Riad Terra Bahia

Marrakesh may not be Morocco’s biggest city, but it may be the most characterful. Its past as the religious, cultural and intellectual capital of Morocco still reverberates in the walls of the 'Red City'. The bustling medina feels like a place that preserves the enigma of another time. It's a real party for the senses.

When you're surrounded by all this stimulation, we've learnt you need a deeply relaxing hotel where you can recharge. This was part of the reason we were attracted to the Riad Terra Bahia. With just six suites, the hotel has a peaceful and intimate feel, as though we were guests in a friend's home – a very rich friend who treated us like royalty.

Riads are beautiful buildings. Their design reflects a modest Islamic tradition. By having no windows on the outside there is no show of the wealth of the owners within. Rather, you enter a secret world of opulence. A riad's windows face an interior atrium and courtyard, which also means the building is blissfully quiet. The staff greeted us warmly and we were shown to our suite. Tastefully and luxuriously decorated in a Judeo-Arabic style, we felt enveloped in the world of One-Thousand-and-One-Nights.

We settled ourselves in with the help of mint tea on the veranda. Brazen bougainvillea and jasmine were part of the green shade and colourful flowers around us. The view was outstanding. The tranquil courtyard, roofs of the old town and the Atlas Mountains in the distance made for mesmerising surroundings. The room was spacious and had an exotic and calm ambience. Our bathroom was gorgeous, in a rustic sandy red plaster, with the soft shapes of Arabic design, a huge walk-in shower and brightly coloured mosaics in the sink.

The whole riad felt inviting and friendly. There were plenty of cosy spots to sit and relax in. Breakfast and dinner were served in the inner courtyard and meals were always fresh and delicious. Sitting surrounded by candlelight and music, we were transported into another world. The Riad Terra Bahia was a relaxing haven in the middle of mad and magical Marrakesh.