Struggling to pick between a riad hotel in the thick of the action, or one of the colossal resorts with swimming pools and acres of gardens on the outskirts of the city? La Sultana offers the best of both worlds. Still centrally located—it’s tucked away in the heart of the old Medina, near some of the city’s most significant historic sites, including the Saadian Tombs and Bahia Palace—it also feels reassuringly removed, not least thanks to the enormous rooftop terrace that covers all five of the adjoining and artfully seamed together riads that make up the hotel. (In fact, it’s the largest hotel roof terrace in the area, with some 2,000 square feet of lush gardens, plunge pools, dining areas, and even an outdoor kitchen for cooking classes.)
Equally as impressive as the scale of the place, however, is the attention to detail. First, in the dazzling craftsmanship—hand-carved wooden doors, marble staircases, vaulted ceilings, zellij tiling, you name it—that adorns every surface, lending it the feel of having stepped into the world’s biggest jewel box. Just as thoughtful and painstaking is the service: upon arrival, our bags were whisked away by porters in delightful red cloaks and matching fez caps, and we were led up to a leafy seating area overlooking the city to complete our check-in over Moroccan mint tea. And while the communal areas can be overwhelming in their exotic opulence—each riad courtyard has its own, eye-popping design scheme—the bedrooms are intentionally more cozy, with walls painted soothing shades of crimson and purple, and plush king-sized beds for when you want to close the shutters, light the candles, and rest after a long day of wandering the souks.
Photo: Courtesy of La Sultana
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