All the walls are painted with tadelakt, an ancient construction technique consisting in a water-proof limestone-based concoction, Maîtresse Maria explains
Dar Darma: a boutique riad in the center of Marrakesh
Dar Darma Riad is a boutique hotel in Marrakesh, Morocco. Located in the heart of Medina,the complex dates back to the Seventeenth century and is a typical riad. A riad is a traditional urban home, composed of different rooms or buildings separated by gardens or courtyards.
Originally conceived as a private holiday home, Dar Darman opened to the public as a boutique hotel in 2007. They aim at offering to guests from all over the world an authentic Moroccan stay.
A home away from home
Sober on the outside, on the inside the riad boasts a design in typical Moroccan style. All the walls are painted with tadelakt, an ancient construction technique consisting in a water-proof limestone-based concoction. The vaults are made of hand-painted natural wood and the floor displays the traditional Moroccan checkered motive, alternating black and white with warmer tones. Characteristic are also the decorations: from handmade silver trays to iron lamps, from handmade pottery vases to custom-made rugs, colored in the local tanneries.
The interiors of the riad are dimly lit. «We like to say that our guests are travelers, not tourists. People who look for something unique and wish to fully experience the riad, thus discovering the soul of Dar Darma. They usually need to find inspiration or take a break from their daily lives, if not a healing escape, to relax in a private, comfortable space. The customers consider privacy and friendly yet careful service as the new luxury. They wish to have their own space, yet to feel a bit pampered. In one word, to find their home away from home. We have met couples, families, groups of friends, many of whom came back or even became fellow guests. This is our mission: to make people feel at home».
Dar Darma includes the local territory and population. «There is an intersection and a continuous synergy between us, the local population and the city. On the one hand, we collaborate with trusted local artisans and experts we have known for a long time, whether for maintenance or tourist activities; on the other hand, we are starting to establish connections with local artists, musicians and young talents to involve them in future projects or small events».
Six suites at Dar Darma: red, blue and grey
The riad features six suites, each with its own name, style and color palette. They all feature design items specifically created by local artisans and objects collected by the owners during their travels around the world.
Located on the first floor, the Red Suite is painted in ancient shades of red. It comprehends two master bedrooms, two private bathrooms and a living room with a fireplace and a hand-painted wooden ceiling. All the doorways are made of engraved wood and the windows overlook a patio with a pool.
Light blue and gray are the predominant colors in the Blue Suite. It features a living room with a fireplace, two master bedrooms and two private bathrooms with bathtubs. Decorations include carved wooden doors and paintings. It overlooks a green patio and can also be divided into two separate suites.
The Orange, Brown and Black suites
The Orange Suite is painted in warm colors and spreads over two floors. On the ground floor are the entrance and the living room. This is followed by an indoor wooden staircase that leads to a master bedroom, characterized by orange walls. The room features an ensuite bathroom with shower and a terrace overlooking a patio with a pool.
Located at the ground floor is the Suite of Mirrors. It owes its name to the decorative mirror wall placed beyond the bed in the master bedroom. Its main colors are brick red and violet. The suite also has a private bathroom and a living room with seats both indoors and outside under a colonnade.
The Brown Patio Suite is characterized by a game of opposites: the bright tones of the walls and the floor contrast with the dark brown of the wooden furniture, which in turn combines a contemporary style with decorative elements reminiscent of Moroccan traditional architecture. The suite overlooks a shady patio and features a double bedroom with two separable beds, a living room and a bathroom with shower and bathtub.
Almost identical to the Brown Patio Suite in style, composition and location is the Black Patio Suite, with black furniture and details.
Relax for mind and body
Relax is a mantra at Dar Darma. Guests are invited to look after their well-being both physically and psychologically. «Far from being a traditional hotel, Dar Darma is more like a home to its guests. For this reason, we like to keep it simple, allowing them to enjoy their free time in privacy. When temperatures allow guests can get some fresh air outside, on the rooftop terrace, swinging in a hammock or taking a plunge in the pool».
The riad’s library features books written mostly in Italian, English and German and promotes a cross books project: guests are invited to leave a book with a personal dedication or note for future travelers and to take another one from the library to read during their stay.
Dar Darma also hosts an hammam, made of two small rooms at different temperatures according to the Moroccan tradition. In addition, guests can require some beauty treatments: «We offer simple, authentic facial and body treatments. Inspired by ancient techniques and based on the beneficial properties of local ingredients, such as the black soap, which can be used as a scrub to purify the skin and make it glow or rose water to boost hydration».
Taste and learn Moroccan cuisine
Dar Darma Riad features a restaurant, La Table Dar Darma, which is open to non-guests of the hotel. Maria, the maîtresse, proposes homemade dishes following traditional Moroccan recipes, such as harira soup, Moroccan-spiced pumpkin soup, meat or vegetable tajines, couscous, lemon chicken, freshly baked cakes and fruit desserts. All the raw materials are fresh, seasonal and local. Besides lunch and dinner, La Table Dar Darma also serves guests small bites with mint or thyme tea throughout the rest of the day.
On request Maria holds cooking classes to share the secrets of traditional Moroccan cuisine. At the end of each lesson the participants will sit around a table and eat together.
Experience Morocco with Dar Darma
Dar Darma organizes a series of excursions and activities for guests who want to explore Marrakech and its surroundings. Guides speaking various languages can take them on personalized tours of the city and personal shoppers can lead them to the most characteristic stores and support them in the purchase of traditional Moroccan products, such as kaftans, rugs, pottery, lamps, silverware and spices.
Dar Darma Riad
Dar Darma Riad, Marrakesh, Morocco, is a boutique hotel. Hosted in a Seventeenth century renovated riad, located in the center of the Medina, featuring six suites, a restaurant, a hammam, a swimming pool and a library.
