Dar Al Houssoun, Taroduant
Lying at the foot of the Atlas Mountains and blessed by the gulf stream from the Canaries which makes for an equitable climate in winter and a cool temperature in summer, Taroudant, with its fertile gardens and palm trees, is an ideal place for a restful holiday. Tarodaunt is just one hour from seaside Agadir and 8 hours from the Sahara Desert region.
It has historic crenellated 16th century ramparts similar to Marrakech but without the crowds and frenetic souks and the ville nouvelle. Taroudant is a town mainly located within its ancient walls and its souks are in the two main squares, Assarag and Talmoklate. There is also a weekly souk outside the city walls, near the future university but there is none of the commercialism common in the larger cities. It has the tranquil air of a small market town and its souks offer attractive handicrafts which are much less costly than in Marrakech or Fes, including intricate berber jewelry , terracotta, wrought iron, pottery, brass and copper, leather, carpets and rugs. It is possible and safe to explore the town and its 6 km of walls and ramparts by bicycle.
Taroudant has long been the resort for royalty and the jet set seeking a rest at the Gazelle D’Or, a former hunting lodge turned exclusive hotel. with delightful gardens and bungalows. There are however, also many other accommodation alternatives including a number of riads and guesthouses which offer a range of attractive accommodation options.
Riad Dar Hida, Flower Detail
Riad Hida is near the village of Souss. It has 14 rooms and has an outdoor pool with a furnished terrace and a Moroccan style garden. All the air-conditioned rooms at the Riad Hida are decorated in a traditional Moroccan style. They are equipped with a private terrace and a bathroom. Some rooms have a seating area. Riad Hida’s restaurant serves traditional Moroccan cuisine. Guests can enjoy a drink in the bar or on the sun terrace. There is a palm tree garden with fountains for guests to relax in. Riad Hida provides free parking. It is 30 km from the south of the Anti Atlas and 45 km from Taroudant. This majestic Riad is a former residence of the Pasha Glaoui.
Dar al Hossoun is a traditionally built riad, with rammed earth, close to the ramparts and has extensive botanical gardens containing more than 900 different species of plants collected from all over the world by landscape architects, Eric Ossart and Arnaud Mauriere. The property is divided into two, the Al Hossoun and Al Borj. Two swimming pools, a Spa with beauty treatments and massage and two hammams provide plenty of scope for rejuvenation and carefree relaxation. There are a number of suites and rooms to choose from. The management can arrange local trips and visits to the souks as well as riding, golf, hiking and tennis.
Dar Zahia is a traditionally built four-bedroom guesthouse. Its clay walls reflect the medina’s historic architectural style, and its patio is brimming with lush jasmine plants. It is a haven of peace in the midst of the medina and close to the souks. Dar Zahia can arrange hiking or horseback riding excursions, or you can visit the nearby Turkish baths.
Aziyade 358 Jnan si Moussa ,Derb Akka . Sip traditional Moroccan mint tea on the pink clay balconies here while taking in the Atlas mountain ranges. This small hotel of 3 rooms is only a few miles from the city’s markets, where guests can shop for local foods and crafts.
Riad Tafilag is a traditional eight room riad located between the ramparts and the Medina. It has a swimming pool and panoramic terraces with tents. Riad Tafilag offers rooms with a private terrace and free Wi-Fi.The rooms are decorated with sculptures and Moroccan textiles. They are all air conditioned and some rooms and suites have access to the patio. Breakfast is served daily and can be taken on one of the four terraces. The riad also has a restaurant with a fireplace which serves traditional Moroccan cuisine.
You can enjoy a traditional steam bath heated by a wood fire and a range of massages. Guests also have access to a large living room with satellite TV. Riad Tafilag is also close to the Assarag and Talmoklate squares and the souks. Bicycles are available free of charge.
Riad Ain Khadra , Douar Ain El M’Diour. This riad has eight rooms.Located a 10-minute drive from the centre of Taroudant. Riad Ain Khadra offers a terrace with sun beds, an outdoor swimming pool and a spa, where you can enjoy the hammam, massages and body treatments. It provides guest rooms and suites, each traditionally decorated with warm colors. All of the rooms are heated and air-conditioned, and feature a private bathroom with a shower. Some of the rooms also have a seating area. A typical Moroccan breakfast is included at Riad Ain Khadra and dinners with local specialities are also available. Meals are served in the dining room, on the patio, on the terrace or by the pool.
The riad has free Wi-Fi in public areas. Transfers and excursions can be organized, with an extra cost. Free private parking is also possible on site and the palm grove of Tioute is 35 km away.
Palais Oumensour , Borj Oumensour, Toudjent. Palais Oumensour is a 10-minute walk from the old Medina and the souks, and has a swimming pool in its garden, a terrace and a traditionally-decorated lounge with a TV corner and a library. The rooms and the suite at Palais Oumensour are air-conditioned and feature a view of the patio or the terrace. The private bathroom is fitted with a shower and includes a hairdryer. There are two superior suites and 4 junior rooms.
A traditional breakfast is served every morning. Moroccan cuisine is available in the dining area which features a view of the Atlas Mountains. Other facilities are beauty and massage treatments, a steam bath and a hot tub, available at a surcharge. There is free Wi-Fi access in the public areas.
Riad Jnane Ines, Douar Ain Lamdiour. It has eleven rooms and a large garden with an outdoor pool and lemon trees, this beautiful riad features a wellness centre featuring a jacuzzi, a hammam and massages are available on request. Guests can also relax on deckchairs by the pool.
The riad offers typical Moroccan-style suites, some of them with a terrace. All of the spacious suites at Jnane Ines are air conditioned and equipped with a minibar and a private bathroom with bathtub. One of them has a panoramic view of Taroudant and a jacuzzi. Riad Jnane Ines’s restaurant provides daily breakfast and traditional cuisine from southern Morocco. Meals can be enjoyed on the terrace overlooking the pool.
The wellness centre has a jacuzzi, a hammam and massages are available on request. The reception is open 24 hours and Jnane Ines provides free Wi-FI access in all public areas, including the common living room with couches. Free private parking is possible on site.
Dar Fatima,Tasoukt Tighzifn, is a traditional Morrocan guesthouse and has 7 rooms. It is located in the heart of Taroudant’s Medina district. It features a hammam and a large patio with a fountain. The guest rooms at Dar Fatima all have private bathrooms and are decorated in a traditional style. Each is equipped with free Wi-Fi access. The guesthouse has a large lounge area, which has a TV with satellite channels and a fireplace. Guests can enjoy Morrocan specialities for lunch and dinner, along with a daily breakfast. Dar Fatima is just a few steps from the souks. The guesthouse provides a shuttle service to Agadir city centre on request, which is an hour away. An airport shuttle service is also available.
Riad Taroudant has 16 Berber-style air conditioned rooms, with en-suite bathrooms. It is located in the midst of the Derb J’did quarter and offers guests a swimming pool for summer as well as open fireplaces for colder winter evenings, a sun-drenched roof terrace and a traditional Moroccan restaurant serving tagines, salads, couscous and kebabs.
Riad Maia,12 Tassoukt Ighezifen. Riad Maïa has 3 guest rooms with an en-suite bathroom and 2 patios. Relax on the Riad’s terraces before indulging in a traditional massage. Moroccan cuisine courses can be booked directly at the Riad. Riad Maïa’s management can help organise excursions and 4 wheel drive trips to Marrakech or Ouarzazate.
Hotel Dar Zitoune,Boutarialt El Barrania, Taroudant, is an environmentally conscious riad with 20 air conditioned Berber bungalows and suites with safety deposit box and bathroom. Beauty and body care services are available and guests can also relax in the outdoor swimming pool or heated hot tub. The restaurant offers a fusion of Moroccan and European cuisine which can also be served on the terrace or in the lounge bar. Dar Zitoune has a peaceful garden setting, just a few miles away from Taroudant.
For More Information on Riads and Guest Houses in Tarodaunt
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