The cool entrance leads up into the bright and spacious hall of Dar Larouss, the centerpiece of the riad, with its traditional furnishings, Moroccan art and vast, antique lamp that drapes down onto a mosaic dining table.

The hallway opens out into a fully fitted kitchen and unique Moroccan salon that is thickly lined with cushioned seats and rich drapery and offers all the main communal facilities such as satellite T.V., a DVD player and stereo system.

There are two generous double bedrooms fitted with simple hand painted furniture and the master bedroom boasts a little kouss, a Moroccan boudouir with room to accommodate our foldable cot for young families.

Dar Larouss also has an exceptionally large roof terrace that is partly hidden behind its blue Marjolle trellis and wealth of climbers and exotic flowers. It provides sufficient privacy to sunbathe on the handmade wicker furniture, informal dining facilities and the opportunity to idly watch the to-ings and fro-ings of the bustling streets below.