Riad Star

Bread comes straight from the local Medina bakery, perhaps traditional crepes, local honey and jam, yoghurts and fruits and of course eggs done any which way.

Each of the seven spacious guest rooms is luxuriously themed around a symbol of Josephine Baker's legacy, from the glitz of Paris to the roaring twenties of Charleston.

Each one is full of little knick-knacks and treasures, but is always beautifully tasteful with queen size beds, 300 count Egyptian cotton bed linen and rainforest showers.

The spirit of Josephine lives on everywhere; a collection of theatrical costumes here, a head dress there, figurines in nooks and crannies and when night falls, slides of her in her heyday, project on the courtyard walls. All very atmospheric.

Another surprise for me was the charming roof terrace, a spacious sun trap for lazy afternoons lying on a sun bed catching a bit of breeze and listening to the sounds of Marrakech down below.

Up here too is the Riad's own private Hammam, a place of wonderment for me. Who can resist the soapy attraction of a cleansing Moroccan traditional massage, an exfoliation that left my skin baby soft for days?

For me, there is nothing finer when visiting Marrakech than staying Riad-style in the Medina.

It's a unique opportunity to experience local life up close but at the same time, behind that magical door, your creature comforts await too.

Riad Star, offers luxury hospitality at a mighty fine price, but best of all, you are treated like family. Nothing was too much trouble; I had refreshments on tap, the use of a local mobile phone in case I needed it and the help and advice from locals who knew the city like the backs of their hands.

Rates: from £140 per night on a bed and breakfast basis, with a 20% discount offered for online bookings. www.marrakech-riad.co.uk