Dar Les Cigognes

Description:

• Located in the medina's kasbah and within walking distance to Jemaa el Fna, the "House of Storks" is actually two houses joined by an enclosed upper-level bridge, which spans a laneway marking the historical boundary between the old Islamic and Jewish quarters. Swiss-American owned and lovingly restored by respected local architect Charles Boccara, Dar les Cigognes offers a bit of luxury and an exotic ambience without being pretentious. The fresh air and natural light in the twin courtyards are best appreciated from one of the numerous lounges that are strategically placed in various niches and salons coming off the ground floors. Surrounding the courtyards are 11 themed, well-appointed rooms including the decadently ruby-red Harem, with its own fireplace; the sparkling Silver room, resplendent in wall-to-wall silver tadelakt and a lace-draped four-poster bed; and my personal favorite, the Safari, decked out in earth tones with various sub-Saharan objets d'art, a large painting depicting a colonial-era hunting party, and a king-size bed (which can be converted into twins).

  Neatly tucked into the enclosed bridge are the guest-only hammam and spa, where scrubs, massages, and beauty treatments, including traditional henna tattooing, are available; there's also a Jacuzzi. The roof terraces, which look straight out onto the flock of storks who permanently roost on the ramparts of the Royal & El Badi palaces across the road, have great views of the Western High Atlas and are bedecked with tables and chairs for a sunny breakfast (served until 10:30am) or a romantic glass of wine at sunset. The house kitchen serves traditional Moroccan cuisine for lunch and dinner by reservation, and the cooks are only too happy to pass on their culinary skills to interested guests via a pre-arranged cooking lesson. The morning Stork News, which highlights the day's major world news stories and is served with a cup of coffee (in your room should you request), is a nice touch. Note: The outside noise here can at times last well into the night, as one of the main thoroughfares through the kasbah passes right by the doorway of the first house, so request one of the rooms in the second house.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010