Riad Star opened in September 2013 after two years of renovation by a a team of Marrakech’s finest craftsmen. Word is spreading fast, don’t delay making your reservation!

Conde Nast

In the words of Lisa Johnson writing in Conde Nast Traveler “When English couple Mike and Lucie Wood bought Riad Star in the Marrakech Medina, they has no idea that Josephine Baker – vaudeville sensation, civil rights activist and mother of an adopted ‘rainbow tribe’ – liver there in the 1940’s. The performer was a close friend (perhaps lover) of the Pasha of Marrakech we cared for her in his palace after a miscarriage. The royal residence is now the Musee de Marrakech: Baker’s riad, with its Art Deco woodwork and arches, has been restored as a seven room hotel with a hammam, dipping pool and roof terrace. Memorabilia includes a dress-up box stuffed with flapper dresses, Maurice Chevalier style hats and even a banana skirt.”

The Observer

In the words of Joanne O’Connor writing in The Observer  “This quirky riad was home to Josephine Baker in the 1940s. The seven guest rooms are kitted out in traditional Moroccan style with an Art Deco twist, and the British owners pay homage to Baker with displays of Parisian music-hall memorabilia and a dressing-up box of 1920s clothes. Don’t miss the candlelit massage in the hammam.”

Evening Standard

In the words of the London Evening Standard “Riad Star which was a one-time residence of vaudeville star Josephine Baker, brought a dash of glamour to the medina when it opened last month. Located in the historic Kaat Benahid district, there are seven suites including the Charleston, which channels the roaring Twenties and the Paris suite that celebrates the golden age of the Parisian Music Hall.  A ‘dressing up box features genuine memorabilia and trinkets for roaring twenties style parties up on the roof terrace with sunset views across to the Atlas mountains.

Conde Nast

In the words of Conde Nast Traveller ’Another of Marrakech’s dreamy riads has been renovated and will open as an exclusive seven-suite hotel in September. Riad Star was once part of the royal palace owned by the Pashah of Marrakech, who in the 1940s invited Josephine Baker to come and live in it; and the rooms have been decorated with memorabilia sourced from Parisian music halls – not least a dressing-up box of 1920s clothes and accessories. Amazing.’

New York Daily News

In the words of Jason Sheftell of the New York Daily News “Certain New York scenes are not dead yet. There are still low-lit corners where the Madagascar ambassador can sit next to a 6-foot-4 transvestite draped in a red-sequined gown while a child star fresh from the Broadway stage can down French fries and chocolate milk near an aging actress sipping Kir Royale and chatting with an English innkeeper from Morocco.” We are grateful for the friendship of Jean-Claude Baker of the legendary New York restaurant Chez Josephine.