Riad Alkemia, a vacation home rental in Morocco

Luxury in the Inspiration Point for Yves St. Laurent

We love the Red City, named for the rose hues of its buildings. Marrakesh, with its sights, smells and sounds, riads, souks, and dars, is as wondrously mosaicked as its famous textiles. One minute away from the theater of life in the souks, hidden at the end of a typical derb of the medina, lies the charming Riad Alkemia. Enter its set of inlaid-wood Berber doors and immerse yourself in quiet and relaxation.

Marrakesh has a strong architectural heritage, and this home has plenty of treats for the eye. Carved domes and arches soar overhead in many of the rooms, while wrought-iron balconies swing around the central courtyard, looking down toward the pool and intimate corners for lounging. Unwind in the hammam and take your tea on the stunning rooftop terrace, with those spectacular, pink-tinted buildings spread out below and around you.

This vacation rental in Marrakesh operates a bit like a hotel: owners Bouchra and Khalid will take care of all your needs, including delicious breakfasts and daily cleanings (both included). They can arrange traditional dinners, private parties, and private tours. There is also a night auditor who spends the night at the riad, taking care of guests after the rest of the staff go home.

It’s the perfect home base for following in the footsteps of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, who had a profound love affair with Marrakesh; there is even a vast botanical garden and museum (designed by Studio Ko) dedicated to him.

Let the city and this unique riad inspire your own creativity.

This luxury vacation rental in Marrakesh welcomes you with seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, and plenty of lounging spaces, including the large rooftop terrace. With its pool, traditional hammam with spa service, and 24-Hour Staff Service, a luxury experience is complete.

Around

Riad Alkemia is in the medina, allowing you to explore the city as a local and make the shopping in the souks, markets and cafes a real adventure! It’s a 5-minute walk to Le Jardin Secret, 15 minutes to the 12th-century Moorish Koutoubia Mosque, Dar Si Said, or Jardin Majorelle. Within 10 minutes, you can get to the Place des Epices and a few minutes further to the Place Jemaa el Fna. The owners also recommend seeing Bahia Palace and El Badii Palace, also within 20 minutes, with their fascinating histories and intricate decadence at the hands of skilled craftsmen.

The nearby Atlas Mountains are ideal for day trips. The three-hour drive to the Atlantic coast is worth the trip for the Unesco World Heritage Site of El Jadida, a fortified former Portuguese colony that features both western and eastern influence. The laid-back beach town of Essaouira with sandy-colored ramparts, whitewashed avenues, French-style piazzas and a fishing port are just south of the iconic city of Casablanca.