Riad Clementine — Marrakech

The Michael Bolton rendition of When a Man Loves a Woman plays over the stereo as the first course of my meal arrives. I’m sitting at an elegantly set table sprinkled with flower petals at the Riad Clementine in Marrakech. Riads are the best choice for places to stay in the Medina of Marrakech and are essentially the equivalent of a fancy bed & breakfast in North America.

The ambience is perfect, the food absolutely delicious, the service impeccable. I’m in love — but not with anyone in particular. I’m all alone here in Morocco, I’ve arrived here on a whim with little expectation, but the food, oh the food! My date tonight is a chicken tagine and a plethora of other great Moroccan amazingness.

I plow my way as gracefully as possible through several courses plus desert. It’s probably not pretty to watch, but my enthusiasm for Moroccan cuisine makes me feel like a fat kid on cake.

I am waited on like some kind of royalty. It makes me feel uncomfortable, but this is just how it is done here so I get used to it.

The Riad Clementine was a huge surprise to me. Not only was the food at the Riad simply amazing, but the place was an oasis from the madness and confusion of the Medina. I didn’t expect to relax in Marrakech, but next time around I will book more time to lounge around in the sun. In mid-December it was about 25ºC and perfectly clear and sunny. If I had more time in Morocco I would have spent some time around the rooftop pool at the Riad.

Getting to the Riad Clementine was relatively easy from the airport, and should only cost about 100 Dirhams by taxi. There are a couple of things I would like to have known before I got there though, and that would be where exactly in the Medina the Riad is.

The Riad Clementine is located at the Bab Doukkala entrance to the Medina. This in itself is a delight and is a less touristy part of town with an authentic feel. It is about a 15-20 minute slightly confusing walk to the Jemaa El Fna and the souks, but if you give yourself some time and consult a map it becomes easy to navigate after a few days.

Bab Doukkala is also reasonably close to the European Quarter of Marrakech, but why you would want to go there is beyond me. The cultural richness of the Medina kicks the crap out of the modern section anyday.

If you’re looking for a nice place to stay in Marrakech, definitely give the Riad Clementine a chance. The service, atmosphere, and quality of the rooms will be a pleasant surprise.

Check out the Riad Clementine at Splendia.com

(click to enlarge)