Tucked away on an inconspicuous alleyway, Riad AnaYela opens up onto plush sanctuary from the manic medina. Minimalist Moorish architecture in typical Riad style is effortlessly beautiful, with all rooms looking inwards onto the charming courtyard and pool. The pool, heated in the winter, is an unusual feature but adds to the quirky and enigmatic nature of AnaYela. Every aspect of AnaYela is a moment of discovery, and every discovery is an absolute pleasure.
Staying at AnaYela is as magical as the story surrounding it. AnaYela meaning, ‘I am Yela’ was inspired by the love story of a girl called Yela, who inhabited the very same house and met – and subsequently fell in love with – her future husband.
It is clear that the love that once existed has been reborn and imbued back into the riad. A renowned Koranic caliigrapher has imprinted the stories of Yela’s diary, in delicately flowing silver letters to decorate the stone walls of the cool abode. All furnishings were individually designed by owner, Bernd Kolb, and produced by local Moroccan artisans, embracing the exquisite Moroccan craftsmanship that is so delicately intricate and impressive. Every room is a chapter of the story, each unique in style and character.
Walking into AnaYela, the welcoming ceremony consists of a shot of milk and dates and – a charming touch – leather slippers to-size for ultimate comfort. Guests are invited to take these home as a souvenir of their stay although we recommend leaving them there for your next visit!
The courtyard invites you to be subtly seduced by soothing music, delicate incense and an imitable atmosphere of calm and reverie. Pure and refreshing, two dainty robins dance in the rays of sunlight, a rippling cool pool shimmers and low music fills the corners of the stone-walled building; it is an awesome experience both mystical and relaxing.
The rooms are vast and invite you to explore every crevice. Our room had an incredible, massive, stone-carved bath, surrounded by vials of lotions, which will completely revolutionize your bathing experience. A deluxe cotton djellaba awaits you and this important, comfortable garb, once worn, will be a sadness to part with. Warm lights flood the room from every corner, exposing the room in a peaceful evening glow.
The beauty of AnaYela is that while staying here is an exciting, wonderful exploration of the riad, it is also an extremely intimate and soothing place. We spent a magical evening on the extensive sofas a la marocaine; playing chess with a choice of superior Moroccan wine or delicious mint tea and there was nowhere else in Marrakech that we would have rather been.
Major domo, Mehdi, is on hand to take care of all of your needs and helps with transportation too. A lovely touch was giving us a mobile with his phone number in case we had trouble (- this proved extremely useful as there is little or no reception in and around the souks).
There is no other riad or hotel inside the medina that we would recommend more than AnaYela – a truly wonderful experience of unparalleled chic, refined and comfortable luxury.
28 Derb Zarwal، مراكش 40000, Morocco
+212 661-948764
http://anayela.com/
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