Riad Le Bel Oranger, Marrakesh, Morocco

In the loud, busy and often overwhelming medina of Marrakesh, it can be difficult to find a tiny sliver of solace in which to rest after spending hours negotiating for the best market prices. But one riad truly exemplifies the characteristic of “tucked away,” as it’s located a few connected alleyways from the noise and congestion.

Riad Le Bel Oranger is a humble three-story guest house in traditional riad style with a central courtyard where open space extends multiple floors above. Guests will receive a smile and a welcome mint tea from the exuberant hosts and, upon request, a hearty Moroccan meal from the staff chef, a Moroccan woman who can whip up anything on the multi-page menu. The rooftop lounge provides views of minarets spread across the city as well as the desert stars at night.

As guests in the riad, visitors to Marrakesh will have at their disposal a wealth of local knowledge via the two friendly and personable hosts. They can help guests arrange daytrips, make appointments at hammams, book tables at local-but-not-touristy restaurants and offer tips on everything from what time to visit the Jardin Majorelle to avoid the lines to acquiring a SIM card in order to use data while in Morocco.

Accessing the bustling medina requires just five minutes of walking, and the main square in Marrakesh is about 10 to 15 minutes on foot. The hosts provide detailed walking directions for the medina as Google Maps hasn’t quite been able to accurately navigate the dense car-less zone.