If we were ever to dream of owning our own riad in Marrakech, we would design it in the exact style of Riad Sakkan. Step just one foot across the threshold and you’ll never want to go home again. Sak-kan means something like “house” or “home,” a place where you feel good. And at Riad (Hotel) Sakkan, they truly do everything to make that happen.
Sakkan is located in what we’d call the arty part of the medina – the Mousassine district (just a five-minute walk from Jemaa el-Fna). Here you’ll find several art galleries and trendy pop-up stores focused on fashion and interior design. And then suddenly you find yourself in a huge, stunning riad, exactly like the ones you know from Marrakech coffee-table books. The historic building features two patios and was completely renovated in 2019 to become Riad Sakkan. One patio has a water feature, the other a heated pool surrounded by black-and-white tiles and mustard-yellow sunbeds. From the top arches to the ground floor there is lush greenery everywhere and the many golden details add an extra sense of luxury. All the authentic elements of the building have been preserved, showcasing its immense charm.
On the rooftop, with olive green loungers, linen parasols and black-and-white striped cushions, everything is perfectly curated. Plus you have an amazing view of the medina. In the restaurant area, which seats 50 guests, we sink into the soft cushions of the lounge space, while table lamps and long linen curtains create even more atmosphere.
After a tour of the various floors, home to 12 rooms that can accommodate 26 guests, a relaxation area, a library, the sun terrace with heated pool and even a few roaming turtles, we are welcomed by Tom and Veerle, the founders of Sakkan, originally from Antwerp. They tell us how they fell in love with Marrakech, how they shaped their hotel from scratch and about their expansion plans for the coming years (another riad is on the way!). Marrakech is growing rapidly, you can notice it all around and Sakkan is growing along with it.
Riad Sakkan Marrakech
43 Rue Sidi el Yamani
Marrakech 40000
