P'TIT HABIBI
Stylish little Eden tucked into the Marrakech Medina.
The name means Little Darling – and you’ll soon see what makes P’tit Habibi so adorable. From the petal-strewn splash pool on the top floor, the view across the rooftops of old Marrakech is a winner.
So too is P’tit Habibi’s cool white courtyard, where you can lounge on huge cushions, sip mint tea and enjoy a private cinema screening by starlight and flickering candles. With just four bedrooms, this small but jewel-like riad has all the feel of an exotic private house – so you could always bring a few close friends and throw your own house party.
Tucked into the north end of the Medina, the house springs some surprises as you enter from the chaotic and dusty city streets. Inside, clean-cut Nordic cool (the owner is Norwegian) mixes with authentic Medina in a fusion of Moroccan trad and trendy.
Hit the Spot
A 20 minute walk from Djemma el Fna square.
Bedtime
Go for the balconied White Room, with its cushion-strewn daybed.
Be savvy
The setting is authentic Medina – complete with morning cockerels and calls to prayer.
Be smitten
P’tit piece of paradise.
Home from home
Choosing your quarters for the night is a tough call. There’s the aptly-named Love Nest – just room for the two of you and the big crisply dressed double bed – or the pink Peruche room with its big vaulted bathroom and extrovert bird motifs. The slinky White Room has a fireplace and French balcony as well as a deliciously private cushion-strewn daybed. The quirky-retro Wangarata suite meanwhile sports moose antlers over the bed, American pinball mirrors in the bathroom and ‘60s Moroccan photographs.
What else? There’s a cosy salon whose retro bucket chairs come decked in dayglo florals, and an open fireplace for cool winter nights. You’ll find shady sofas up on the roof – perfect for curling up with a book – and – should your own turtle dove desert you – a friendly pet turtle called Shukram. Play tunes on the iPod in the lounge, help yourselves to drinks in the kitchen, order in some pizzas or sit down to a home-cooked dinner… it’s your P’tit home-from-home.
Peerless hospitality is the other big pull here. Guests rave about the riad’s hosts Abdeloufi and Fatima, for whom nothing, it seems, is too much trouble. Whether it’s breakfast in the courtyard, champagne on the rooftop or a private courtyard screening of a Hollywood classic – your ever obliging hosts will be there to make it happen.
P'tit Habibi was reviewed by Room For Romance
So too is P’tit Habibi’s cool white courtyard, where you can lounge on huge cushions, sip mint tea and enjoy a private cinema screening by starlight and flickering candles. With just four bedrooms, this small but jewel-like riad has all the feel of an exotic private house – so you could always bring a few close friends and throw your own house party.
Tucked into the north end of the Medina, the house springs some surprises as you enter from the chaotic and dusty city streets. Inside, clean-cut Nordic cool (the owner is Norwegian) mixes with authentic Medina in a fusion of Moroccan trad and trendy.
Hit the Spot
A 20 minute walk from Djemma el Fna square.
Bedtime
Go for the balconied White Room, with its cushion-strewn daybed.
Be savvy
The setting is authentic Medina – complete with morning cockerels and calls to prayer.
Be smitten
P’tit piece of paradise.
Home from home
Choosing your quarters for the night is a tough call. There’s the aptly-named Love Nest – just room for the two of you and the big crisply dressed double bed – or the pink Peruche room with its big vaulted bathroom and extrovert bird motifs. The slinky White Room has a fireplace and French balcony as well as a deliciously private cushion-strewn daybed. The quirky-retro Wangarata suite meanwhile sports moose antlers over the bed, American pinball mirrors in the bathroom and ‘60s Moroccan photographs.
What else? There’s a cosy salon whose retro bucket chairs come decked in dayglo florals, and an open fireplace for cool winter nights. You’ll find shady sofas up on the roof – perfect for curling up with a book – and – should your own turtle dove desert you – a friendly pet turtle called Shukram. Play tunes on the iPod in the lounge, help yourselves to drinks in the kitchen, order in some pizzas or sit down to a home-cooked dinner… it’s your P’tit home-from-home.
Peerless hospitality is the other big pull here. Guests rave about the riad’s hosts Abdeloufi and Fatima, for whom nothing, it seems, is too much trouble. Whether it’s breakfast in the courtyard, champagne on the rooftop or a private courtyard screening of a Hollywood classic – your ever obliging hosts will be there to make it happen.
P'tit Habibi was reviewed by Room For Romance
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Dining in
You’ll feel more like a welcome guest in a family home here. Dine on traditional Moroccan dishes such as lamb tagine or couscous with caramelized onions and free range chicken. The breakfast pancakes are excellent, too. Choose your own setting, whether it’s rooftop, courtyard or balcony: your hosts are keen to make this a unique experience.
Dining out
There are scores of great local eateries nearby. Head for Café Poste and zen-style Kechmara for lunch or brunch, and book a table at local favourite Le Foundouk for an intimate rooftop dinner.
Where?
P’tit Habibi
What’s cooking?
Delicious Moroccan dishes – sweet lamb tagine and fish kofta.
Dress the part
As laidback as you like.
Top table?
A deux in your room, or on the rooftop terrace at sunset.
See & Do
Dodge the donkeys, carts and mopeds to dive the city’s Medina maze, with its kaleidoscope of colours, then hop into a horse-drawn calèche (Marrakech’s version of the gondola) for a ride around town.
If the hustle-bustle gets too much, stroll through the Musée d’art Islamique, or the leafy Majorelle gardens. You could also take a day trip to the coast and chill out on the beach at Sidi Kaouki, or make a run for the hills and arrange a 4WD safari in the Atlas Mountains.
Shop
Root around for carpets, silver, leather, spices, earthenware and baboushes (slippers) in the labyrinthine covered markets leading off Djemma el Fna square, where you’ll need to brush up on your bartering skills.
After dark
Take in the free entertainment at Djemma el Fna square – dancers, snake charmers, acrobats and more. Ready to chill? Pick a DVD and set up your own cinema paradiso in the courtyard at P’tit Habibi, where you can settle back on some giant floor cushions and enjoy, with a local Casablanca beer. Pizzas and burgers from nearby Beb Tar Zout can be delivered to your door.
Dates
June
Hundreds of acts ranging from local musicians to international big names take to the stage at Essaouira’s Gnaoua Music Festival.
December
Check out the stars of tomorrow at the Marrakech International Film Festival.
GETTING THERE
Location
Bis Sidi Ghanem, Zaoula Bab Lakhmis, 40000 Marrakech
Parking
There is nearby parking for EUR 2 a day.
Trains
Marrakech central station – 5km
Taxis
EUR 15 from the station. Your hosts will be happy to arrange your airport transfers.
Airport
Marrakech Menara – 10km
Rooms and suites
Three rooms and one suite
Special features
There’s free wi-fi access and a Bose iPod base station in the lounge. Outdoor cinema viewing can be arranged in the courtyard.
Also…
Take a dip in the rooftop splash pool, or recline on shady sofas.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 90 - 170
Open/closed
Closed for three weeks in August.
Check-in
Midday
Check-out
Midday
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Full breakfast is served until 10am
Room service
Available morning and evening
Children
Welcome, though P’tit Habibi was designed with adults in mind. Babysitting can be arranged on request.
Pets
No
Air conditioning
Yes – all rooms
Languages
English, French and Arabic
Wedding license?
No
Your contact
Abdeloufi – General Manager
Location
Bis Sidi Ghanem, Zaoula Bab Lakhmis, 40000 Marrakech
Parking
There is nearby parking for EUR 2 a day.
Trains
Marrakech central station – 5km
Taxis
EUR 15 from the station. Your hosts will be happy to arrange your airport transfers.
Airport
Marrakech Menara – 10km
Rooms and suites
Three rooms and one suite
Special features
There’s free wi-fi access and a Bose iPod base station in the lounge. Outdoor cinema viewing can be arranged in the courtyard.
Also…
Take a dip in the rooftop splash pool, or recline on shady sofas.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 90 - 170
Open/closed
Closed for three weeks in August.
Check-in
Midday
Check-out
Midday
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Full breakfast is served until 10am
Room service
Available morning and evening
Children
Welcome, though P’tit Habibi was designed with adults in mind. Babysitting can be arranged on request.
Pets
No
Air conditioning
Yes – all rooms
Languages
English, French and Arabic
Wedding license?
No
Your contact
Abdeloufi – General Manager
