Riad Botanica
Moroccan art deco meets Australian maximalism. Colourful, personal, and deeply owner-led — Angela is a qualified yoga teacher, Mohammed is local and knows everyone. Feels more like staying in a well-designed home than a hotel.
Book direct on their website — they promise to beat any third-party platform rate
Why It Matters
Winner of the Tablet Hotels / Michelin Guide Best New Hotel Designs 2026. Named among the Prettiest Riads in Marrakech by Condé Nast Traveller 2025. Rated 9.8 on Booking.com. The cross-cultural owner story is genuine — they met in the souks a decade before opening this place — and it shows in how the property is run.
Riad Botanica is a six-room boutique guesthouse tucked into the Bab Doukkala quarter of Marrakech's historic medina, opened in early 2023 by Melbourne-born Angela Mellak and her Marrakchi husband Mohammed. The design hook is genuinely unusual: classic Moroccan craftsmanship — handcrafted cedar doors, zellige tiles, tadelakt walls — paired with bold Florence Broadhurst art deco wallpaper and textiles from Sydney. Every room has its own colour story and personality. At its heart is a centuries-old orange tree growing out of the courtyard next to a zellige plunge pool, and guests tend to spend a surprising amount of time just sitting near it.
Where You'll Stay
5 room types available
Nigella Deluxe Super King / Twin
Ground floor with direct access to the courtyard and pool. Blue and pink accents, Florence Broadhurst soft furnishings, and the signature French Birdcage chairs. The standout feature is the deep blue onyx bathroom — slabs of onyx in the shower and on the floating vanity that multiple reviewers call 'the highlight of a stay at Riad Botanica.'
Super King (convertible to twin)Orange Blossom Deluxe Super King / Twin
First floor, with direct access to the central orange tree and a private sitting area plus balcony overlooking the courtyard and pool. The room is anchored by French Birdcage chairs and bold Florence Broadhurst wallpaper. The ensuite bathroom is done in orange and gold tadelakt with marble shower surfaces and brass fixtures — warm and spacious.
Super King (convertible to twin)
Pomegranate Luxury King
Ground floor, direct courtyard and pool access. Pink, green, and blue palette with blush Portuguese marble floors and Florence Broadhurst wallpaper. The bathroom is finished floor-to-ceiling in green onyx and features a generously wide shower (over 90 cm) with accessibility provisions including a wheeled shower chair option — making this the most accessible room in the property.
King
Rose Beldi Luxury King
First floor, bright and airy with courtyard and pool views via direct orange tree access. The palette runs gold, pink, and grey. Florence Broadhurst fabric-covered bench at the foot of the bed and matching wallpaper. The ensuite is large by riad standards — soft pink tadelakt walls with zellige tile detailing.
KingZahara Deluxe Two Bedroom Apartment
First floor with a private staircase entrance, separate lounge, kitchenette, and a Juliet wooden balcony with direct views of the orange tree and pool. Sleeps up to 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children (infant portacot available). The super king bedroom has emerald green velvet cushions; the bunk room has adult-size bunks that guests describe as cocooning. Shared bathroom done in sunlit yellow tadelakt with Carrara marble shower. 'Zahara' means blossoming flower in Arabic.
Super King + Adult Bunk BedsThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
1-hour flight at 1,000m altitude facing the Atlas Mountains, with 4×4 transport, pre-flight tea and coffee, flight certificate, and a Berber breakfast served in a kasbah afterwards. Multiple tiers available: Vol Classique (€200/person), Private Flight (€530), Exotic Flight (€630), and Royal Flight (€630).
A traditional Marrakech hlayki (storyteller) performs inside the riad while guests enjoy a 3-course dinner prepared by Chef Fatima. The 1,000-year-old storytelling tradition of Morocco, practised in public squares, brought to an intimate riad setting. Open to non-guests. €60/person, minimum 6 guests.
Traditional Moroccan mint tea prepared and served by staff, with the option to learn the tea-making ritual yourself. Usually enjoyed in the courtyard by the pool under the orange tree.
Open to non-guests. Day access to the courtyard plunge pool and daybeds, plus a 2-course lunch served poolside or on the rooftop. Menu includes Moroccan salads, seasonal tagines (chicken, beef, lamb, fish, or vegetarian), and dessert. Caters for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free. Subject to availability.
Curated shopping and design discovery tours through Marrakech's souks and artisan workshops. Two formats: Mini Muse (3-night short version) and Muse Marrakech InStyle (extended immersive version with exclusive artisan access). Booked via marrakechretreats.co.
Open-air courtyard practice on a floating teaching platform. Mats and music provided. Suitable for up to 12 people. Angela Mellak, co-founder and qualified Gita Yoga teacher, runs and hosts sessions. Residential yoga and Pilates retreats are available via marrakechretreats.co.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
The Pomegranate King Room features a bathroom with over 90cm shower width compatible with a wheeled shower chair, designed for guests with mobility needs.
Art deco-styled rooftop with an iconic green marble bar (brass-edged, honed green marble), three handmade black-and-white bar stools, sun loungers, and a daybed. Views of the Bab Doukkala minaret and surrounding rooftops. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Courtyard plunge pool lined with traditional zellige tiles, with daybeds, benourain oversized cushions, and towels. Situated beneath the original orange tree. Also open to non-guests via Pool Pass.
Fully equipped kitchenette in the Zahara two-bedroom apartment, including washing machine.
Medical-grade memory foam mattresses with toppers and protectors, feather and non-allergenic pillow options, and luxury linen throughout.
In-room toiletries by Thalia Skincare (Australian), organic and plant-based.
24/7 front desk with WhatsApp support. Staff will meet guests and escort them through the medina alleyways to the riad.
Paid airport transfer from/to Marrakech-Menara Airport (5 km). Private chauffeur-driven transfers can also be included in honeymoon packages.
Open-air courtyard with a floating teaching platform for yoga and Pilates sessions of up to 12 people. Mats and music provided.
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