MY STORY
Entranced by the city’s mystery, romance and exoticism. Many weeks were spent looking at riads throughout the medina, seeking places to stay far from the crowd; but still very central. My aim was to transform a riad inspired by my own passions and creativity.
At the end of an unassuming alleyway in the labyrinthine medina, through a heavy cedar wood door, I stepped into the precious remains of an ancient and truly breathtaking riad. It was built around an idyllic courtyard with its palm trees wrapped in lavish bougainvillea.
Dar Jaguar bore no resemblance to the riad hotel that it has become today, but its ‘bones’ were a perfect blend of traditional Moorish and Oriental architecture.
The aim was to create luxury rooms each with their own individual style and charm. I worked with local craftsmen and women to create authentic Moroccan furniture and detailing and combined this with heirlooms and antique ornaments sourced from around the world.
A Moroccan home would not be bone fide without walls of tadlekt. A magnificent coating material named after the craft of “tadlekt” which translates as “to rub in”. A painstakingly skilled craft using lime and olive soap, which is then hand polished with river stones to acquire its waterproof and luxurious appearance. I loved choosing the distinctive vintage colour palette for each room and watching these artists perfect the shades of tadlekt by adding colour, drop by drop. The walls were gloriously glossy and felt undulatingly soft to touch.
Each room has exquisitely engraved plasterwork, crafted by breathtakingly talented artists whose families have been undertaking this intricate work for generations. The sculpture work of the most ancient rooms was restored to perfection and their arches fortified and re-shaped. Although inherited from Roman and Byzantine architecture, the Moroccans established their own sophisticated Islamic arches, which no riad should be without.
With a heady mix of 1001 Nights and the Romantic poets imprinted on my mind, I strew the beds with antique and silk textile cushions. The bedrooms are softly lit with Byzantine inspired, jewel coloured Syrian hanging lamps, for which every bead and crystal was hand chosen.
The bathroom walls, baths and showers are lavished with yet more sumptuous polished tadlekt. Authentic, natural bejmat tiling covers the floors and dual pure copper basins with exquisite hand made brass lights, for me, give the signature seductively Oriental ambience.
Following a romantic getaway in Marrakech, I remained entranced by the city’s mystery, romance and exoticism. I felt that I couldn’t leave without holding on to a piece of this magic world and so spent many weeks looking at riads throughout the medina looking for places to stay far from the crowd, but still very central…
Most of the Marrakech riads were completely renovated, sparkly and ready for occupation. None had made my heart sing at full force, perhaps because I wanted to create one of the best riads in Marrakech and transform a riad inspired by my own passions and creativity.
And then, at the end of an unassuming alleyway in the labyrinthine medina, and in the perfect location to create one of the best riads in Marrakech, I stepped through a heavy cedar wood door into the precious remains of an ancient and truly breathtaking riad. It was built around an idyllic courtyard with its palm trees wrapped in lavish bougainvillea.
The riad bore no resemblance to the riad hotel that it has become today, but its ‘bones’ were a perfect blend of traditional Moorish and Oriental architecture. It had many exquisite features that immediately captured my imagination – a majestic room on the first floor with stately high ceilings, historic and intricately carved wood, plasterwork and tadlekt – all in need of delicate and loving restoration. This was to become my ‘Royal Suite’, the best place for romantic weekend getaways.
There was also an outside wall that was perfect for me to design and build the romantic, Romeo and Juliet balcony I had always dreamed of stepping on to. And then there was the rooftop terrace from where everyone can delight in the Red City’s sunset over the mosque and hear the resounding call the prayer.
This was true romance. I was in love and it would take the next 12 months to create Dar Jaguar, my very own slice of Quixotic heaven…
Lucia x
Choose from these magical, stylish activities and services:
Exclusive Use of Dar Jaguar for a long weekend (or more)
Accommodation for 10 Friends in five luxury rooms (more accommodation can be arranged if required)
Four Professional Staff at your personal service, including a talented cook and night security
A delicious, fresh Breakfast every morning on the rooftop terrace
A Private Cooking Lesson with a shopping trip and a 3 course
An exotic Full Day Excursion out of Marrakech to the mountains, waterfalls, the desert or the seaside
Camel Rides and sand dune buggying!
A Private Professional Guided Tour of the best of the souks and the finest cultural and historical sites
An hour’s Full Body Massage or Facial
A Private Group Belly Dancing Lesson
A Private Group Yoga Lesson
Henna Tattooing for those wanting to return with an exotic imprint…
Evenings organised to get the best out of the Nightlife and Marrakech party scene
Our renowned “1001 Nights Banquet” with Magical Dar Jaguar Entertainments
For further details regarding your Hen Weekend in Marrakech, please email us at info@darjaguar.com.
You can truly feel that the owner has put her heart and soul into Dar Jaguar.
From the exquisite attention to detail in the stylish decor to the beautifully presented and delicious food; from the care the owner takes making personal contact with you at the start of your adventure to the staff for whom nothing is too much trouble – this is an absolute jewel in the medina.
You can truly feel that the owner has put her heart and soul into Dar Jaguar.
From the exquisite attention to detail in the stylish decor to the beautifully presented and delicious food; from the care the owner takes making personal contact with you at the start of your adventure to the staff for whom nothing is too much trouble – this is an absolute jewel in the medina.
You can truly feel that the owner has put her heart and soul into Dar Jaguar.
From the exquisite attention to detail in the stylish decor to the beautifully presented and delicious food; from the care the owner takes making personal contact with you at the start of your adventure to the staff for whom nothing is too much trouble – this is an absolute jewel in the medina.
Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served.
But all other pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness before service which is rendered in a spirit of joy.
Mahatma Ghandi
Entranced by the city’s mystery, romance and exoticism. Many weeks were spent looking at riads throughout the medina, seeking places to stay far from the crowd; but still very central. My aim was to transform a riad inspired by my own passions and creativity.
At the end of an unassuming alleyway in the labyrinthine medina, through a heavy cedar wood door, I stepped into the precious remains of an ancient and truly breathtaking riad. It was built around an idyllic courtyard with its palm trees wrapped in lavish bougainvillea.