Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Riad Awaits in Marrakech's Ourika Valley
Escape to Paradise: My Surprisingly Surreal Moroccan Riad Adventure in the Ourika Valley (And Why This Place Messed With My Head!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your typical travel review. This is me, freshly back from Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Riad Awaits in Marrakech's Ourika Valley, and I'm still unpacking not just my suitcase, but my mind. Forget perfectly sculpted sentences and polished superlatives. This is going to be real.
First off, that name? "Escape to Paradise"? Overused, right? I rolled my eyes when I booked. But by the time I left, I was seriously questioning if I'd accidentally stumbled into a glitch in the Matrix.
So, Let's Talk Accessibility & Safety (Before We Get to the Weirdness):
Accessibility: Okay, look, if you're in a wheelchair, this place is…tricky. While they claimed to have facilities for disabled guests, navigating the winding paths and uneven surfaces of a traditional riad is a challenge. There is an elevator, thank god, or I'd be writing this from a hospital bed after trying to scale the stairs with my dodgy knee. So, while not ideal, it's… passable, if you're up for some mild adventure, and the staff were phenomenally helpful trying to accommodate my mobility limitations.
Cleanliness & Safety (Because, You Know, The World): They were SERIOUS about hygiene. No slacking here. Lots of hand sanitizer, staff masked up, and a constant flow of cleaning happening. They even had that UV sterilizing equipment thing you see in hospitals. Room sanitization was offered, and I opted in - because, honestly, COVID made me a nervous wreck. They ticked all the boxes: daily disinfection, anti-viral products, professional grade cleaning. Felt safe. Maybe too safe?
Safety & Security: 24-hour security, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms… the works. Felt safer than my own apartment building. CCTV everywhere too. Even outside my door, this felt a bit…much.
Internet (Or, The Great Wi-Fi Saga):
"Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" the brochure chirped. Lies, I tell you, lies! Okay, it wasn't a complete disaster. The Wi-Fi worked, sometimes. But it was spotty, constantly dropping out, and generally as reliable as a caffeine addict on a Tuesday. I did get one email sent (a feat in itself) but I had to resort to using the patchy LAN in the room. Public areas were a bit of a crapshoot too, but at least they tried.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Mostly Delicious, Occasionally Perplexing):
Alright, this is where things got interesting. Food, glorious food! They nailed the dining.
Restaurants: Several restaurants. And a very competent Western cuisine restaurant. I'm a simple gal: breakfast buffet - nailed it. And the "a la carte" menu was excellent. Breakfasts were epic. I especially loved the fresh fruit and pastries, followed by the omelets. Also, the options for Asian cuisines were top-notch too. Seriously, the Pad Thai was better than some places in Thailand… what the hell was this place?
Bars and Lounges: The poolside bar was my go-to. Happy hour was definitely happy, strong drinks, beautiful views. I spent a good chunk of my time sprawled out on a sun lounger, cocktail in hand, questioning my life choices (in a good way).
Room Service: 24-hour. Lifesaver, especially after those late-night explorations of the local markets. Bonus points for bringing me a bottle of water at 3 am (because jet lag is a cruel mistress).
Drinks and Snacks: Bottled water was plentiful (a must in the heat). They had pretty much everything else. I found the coffee shop good for an afternoon pick-me-up.
What to Do (Or, How I Lost Track of Time and My Sanity):
Spa & Relaxation (The Good Stuff!): This is where the "paradise" hype started to make sense. The spa was INSANE. Seriously, a proper spa. They had a steam room, a sauna, a pool with a view – basically, a whole complex dedicated to making you melt into a puddle of relaxation. I shelled out for a massage, a body scrub, and a wrap, and I think I achieved full-body nirvana. The foot bath was a particularly lovely touch. The Spa was so good that it’s worth it to stay in this place solely to experience this.
Swimming Pool (Outdoor): Stunning. Just glorious, with that view. I spent hours floating around, pretending I was a Bond girl (or at least someone slightly more glamorous than me).
Fitness Center: I, uh, maybe glanced inside the gym once. Okay, twice. And promptly went back to the poolside bar. (Hey, I'm on vacation!)
The Rooms: Paradise is, at times, a bit rough around the edges:
- First Impressions: Room decorations were beautiful, the views stunning, and everything was so thoughtfully arranged… It was charming. This room had everything, like all the things that make a hotel stay comfortable (in-room safe, air conditioning, complimentary tea, and a mini-bar); I mean, pretty much everything that you could want.
- The Little Quirks: My bathroom phone didn't work. I'm not sure I know how to use a bathroom phone (does anyone?). The water pressure was weak. And the "extra-long bed" felt more like a regular-long bed. The linens were nice, but the carpet felt a little worn
- The Oddities: The complimentary tea. Oh gods, the complimentary tea. They gave me the BEST tea, and I’m an avid tea-drinker. But it came with these tiny, delicate cups that I was terrified of breaking. Every cup was a high-stakes operation!
Services and Conveniences (The Unexpected Gems):
- Concierge: Super helpful, sorted out a car to the airport, recommended some great local hikes.
- Meeting/Banquet Facilities: Look, I didn't attend any meetings, but they were there.
- Business Facilities: Yeah, there's a place where you can xerox/fax.
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service: They had it!
- Family/child friendly: Yeah, they catered well to children.
- Kids meal: If your child doesn't eat, I'm sure they'd adapt.
- Kids facilities: There were kids' facilities
Getting Around:
- Airport Transfer: Smooth and easy.
- Car park (on-site, free of charge).
- Taxi service: Readily available.
- Bicycle parking: Yes.
The Biggest Question: Should You Go?
Here's the thing: Escape to Paradise definitely delivered on many levels. The food was fantastic, the spa was heavenly, the location was breathtaking. But the "dream riad" label? A bit much. This place is more a surreal, slightly imperfect, but ultimately delightful experience.
It's a place where the Wi-Fi might fail you, but the hospitality won't. Where the rooms might have a few quirks, but the views will take your breath away. Where you might lose track of time (and maybe a little bit of your sanity), but you'll leave feeling refreshed, relaxed, and utterly changed.
Final Verdict: Go. Just go. But pack a good book, a sense of adventure, and a healthy dose of humor. And maybe, just maybe, you'll understand why I'm still scratching my head and smiling a week later.
Davos Luxury: Unforgettable Hotel Ochsen Stay (Mountain Hotels)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is Marrakech, baby. This is life, with all the sticky dates, questionable tagines, and soul-stirring chaos you can handle. And trust me, in Riad Dar Ourika, you're going to need to handle a lot.
Riad Dar Ourika: MY Marrakech Mayhem (and How I Survived!)
(Day 1: Arrival & The Great Mint Tea Debacle – A Love Story?)
10:00 AM (ish) - Touchdown in Marrakech! Okay, so the flight was delayed. Naturally. Of course it was. Smells of jet fuel and nervous anticipation. Honestly, I’m already sweating… and that’s before I even hit the Moroccan heat. The airport felt like a sauna crossed with a souk – a sensory overload of noise, smells, and the intense stares of taxi drivers. "Madame, taxi? Madame!" I'm not even sure what the word Madame even means in their language, but hey, I'm learning, one terrifying taxi ride at a time.
11:00 AM - The Riad Revelation. Found it! Dar Ourika. Thank God for Google Maps (and the helpful guy I bribed with a fiver to carry my suitcase). The door… just a plain, unassuming door in a side alley. I was skeptical. Really skeptical. I imagined a storage closet, but NO. Inside? A glorious, hidden oasis. A courtyard with a fountain, the scent of orange blossom, and… silence. Glorious, blissful silence. I think I actually sighed with relief. Until…
11:30 AM - Mint Tea Misadventure. Okay, so it's the classic welcome, the ritual. Mint tea. Sweet, delicious, supposed to be the epitome of Moroccan hospitality. It looked amazing. The riad owner, Mohammed (a genuinely lovely guy with a twinkle in his eye), poured it with the flourish of a seasoned magician. I took a sip… and my face contorted into a mask of pure horror. It. Was. So. Sweet. It was like drinking liquid sugar. I tried to choke it back, desperately hoping to maintain face, but I ended up coughing and sputtering all over myself and their beautiful, silk carpet. Mortality! I think I might have died. Mohammed? He just chuckled kindly. Okay, okay, I'll learn to love it…. eventually. (Spoiler alert: I did. It was the sugar rush that got me. It's a love-hate relationship.)
1:00 PM - Lunch: The First TASTE of Morocco The first tagine! I ordered the lamb with prunes and almonds. It was the richest thing I've ever eaten. I could barely move when I was done. Definitely not the most elegant eater, a little piece of lamb stuck to my chin, but, It was incredible. The way the spices bloomed on my tongue, the tender meat… heaven on a plate. I immediately started thinking about when I will order another one.
3:00 PM - Souk Stroll: Sensory Overload. The souks! Oh, the souks. It's like a Disney ride, but for your eyeballs and your nose. Spices piled high, the smell of leather, the insistent calls of the vendors. "Beautiful lady, come see!" "Special price, madame!" It's overwhelming, exhilarating, and exhausting all at once. I got hustled BIG TIME. But hey, at least I have a ridiculously oversized scarf I'll probably never wear, and the story to go with it. I met a lady selling rugs. She had the most amazing eyes and the most incredible stories. I didn't buy a rug, but I spent an hour just chatting with her, and it was worth every penny. (Which was none, but still!)
6:00 PM- Rooftop Sunset & a Moment. Back at the Riad. Sunset over the city. The call to prayer echoing. It's moments like these, the sheer beauty of it all, that make you forget the jet lag, the haggling, the sugar shock. Breathtaking. I am not sure what to do with my life anymore.
8:00 PM - Dinner at a Local Restaurant: A Culinary Leap of Faith. Okay, so I ventured out alone to a tiny, hole-in-the-wall place recommended by Mohammed. (Trust the locals, they know what they're talking about). I ordered something called "Mechoui." I had NO idea what it was. Basically, slow-roasted lamb. It was… amazing. I mean, I felt like I was eating a feast. I devoured the whole thing. Then I felt incredibly tired and in need of another mint tea.
(Day 2: Jardin Majorelle, A Hammam Humiliation, and the Unbearable Lightness of Being… Lost.)
9:00 AM - Jardin Majorelle: Blue Heaven. Okay, this was the highlight of the trip. The vibrant blue, the lush greenery, the sheer tranquility after the chaos of the souk. It was pure magic. I spent hours wandering around, trying to soak it all in. I sat on a bench, and just watched the light dance on the leaves. I bought a postcard, because I’m old school.
12:00 PM - Hammam: The Scrubbing Incident! It was a traditional hammam experience. I booked a "luxury" one because, hey, I'm on vacation! They showed me to a steaming hot room, where a woman started scrubbing me with the force of a small hurricane. Aaaaaaaa. It was a love/hate relationship with the entire experience. The moment when your face is completely covered in soap, and you're basically blind? Terrifying. The moment when you emerge, clean, and smelling of roses? Pure bliss.
3:00 PM - The "Lost in the Medina" Adventure. I had every intention of returning to Dar Ourika, but I'm not super directionally gifted. I got lost. Properly, spectacularly lost. For hours. I wandered down winding alleys, asked for directions (which often led me further astray), and eventually, I just gave in. I accepted my fate of spending the rest of my life in the medina… okay, that’s probably exaggerating, but it felt like it. Eventually, after much wandering and a lot of awkward hand gestures, I found my way back.
6:00 PM - Rooftop Relaxation (and Therapy): Back at the Riad, I found myself on the roof with Mohammed again. He seemed unfazed by my dramatic retelling of my getting lost. Honestly, he just smiled, handed me a mint tea, and asked if I wanted some advice.
8:00 PM - Dinner Back at Dar Ourika: I asked the chef at Dar Ourika to make a special dinner just for me. I just wanted to feel safe and secure. She made me a lamb tagine, but this one was different. It was filled with all sorts of deliciousness! I could eat it everyday!
(Day 3: Cooking Class, Desert Dreamin', and Saying Goodbye… (Sob!)
9:00 AM - Cooking Class: I Actually Cooked Something! I was so excited. I am a terrible cook. I took a cooking class at a local farm. I learned how to make couscous, tagine, and the most amazing bread I've ever tasted. I even managed to not burn anything! I'm pretty proud of myself.
1:00 PM - Desert Adventure: Okay, This is Epic! A camel ride and a sunset in the Agafay Desert. It was magical. Seriously. Riding a camel through the dunes, the colors of the sunset reflecting in the distance. We ate dinner by the fire, with a sky full of stars. What a memory!
8:00 PM - Last Dinner (Sniff!) Okay, okay, the trip is ending. I am so sad! I can be so dramatic. I had one last tagine at a beautiful restaurant. I spent all night sitting by the pool thinking about my adventures.
Morning - Departure: I had to leave. Saying goodbye to Mohammed and the Riad was tough. I've found an amazing spot. I will definitely be back. Goodbye to Marrakech. Until next time!
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Riad Awaits (and my sanity almost vanished in the process!)
Okay, so "Escape to Paradise"… What exactly is this Riad and how dreamy ARE we talking? Because I've seen pictures... and reality is often a cruel mistress.
Alright, alright, let's get real. "Escape to Paradise" is a Riad tucked away in the Ourika Valley, near Marrakech. The pictures? Yeah, they're good. REALLY good. Think sun-drenched courtyards, ornate tilework that makes you wanna weep with joy, and a rooftop terrace where you can practically feel the Atlas Mountains breathing down your neck. **Seriously**, the view alone almost made the whole trip worth it. Almost.
I mean, the *idea* of it is pure paradise. But, and this is a BIG but, remember that whole "pictures vs. reality" thing? It's true. My first thought was "Wow, this is *almost* as stunning as advertised". Then, I saw the bathroom (more on that later…).
The Ourika Valley. Sounds… remote. How DO you even get there? And is it worth the trek? Because I hate long car rides. HATE them.
The drive from Marrakech is about an hour, maybe a little longer depending on traffic (and the driver’s penchant for speed - mine, bless him, was a bit of a… well, let's just say I held onto my seat a lot). It's *beautiful* though. Seriously. You wind your way through the Atlas Mountains, past Berber villages, and it's a sensory overload in the best way. The scenery morphs from dusty plains to lush greenery.
The trek *was* worth it. Mostly. The occasional goat sighting on the side of the road, the stunning views… it's worth the drive, even if you're like me, and consider a 15-minute trip to the grocery store to be a major ordeal. You get a sense of escaping the city, which is the whole point, right? But be prepared for the occasional pothole that'll have your teeth rattling. And bring snacks. And Dramamine. Maybe a stress ball.
Okay, so the good stuff: the food. What's the deal? Is it Insta-worthy AND delicious, or a case of style over substance? I'm talking tagines and mint tea, people!
The food… ah, the food. This is where "Escape to Paradise" really shines. The tagines were absolutely INSANE. Like, fall-off-the-bone, melt-in-your-mouth, “I need to learn how to make this IMMEDIATELY” good. They were generous with portion size as well. The mint tea? Perfection. Served in those gorgeous little glasses, steaming and sweet, a perfect antidote to feeling overwhelmed at all times.
It’s definitely Insta-worthy, yes, but it's also genuinely incredible. I had breakfast on the rooftop one morning (did I mention the view?!) and it was… well, nearly spiritual. Fresh bread, local honey, olives, fruit… I almost cried it was so lovely, it's such a shame I'm allergic to honey and had to watch my friend enjoy all the sweet goodness. There were some dietary needs that weren't met, but hey, you can't be perfect
The "Paradise" part implies relaxation. Did you actually… relax? Or was it more of a "constant mild anxiety about something I'm forgetting" kind of trip?
Good question. I was definitely in a state of “mild anxiety” for a good portion of the trip! You're far enough away from everything that you feel very separated from life, but that also means you have no distractions. My phone barely worked (thank God, in a weird way).
The whole experience was a constant negotiation between blissful relaxation and a nagging feeling that I was somehow, somewhere, *messing it all up*. The staff are incredibly helpful, but there's a certain… relaxed pace of life. Which is lovely… until you're desperate for a bottle of water at 3 AM and have to wander, half-asleep, around the courtyard. And don't even *get me started* on the lack of AC in July.
So, yes and no. I relaxed. Eventually. After a few minor meltdowns. And a lot of mint tea. And maybe a quiet cry in the bathtub.
And the rooms? Spill the tea! Are they as gorgeous as the pictures? Because, be honest, we’re here for the aesthetics, right?
Here's the honesty bomb: the rooms are GORGEOUS. The tilework, the high ceilings, the plush rugs... it’s all very, very beautiful. My room and the rooms of anyone that wasn't sharing with me were lovely. But my friend's room... well, let's just say the en-suite bathroom left a little to be desired. Let's just say the water pressure was less "cascade" and more "dribble". And the hot water? A sporadic, unpredictable luxury.
I mean, it added to the "authentic" experience, I suppose. But after a long day of exploring (and avoiding the scorching sun), a proper shower is high on the priority list. I nearly cried while trying to wash the sand out of my hair, because the heat was so bad. I would like to say that they fix it, but it wasn't fixed during our visit.
Other than that? Absolutely stunning. Just maybe pack some wet wipes and a prayer for a decent shower.
What activities are there to do around the Riad? Beyond, you know, just staring at the mountains and eating delicious food?
Ah, the activities! The Riad can arrange excursions. You can hike, visit waterfalls, go to local souks (markets), potentially learn to cook tagine. It's all very picturesque and exciting. We opted for a hike. I, being a city dweller with questionable fitness levels, found the hike… challenging. The views were spectacular, though.
I would recommend asking for help with any hike. But the staff were great. They offered suggestions, and you could feel they cared. I think just talking to the staff gave me a very fulfilling experience.
Okay, so the big question: Would you go back? And if so, what would you do differently? Lay it on me straight.
Would I go back? Hmm… That's a tricky one. Part of me says, "Absolutely! For the food, the views, the general feeling of escaping the chaos of modern life." Another part of me remembers the erratic shower and the near-constant battle against the heat, and whispers, "Maybe… maybe not."
If I went back, I would definitely:
- Request to have the suite
- Pack some industrial sized wet wipes.
- Embrace the languid pace of life. LetRoaming HotelsRiad dar Ourika Marrakech Morocco
Riad dar Ourika Marrakech Morocco
