Marrakech’s Most Enchanting Secret: Riad Kheirredine
48 Hours in Marrakech: A Love Letter to Riad Kheirredine
An Oasis Behind the Medina
Nestled within the serpentine alleys of Marrakech’s historic medina, Riad Kheirredine does not simply seduce — it envelops. In jasmine-scented courtyards. In lemon-dappled breezes. In a silence so serene, it feels sacred.
This is not merely a stay. It is a sensory pilgrimage, and for 48 luminous hours, I surrendered to its spell.
The Welcome: From Labyrinth to Luxury
Marrakech awakens every sense — sometimes all at once. You arrive not quietly, but by immersion: the din of the souk, the swirl of colors, the scent of saffron. And just as your senses reach their peak, you find a wooden door. Behind it: calm.
Crossing the threshold of Riad Kheirredine is akin to stepping through a portal. The light softens. A breeze flutters through embroidered curtains. You are greeted with rosewater towels, mint tea, and a warm welcome from Yassine, whose kindness and attention to detail make you feel instantly at home.
As Yassine explained, the riad began with just six rooms, 20 years ago — an intimate sanctuary for travelers seeking authenticity and refinement. Over time, through thoughtful restoration and quiet evolution, it grew gracefully to 22 rooms, each unique, each infused with its own story.
Suite Dreams: The Neroli Suite
For my stay, I had the privilege of residing in the Neroli Suite — the largest and most luminous chamber of the riad. It is a place where time stretches and style whispers. High ceilings, carved arches, vintage brass, and decadent linens create a space that’s equal parts elegance and intimacy.
The bathroom, a marble-drenched sanctuary, featured a striking bronze bathtub, worthy of long, candlelit soaks, and a beautifully appointed walk-in closet that made unpacking feel ceremonial. And the private balcony? Perfect for morning journaling, golden hour musings, or simply observing the rooftops of Marrakech in contemplative stillness.
Morning Rituals & Citrus Reveries
Mornings at the riad begin on the rooftop — a slice of sky, softened with linen canopies and birdsong. Breakfast is a lovingly curated affair: msemen (Moroccan crêpes), seasonal fruits, hand-whipped butter, fig jam, and that singular Moroccan coffee that makes you believe in slow living.
I stayed at the table longer than necessary, scribbling thoughts and watching the light shift across the Atlas Mountains.
Evenings Under the Stars
Dinner at the riad is candlelit and composed — a private concert of flavors. I dined in the serene courtyard restaurant, surrounded by elegant mosaic walls and the soft rustle of palm trees, a setting as tranquil as it was enchanting. To begin, a parade of Moroccan salads arrived — each one a jewel-toned composition of vegetables, herbs, and spices, unapologetically rich in garlic (much to my utter delight). I devoured them with the enthusiasm of someone who had waited her whole life for this precise flavor harmony. Each bite was like a culinary love letter from Marrakech itself — bold, fragrant, and beautifully layered. It wasn’t just a starter. It was a revelation. One that instantly made me wonder: how soon can I come back? with a glass of Moroccan wine, wrapped in the gentle hum of lanterns and laughter.
A traditional beef tagine arrived, rich and aromatic, followed by an orange blossom dessert so divine I briefly considered proposing to the chef..
Departure, Reluctantly
As I wheeled my suitcase slowly through the quiet, tiled passageways of Riad Kheirredine, the morning sun casting gentle shadows across the courtyard, I felt the inevitable weight of departure settle in. But it wasn’t just my luggage that felt heavier — it was the fullness of the experience, the deep exhale of having truly let go for 48 beautiful hours. In that instant, I realized something: Riad Kheirredine isn’t just a simple Riad. It’s a place that changes the rhythm of your breath. A place where beauty is never forced, and hospitality is not a service, but an art.
I promised myself I’d return — not because I needed to escape, but because I wanted to feel that rare kind of stillness again. The kind only found behind a wooden door in Marrakech, where time slows, hearts open, and memories are scented with orange blossom.
And yes, I left with more ceramics than a Parisian apartment should legally accommodate. But what is a true experience, if not something you carry with you — in your suitcase, in your senses, in the soft smile you give yourself days later, remembering the taste of warm msemen under a Moroccan sun?
photocredits: WHAT WE ADORE MAGAZINE
Riad Kheirredine, Marrakech
2 Derb Chelligui, Marrakech Medina
www.riadkheirredine.com
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