Slow Stays | Riad Brummell
(Full disclosure: I received a press discount to stay here)
If you read my newsletter or follow me on Instagram, it’s no secret that I’ve fallen head over heels for Marrakech following my week there last month. There’s something so intoxicating about the chaos of wandering the labyrinth of the souks, the food was the best I’ve ever had on holiday, and nothing beats a hammam for ultimate relaxation — but the part of the puzzle that I most adored was the wonderful riad we called home for the first few days of our trip.
Riad Brummell is a haven in the midst of the bustle of the medina; a hidden sanctuary where you can completely escape the crowds and noise of the city. Designed by Barcelona-based architect, Claudia Raurell, this 1880 palace has been restored with an acute attention to detail, now home to five unique bedrooms, a tranquil rooftop, quiet courtyard and numerous nooks and crannies where you can curl up beside a roaring open fire on a winter’s evening or escape the sun on a scorching summer day.
Our room was an absolute delight — we stayed in one of the Medina Deluxe rooms, a vast space covered in tadelakt pink walls with a huge brass bath tub at the foot of the bed. A cave-like bathroom was home to a huge shower, and we also had a small seating area directly outside our room. I tend to judge a hotel room by its bed and bath, and this one passed with flying colours on both accounts — they were both huge and extremely comfortable. Downstairs, there are two smaller Fountain Standard rooms (sans tubs), and there are two other Deluxe rooms — one with a brass tub on a private balcony and the other featuring a huge sunken stone bath.
On arrival, we were whisked up to the spacious rooftop where we sprawled on loungers while sipping fresh mint tea. Alongside comfy seating to soak up the Moroccan sunshine, there’s also a plunge pool to cool off up on the roof. The small restaurant/breakfast room is also situated upstairs — with retractable windows that make the space multi-functional throughout the year. Breakfast was served up here each morning — a delightful affair with various Moroccan breads, amlou (my new additction: almond, honey and argan oil butter), avocado, eggs, homemade jams, yoghurt, fresh fruit, just squeezed orange juice and mint tea. It’s presented on a clever three-tier stand that looks great while allowing you more space to dine. We were also treated to dinner on the rooftop on our first night — warming salads and fresh bread followed by wonderfully fragrant tagine.
The staff at Riad Brummell were incredibly attentive, knowledgeable of the surrounding area, and went out of their way to help us during our stay. It felt like a true home from home that we were bereft to leave — definitely somewhere I’ll be returning to. There’s something magical about being located in the heart of the souks — everything from the restaurants we had booked to dine in to the hammam we visited seemed to be no more than a ten minute stroll away. Yet, the instant you set foot through the door of the riad, the medina seems miles away as a tranquil ambiance immediately settles upon you. It’s a truly magical place that will forever be etched in my memory.