Dar Laarous

Dar Laarous is nestled in the popular Riad Laarous area in the heart of the Medina of Marrakech. It is within easy walking distance of the bustling Jamaa el Fna Square and just a few minutes drive from the trendy Gueliz area, the beautiful, famous Jardins Majorelle and many other attractions. Golfers can easily reach the outstanding, prestigious Royal Palm golf course and the Royal Golf at Amelkis for a round of golf.
 
Marrakech is a bustling, intoxicating, colourful city of wonders that offers an inexhaustible source of surprises. It is Africa’s Capital of Culture, where everything is on the move. Finding out all of its secrets would take forever, but you can visit a handful of attractions in a few days to get a taste of its noble past and its frenetic present. Colourful spices, glistening lamps, colourful carpets and leather in every shade imaginable are combined with rich, ancient architecture to capture your heart and soul. Its souks are loud, thrilling and very exciting. You can shop for sweets, clothing, leather, spices, soap, perfume, rugs, lighting, musical instruments and much more. All prices are negotiable, and bargaining is a social art. You will discover snake charmers, storytellers and potion sellers. Dining in the Medina is an adventure and will set your tastebuds tingling. Smoke rises from barbecues which are enjoyed along with Gnawa musicians, acrobats and fortune tellers. The famous Patisserie des Princes is perfect for sweet treats and ice cream afterwards. Many of the riads boast exquisite restaurants for fine dining experiences where you will enjoy creative, spice-laced modern Moroccan menus, many of which are on rooftops with fabulous views. Your friendly staff at the riad can recommend and book tables for you. The wonderful Riad Yima Tea Room is the home and personal gallery of Hassan Hajjaj, the Andy Warhol of Marrakech and is filled with upcycled pop art. It is fun and a great place to grab a classic cup of mint tea. The Medina’s labyrinth of winding lanes and alleyways is best explored with a willingness to get lost and a sense of adventure. In 1985 the Medina was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hammams were introduced to the city by the Romans and adapted to fit Islamic ablution rituals. Visitors enjoy wonderful hammam experiences at Hammam de la Rose, the Farnatchi Spa, the deluxe Royal Mansour and many other spas.
 
This Moroccan city-break favourite is also home to a glossy modern quarter, the Gueliz, which is just steps from the riad. Beyond Marrakech’s ancient heart is this contemporary, manicured area full of funky cafes, chic shopping opportunities, upmarket restaurants and wonderful museums that are architectural statements. It is alive with artwork, with one of the most famous galleries being the Matisse Art Gallery, named after the 20th-century artist Henri Matisse. It draws some of the best artists from all over Morocco with inspirational exhibitions. You will also discover the Royal Tennis Club of Marrakech with its nine courts plus a stadium court. The club is the oldest and largest tennis club in Marrakech and is often used for sporting events.
 
Marrakech enjoys an excellent collection of museums, including Maison de la Photographie, a three-storey riad-turned-gallery housing the vintage Moroccan photography collection of Patrick Menac’h and Marrakshi Hamid Mergani. Its rooftop cafe is one of the highest in Medina. The Musee Tiskiwin displays the history of Marrakech and the region in general. The Dar Si Said Museum is an exhibition of historic and contemporary Moroccan art, full of intricate Byzantine designs and colours. The Musee Boucharouite features stunning tapestries and another hidden rooftop cafe, while the Musee de Mouassine shows off the work of a local artist. The Music Museum is located in the Saadian quarter, built in the 16th and 17th centuries. The reception of the museum is a jewel of Arab-Andalusian architecture.
 
The Bahia Palace was built in the late 19th century and now forms the centre of the city’s culture. It boasts incredible decor along with high, gilded ceilings, mosaics, stuccos, paintings and an enormous landscaped garden.
 
You can discover some of the city’s history at the 16th-century Saadian Tombs, where the Sultan al-Mansour spared no expense in decorating his opulent mausoleum with imported Italian Carrara marble and a gilded honeycomb muqarnas ceiling. You will discover a large complex of lavish mausoleums and tombs. The once magnificent Bali Palace is now a monumental ruin with giant reflecting pools and breathtaking views of the city. The towering minaret of Koutoubia Mosque is constructed of red brick and sandstone and enjoys ornamental details. It stands proud as the symbol of Marrakech. Turquoise tiling, calligraphy, arches, fountains, and plasterwork make the mosque highly impressive.
 
The area around the city is sprinkled with magical gardens. Le Jardin Secret is one of Medina’s largest and most important gardens, with a Persian garden full of tufty grasses and olive, pomegranate, fig and date trees and a second smaller garden offering exotic plants. An elaborate irrigation system weaves its way through the gardens, part of an ancient network that once distributed water from artesian wells and fed by the mountains. When fashion icon Yves St Laurent arrived in the city in 1964, he was overwhelmed by the city and its vivacity. He lived in the Jardin Majorelle with his partner, a lush garden painted with an intense shade of ultramarine blue. It is sprinkled with giant cacti, palms and bamboo groves. The Berber Museum is filled with Yves St Laurent’s personal jewellery and fashion collection, and the Musee Yves St Laurent offers a stunning choreography presentation of the clothes in a dramatic black hall.
 
Once you have sampled the vibrancy and energy of the city, you can venture a few miles out to the cooler heights of the mountains. Northern Africa’s highest peak, Mount Toubkal, is just a short distance away, surrounded by the magnificent wonder of stunning mountains that are simply perfect for a hike. Within easy reach from the road, you will also find some of the best golf courses in Marrakech, including the Amelkis Championship Golf Course and the Marrakech Royal Golf Club. You will enjoy unforgettable day trips, visit traditional villages, taste delicious food, and enjoy the fabulous scenery and a mesmerising mix of Berber, Arabian and European cultural influences. Morocco is as diverse as it is beautiful.

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