The Travel Files

Dar Kawa is a beautiful five-star accommodation in the heart of the Marrakech medina. The old riad has been restored together with Belgian architect Quentin Wilbaux. The owner, Valerie Barkowski, looked for a way to combine the house’s seventeenth-century Saadian architecture with modern comfort and style, bringing the house firmly into the twenty-first century.

Only traditional materials were used for the restoration and the basic structure of the house was left intact. The decor is deliberately simple, yet authentic, with great attention paid to details, quality and service.

Designed with a blend of traditional Morocco and contemporary international style. Simple yet not sparing, the rooms are comfortable, large and immaculate.

Most of the house is painted in an off-white color with a shade of grey for woodwork and tadelakt.

Nice detail: most of the fabrics, linnen and curtains came from Valerie’s (the owner) own collection.

For more information about Dar Kawa and rates or availability you can visit Dar Kawa’s website.

Peacock Pavilions in Marrakech is on my personal (wish)list of places to stay. It has been since owner Maryam announced on her blog My Marrakech that she was building this guest house. I knew from the start that it was going to be fabulous!

Maryam, who is originally fro the US, is a freelance photographer, travel and lifestyle writer, often reporting on food, shopping, spas, and other fun experiences in Marrakech. Currently she is doing a coffee table book – part memoir and part Moroccan interior design treatise – for a major US publisher. Besides all this, she is trying to save the world as an international human rights and democracy specialist.

Everything you see in Peacock Pavilions has a story to tell; the table that was once the bottom of an Indian cart, masks from West Africa, Moroccan lights designed by hostess Maryam and hand-stenciled floors and ceilings made by artists the world over.

In every room you will discover the attention to detail and the care that comes with treasures selected with inspiration and arranged with love.

But Peacock Pavilions is more than just rooms. The Atlas Pavilion has its very own catwalk high in the air; the Medina Pavilion is equipped with a kitchen that will inspire you to reach culinary heights. Both Pavilions have grand domed salons to make you feel like a pasha in this serene oasis. There is also a pool in the beautiful garden, and hidden away in the olive grove you find an Outdoor Cinema.

For more information and reservations you can visit Peacock Pavilions’ website. During you stay Maryam can provide you with suggestions on fun stuff to do in the city.