Riad | House in Sidi Ben Slimane El Jazouli, Morocco

Riad Dar Zaman is located in the historical medina neighbourhood of Sidi Ben Slimane, an easy 1.2km walk north of the main square of Jemaa el Fna, in the heart of the medina. The riad is a traditional 18th century Moroccan home that has been refurbished to create a luxurious guest house. Retaining many of its original features, the riad is tastefully furnished with rich local fabrics, African artwork, soft Berber rugs and beautiful handmade furniture.
Our Marrakech riad is perfect for families and small groups renting the whole riad as a quality private retreat.
The riad has four exquisite double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning for cooling and heating, according to the season. The beds are queen-sized with hypoallergenic foam mattresses topped with memory foam - they're seriously comfortable. For friends travelling together, two of the rooms can be made up with twin beds. Both the salon and dining room have log fires, and a third salon is equipped with a small library and board games. Fibre optic wi-fi is available throughout the property.
The sun terrace is a wonderful retreat in the sun or shade, graced by swaying palms and perfumed by jasmine and orange blossom. Relax with a mint tea and relish in the magic of the call of the muezzin and the spectacular views across the Medina rooftops to the snow-capped Atlas Mountains.
A sumptuous breakfast is included in the room rate – a wonderful choice of fresh avocado, hummus, olive tapenade, almond nut butter, morrocan crepes, honey, jam, yoghurt, eggs and fresh fruit, served with freshly squeezed orange juice, tea and coffee.
Our housekeeper, Karima, has been feted for her delicious Moroccan dishes. Dining at Dar Zaman is a feast for the senses. Karima can make many favourite local dishes, such as briouattes, pastilla, lots of delicous salads (Moroccan salads are mostly cooked vegetables delicately flavoured with spices), tagines - chicken with lemon, lamb with prunes or figs, couscous dishes, vegetarian you choose, you'll be in for a true gastronomic delight!
We also offer excellent, fun cooking classes at the riad that start with a tour of the local communal bread oven and produce market.
We offer a high level of discreet personal service, including a comprehensive welcome brief and 24/7 concierge for all your needs in Marrakech. Our aim is to enable our guests to experience the “not for tourist” Marrakech, the Marrakech we’ve come to know and love over the last 15 years.
Our team will happily share their excellent knowledge of Marrakech with you – for example, where to buy things and the prices you should pay, where to get the best spa treatments, where to go for a pool day and where you can eat a tagine seated metres from a stunning waterfall in the Atlas Mountains.
Languages Spoken: An English speaking and English managed Marrakech Riad, we also speak French, Spanish and Portuguese.
We have over 900 reviews of the property on Trustindex
( https://www.trustindex.io/reviews/www.darzaman.co.uk ) - here's a sample one from April, 2023:
Everything about Dar Zaman is simply outstanding; staying here is like living with friends you have always known!
The Riad itself is a little gem, tucked away down the alleyways in the north of the medina. Behind its door you find a charming oasis of peace: the tinkling of water running into the tiny pool in the courtyard, lemon & orange trees, bougainvillea cascading down the walls and the chirping of the house buntings.
The rooms are sparking clean and decorated in traditional Moroccan fabrics, the bathrooms finished in tadelakt and zellige tiles.
It is undoubtedly Peter & his team that make this place a dream. Hassan & Adhil will look after your every need with smiles and open hearts; Karima will cook food with love and you will feast on home made tagines every evening, if you choose to, as we did! Unlike many Riads in the old quarter there is also a supply of beers and local wines to chose from.
The breakfasts are a complete delight, served on the terrace in the morning sun, hummus, tapenade, almond butter, local bread, fresh omelettes, local yoghurt on pretty ceramic dishes set on the whitest of linen.
Peter has created the perfect escape for those of us lucky enough to be welcomed into this gem of a Riad; we would return in a heartbeat!