Lonely Planet Review

Villa el-Arsa has a simple Spanish aesthetic with warm brick floors, huge terracotta pots and wrought-iron balustrades. There is also an original oriental bath framed by pointy arches. David and Susie Scott, who renovated the riad (town house), can help you arrange reliable excursions and treks outside Marrakesh with English-speaking guides.

The minute you walk into Villa el Arsa you feel as if you have arrived home, such is the warm, laid-back ambience of the place. The small patio, a profusion of enormous terracotta pots and tangled greenery, is overlooked by two sitting rooms replete with reading materials and videos. The only drawback: there are just four rooms. Room No 1 is the largest and most comfortable (with air-con), but even the smallest, rose-pink room No 4 with its faded coverlet, is charming. Simo, the manager, is an absolute gem and is always on hand to help people find their feet. This is particularly helpful for solo women travellers. In winter the terrace has the added bonus of its own fireplace, with outdoor heaters making the house a perfect getaway for a group of friends over Christmas and New Year.