Dar One
Marrakech, Morocco[view map]
Reviewed by Mr & Mrs Smith.
Mr & Mrs Smith have an anonymous review trip to this Marrakech boutique hotel in the diary, and just as soon as they've unpacked their cameras and Moroccan leather bags, a full account of their stay in North Africa will be with you. In the meantime, just to whet your wanderlust, here are our first impressions of Dar One…
Like many first-time visitors to Marrakech, Dar One's owner Jean Peres was instantly hooked on its exotic atmosphere, apricot-hued buildings and winding high-walled passageways. He stumbled upon a derelict riad in the Mellah, the Jewish quarter of the old Medina, snapped it up, and began to transform it into a stylish boutique escape.
At the riad's core is a tranquil courtyard, its pool dotted with floating rose blooms and surrounded by candles. Vases of orchids, bespoke leather day beds and cubic leather poufs (all designed by Jean and constructed by Almoravides craftsmen) all signal that no detail has been left unchecked by his discriminating eye. In fact, Jean stayed at 12 different riads while he was planning his Moroccan maison d'hôte, just to make sure no stone was left unturned, no creature comfort was forgotten and no weary traveller's need was overlooked. Now that's dedication.
But this is no sleekly sterile cube of a designer pad – its intimate scale, traditional polished tadelakt bathrooms, funky fabrics and a laid-back, as-you-wish attitude means you'll soon be flopping comfortably on a mountain-view sunlounger or sipping champagne by a winter-warmer fire, toasting a successful day's shopping in the souk. Santé!