THE HOUSE GALLERY

Discover Riad Atay, a boutique riad in the heart of the Marrakech Medina, through the spaces that shape the house. From the lush patio and rooftop terrace to the rooms and suites, each space brings together traditional Moroccan craftsmanship, natural materials and a quiet, contemporary approach to design.

The Patio

At the heart of Riad Atay, the patio is a quiet garden open to the sky. Banana trees, palms and climbing plants grow against hand-worked tadelakt walls, bringing shade and freshness to the house.

Rooms and suites open directly onto or overlook the patio. A green, quiet centre around which the house unfolds throughout the day.

The studded blue door and iron lantern at the entrance of Riad Atay
White arch and black pendant light in the entrance hall
The arcades of the patio, tree trunk and wooden bench
Palms and lanterns around the plunge pool of Riad Atay
The arcades reflected in the still water of the plunge pool
Wood chair against the white wall of the patio
Potted plants beneath the black iron windows of the patio
Antique carved doorway and linen curtain under the palms
Iron lantern, carved pillar and arch of the patio
Carved wooden artifact in a white alcove by the stairs
Detail of the antique carved door arch
Carved cedar panel and white curtain at the patio entrance

The Mezzanine

Overlooking the patio, the mezzanine is one of the quiet corners of the house. Open to the greenery below, it offers a different perspective on the riad and a place to sit away from the heat of the day.

Settle in with a mint tea, read a book, or simply watch the life of the house unfold below.

The mezzanine of Riad Atay — antique carved screen and wooden armchairs
Three beldi clay jars on the mezzanine
Seating corner of the mezzanine, armchairs and carved niche
Clay amphora in a lime-plaster niche
Carved grey shutters along the mezzanine gallery
Arch of the mezzanine opening above the patio
Antique grey doors and white banquette on the mezzanine
Beni Ourain wool cushions and carved stool on the banquette
Handled clay pot against the carved grey door

The Salon

Framed by a pair of vintage Moroccan doors, the salon opens directly onto the patio. At its centre, the fireplace makes it one of the most intimate spaces in the house, particularly on cooler Marrakech evenings.

A place to read, share a drink or simply slow down, surrounded by pieces collected over the years in the souks and workshops of the medina.

The salon of Riad Atay seen from the patio — antique carved door and fireplace
The salon — banquettes, black pendant lights and iron lanterns
The banquette of the salon with its tall iron lantern
Linen curtains and Berber wool rug at the salon entrance
The patio greenery seen from inside the salon
The fireplace of the salon behind linen curtains
Palm shadows and hanging lanterns at the salon entrance at dusk
The salon at dusk, warm light and lanterns
Arched alcove and pendant lights in the evening

The Terrace

Marrakech light defines the rooftop terrace from morning to sunset. With open areas and shaded corners, it is a place to spend the day above the medina — reading, resting or simply taking in the changing light.

Sunbeds offer a place to stretch out, while an outdoor shower provides a welcome way to cool down during the warmer months.

Cacti and antique clay jar on the roof terrace
Succulent leaves — detail from the terrace garden
Cacti in white pots on the rooftop terrace of Riad Atay
The outdoor shower among banana plants on the rooftop
Wooden poles and lanterns of the terrace canopy
The stone dining table on the rooftop terrace
Daybeds under the woven canopy on the roof terrace
Daybed and iron lantern under the canopy
The terrace banquette with cushions, pots and cacti

The Rooms

Each of Riad Atay’s five rooms and suites has its own character, shaped by its position within the house. Some open directly onto the patio, others overlook it from the first floor.

Hand-worked tadelakt, Moroccan textiles, vintage pieces and objects found in the souks bring together local craftsmanship and a simple, contemporary approach to design.

Room Yazir — bed under two hanging lamps, Berber rug and low table
Tadelakt bathroom of Room Yazir, iron-grille door and brass sconces
Wooden ladder and towels against a tadelakt wall
The bed of Room Zaatar with its carved low table
Handwoven diamond-pattern cushion on the bed of Room Zaatar
Iron lantern by the window — the patio greenery beyond
Tadelakt washbasin, brass tap and towels
The arched doorway of Room Zaatar onto the patio
Bed beneath a small iron window in suite Chiba
The long room of Suite Chiba, cement tiles and seating banquette
Leather pouf, wool cushions and iron lantern in the sitting corner
Tadelakt bathroom mirror and black door
The private fireplace of Suite Naana, lit
Bed with linen cushions and carved-wood lamp
The mashrabiya seen from the window of Suite Naana
Walk-in tadelakt shower with brass lantern
Suite Salmya — bed with woven wool cover and black shutters
Light through the black iron window of Suite Chiba
Suite Naana — bed, Berber rug and low carved table
The mashrabiya reading nook of Suite Salmya, with Berber wool cushions
View into the tadelakt bathroom of the suite