Location
With a stay at Riad Kniza in Marrakech (Medina), you’ll be convenient to Dar el Bacha Palace and Jamaa el Fna. This 5-star riad is extremely well situated just inside the Bab Doukkala gate, midway between the Djemaa el-Fna and the Ville Nouvelle (New Town) where you’ll find the Jardin Majorelle and the new Yves Saint Laurent Museum. Unusually for Marrakech, the house is easy to access and you can pick up taxis at Bab Doukkala or Dar el-Bacha.
Style
Dating from the 18th century, Riad Kniza is a small, luxury “Hotel de Charme” in the heart of the old Médina of Marrakech, completely restored by Haj Mohamed Bouskri using traditional materials and artisans to recreate an authentic Moroccan experience as in days gone by. Riad Kniza has been in the owner’s family for more than 200 years and has history and tradition on its side.
Haj Mohamed, aside from being one of the most renowned antique dealers in Marrakech, has been a professional guide for the past 34 years and has shown the best of Marrakech to many VIPs and celebrities including former US Presidents and international movie stars including Brad Pit, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Aniston.
He will be delighted to share his profound knowledge of Marrakech and the Kingdom of Morocco, giving you inside information that will ensure you get the very best out of your visit.
Riad Kniza has also won the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for many years running, ranking among Marrakech’s top 10 hotels on the site.
Moorish architecture mixes with Moroccan flavors in richly decorated guest rooms and one of the city’s best restaurants to make this five-star hotel a celebrity favorite. Teams of Morocco’s most highly skilled craftsmen have honoured their masters in creating this gem of Moorish architecture.
Riad Kniza, with its eleven tastefully decorated rooms and suites, is an excellent point of departure from which to explore the city.
Retire to its intimate salons and atmospheric roof terrace and you’ll be following in the footsteps of Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and many others. Set around three intricately stuccoes and tiled patios – one of which features a large pool – the soaring richly decorated salons and tranquil patios make everybody left in awe.
On top of this artful canvas, Haj Bouskri’s beautiful antiques, Berber rugs, crushed velvet-silk sofas and embroidered curtains add depth and personality, creating the sumptuous look of a luxurious Marrakesh home. In winter, fires warm the book-lined library and cosy drawing room, while in summer mint tea is served in courtyard and on the plant-screened terrace with its sweeping views.
Rooms
Make yourself at home in one of the 11 air-conditioned rooms featuring DVD players, complimentary wireless Internet and cable programming for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and separate sitting areas.
With some of Morocco’s finest furniture and furnishings passing through his antiques showroom, Haj Bouskri has filled Riad Kniza’s 11 rooms and suites with incredible pieces: painted wedding chests, golden canopies, carved cedarwood screens, silk and woollen rugs, Berber wedding blankets and Oriental paintings. In some, the sumptuous king-sized beds sit beneath intricately carved stucco domes, while in others they stand on raised platforms screened by silk or gossamer curtains.
The Junior and Senior suites are more like small apartments, while the Royal Suite Bahia is the size of a small house. At this level, you can expect spacious seating areas furnished with super comfortable Moroccan sofas set beside decorative fireplaces. Marble-clad bathrooms are similarly well-appointed, heated towel rails and bath tubs.
Service & facilities
The attentive yet discreet, English-speaking staff spare no effort to make all guests feel at home and ensure that their stay with us is unforgettable. A true Moroccan experience would not be complete without the country’s exquisite cuisine; at Riad Kniza guests will enjoy Moroccan gastronomy at its best. Food here was the best I tasted in Morocco.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a rooftop terrace and a garden. This Riad also features concierge services.
For food lovers and “fins gourmets”, Riad Kniza, reputed as having one of the best Moroccan tables in town, is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic, intimate dinner. choose to dine in one of our sumptuous Moroccan salons or under the moon light on our stunning roof terrace.
Orders should be placed at least one day in advance to enable the chef to shop for the freshest ingredients on the morning of the dinner which she lovingly prepares for the guests.
With celebrity clientele on its books, service here is appropriately subtle, attentive and discreet. Meals are served whenever and wherever you like, there’s a pool, spa and hammam for pampering, and Haj Bouskri’s expert tours have helped countless VIPs locate the souks finest treasures. Across the lane, the family have opened another Riad exhibiting their own impressive collection of Moroccan antiques and craftwork, alongside top quality contemporary examples which are for sale. There is a wonderful and big store underneath the museum – you should not miss. Here you get some great gifts to bring back home for friends.
Just like any self-respecting Moroccan household, food at Riad Kniza is an occasion whether it be the spoiling breakfast of homemade pastries, yogurt, eggs and pancakes served on the roof terrace; light lunches of rose-scented carrot salad; or multi-course evening feasts.
For each new booking reserved through our website, Riad Kniza makes a donation to one of three aid organizations. W Mohamed V Foundation supports a variety of projects among which: Children schooling, support of rural women, insertion and social integration of disabled people and health care.
Function space
The Riad Kniza is the perfect place for a buy out if you want to celebrate your wedding, birthday, anniversary or even for small company events or incentive trips.
The variety of beautiful venues here and on top the incredible cuisine will make every event memorable.
For more information or bookings, please visit
Riad Kniza
34 Derb l’Hotel,
Bab Doukala – Marrakech – Médina,
Morocco
Tel : +212 5 24 37 69 42
Fax : +212 5 24 37 83 65
Website: http://www.riadkniza.com/
Email: riadkniza@riadkniza.com
