Dar Les Cigognes

Dar Les Cigognes takes its name from the storks that nest on the ramparts of the Royal Palace opposite, and its position in the southern medina, next to the Kasbah and El Badi Palace, is one of its main attractions. The hotel occupies a restored riad on Rue de Berima and has eleven guest rooms and suites, which keeps the atmosphere calm and personal.

The rooms are individually decorated with Moroccan craftsmanship and fabrics, arranged around a central courtyard. The roof gardens look out over the palace ramparts, and from them you can watch the storks on their nests, particularly in spring, with views across the Kasbah and Mellah towards the Atlas Mountains on clear days.

Facilities are generous for a hotel of this size. There is a restaurant with a menu that changes daily, based on fresh local produce, a spa offering massage and beauty treatments, a traditional hammam and a jacuzzi. A boutique sells locally made crafts, and a dedicated concierge team can arrange guides, excursions and restaurant bookings. Reception is staffed around the clock, which is reassuring for late arrivals.

The hotel suits couples and travellers who want a quieter base close to the main southern sights, as well as visitors interested in history, since the Kasbah, the palaces and the Mellah are all on the doorstep. Its small size means it books up in high season, so reserve early for spring and autumn. Ask about room types when booking, as they vary in size and outlook.

Rue de Berima runs along the edge of the Mellah, between El Badi Palace and the Bahia Palace. El Badi Palace is a few minutes' walk away, the Saadian Tombs and Bab Agnaou are slightly further west, and the Bahia Palace is a short walk north. Jemaa el-Fnaa is about fifteen to twenty minutes on foot. Taxis can usually reach the area, which makes arrival and departure easier than at riads deep in the northern lanes. Kosybar and the rooftop cafés of Place des Ferblantiers are close by for an evening drink. Arrival times can be shared with the reception team in advance, who can advise on the best drop-off point.