouhaiila, who I think spoke better French and English than I. This riad is about love – for Morocco and for family, the family we are given and the family we choose. I hope to bring my entire family, including my five nieces, to visit Morocco and stay at Riad Dar Warda. It is a home away from home.
