When I first went into what is today the Riad du Ciel, or Riad of the Sky, I was struck by the marvelous sky of Marrakech which gently illuminated the patio: the direct contact between earth and sky. As I built the upper floor which was missing, I thought sadly that the sky would be further away, distant, out of reach. But it wasn't! The sky is still present, it enters the rooms on the upper floor; the sky envelops you from the terrace which overlooks the old town to the surrounding mountains and the magnificent snow-capped Atlas; you can reach it, almost touch it.

The Riad du Ciel is a late-nineteenth-century Moroccan house that has been restored but keeps intact the features of a traditional riad: it has five comfortable rooms and offers its guests the style, the welcome and the elegance of a private home.

The Riad du Ciel is situated in the heart of the Medina, or old town, close to the Medersa Ben Youssef and the Museum of Marrakech, about 8 minutes from Jemaa-el Fna Square. Access by car is easy.

As you cross the threshold you leave the lively, chaotic sounds of the Medina, and magically enter an atmosphere of calm, restful peace.

The ground floor opens onto a large courtyard or patio, full of light, with orange trees, a pool with comfortable seating and massaging water jets, and a relaxing outdoor seating area complete with cushions - a typical Arab "b'hou".

The patio leads into the reception room with fireplace and TV, the kitchen and the Chambre des Etoiles, or Room of the Stars. The walkway leads to the house hammam and to a separate staircase which takes you directly to the Chambre Dorée, or Gilded Room. On the first floor are three spacious rooms: la Chambre du Ciel, or Room of the Sky, and the Chambre du Soleil, or Room of the Sun, which look onto the patio and the Chambre de la Musique, or Music Room, all with private terraces.

The second floor has a terrace, one of the highest in Marrakech, with ample space for sunbathing, relaxing and just gazing at the horizon.