Millions of tourists visit Marrakesh the Red City in Morocco per year. The old part of town is the most interesting part to stay and its architecture and narrow streets reflect its millennial history.
So building a hotel in the old part of town is an impossibility, so most of the "boutique" hotels are RIADS converted into guest houses with a few rooms with modern architectural additions.
The western Islamic architecture of Riad Gardens have their antecedents in the Persian culture and with the conquest of Al Andalus by Almoravids of Morocco, a healthy infusion of Christian, Jewish and Moslem artisans embellished the Riad traditions in Morocco, after the 11th Century.
The riad is one of two main types of traditional Moroccan houses, often with two or more stories around an interior symmetrical garden centered around a fountain. Riads were the stately city homes of the wealthiest citizens such as merchants and courtiers who were able to build mansions which included interior gardens.
A wealthy local merchant lived in what was to become Riad58blu, before he moved out to the new medinas outside the city. A lucky young man from Parma, Italy embellished the old riad with tastefully decorated, culturally congruous eye pleasing architecture and interior decoration.
Luckily for him, Paolo from Parma , he also hired an excellent Concierge, a half Berber half Arab ventriloquist of sorts from Casablanca with an outgoing and pleasing personality.
Ishmael Nordine settled in Marrakech and raised his family and devoted his time to the Riad58blu. He is to be found at the Riad almost 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, taking brief respites at his house with his family.
I have become friends with the owner Paolo, Concierge Ishmael as well as with the helpers Khadijah and Ikram who are arabic speaking local women who are diligent and helpful and good cooks.
