Tuck into the best couscous in Marrakech at Dar Les Cigognes
Dar Les Cigognes cooking class
There are several downsides to arriving to a new place after dark. However, this wasn’t the case when arriving at Dar Les Cigognes hotel in Marrakech well after 10pm.
Hotel lobbies are typically a place of calm, but the aura here’s a whole other level. Dar Les Cigognes is around a 20-minute drive from Marrakech Menara airport, and is within walking distance of many sights.
We walked through the front door of Dar Les Cigognes and straight into a Moroccan oasis.
A stark contrast from the noise of the busy streets outside, within its 4 walls is a blissful abyss of calm. The night usually masks the beauty of a place, but here, it only illuminates it.
The welcome
Soft lighting shows off the striking Moroccan architecture of the riad, proudly boasting its beauty for all to admire.
In the middle of the courtyard is an Arabic style fountain, with water gently sprouting from its center.
We sat in a lounge area filled with cushions and Moroccan-style lanterns while sipping on some warm mint tea. Quietly soaking up the ambience, I couldn’t wait to see the rest of our boutique hotel.
“We walked through the front door of Dar Les Cigognes and straight into a Moroccan oasis.”
FOLLOWING THE RIVERA
“Made from scratch with incredible ingredients and spices, it was the best meal we had in Morocco.”
FOLLOWING THE RIVERA
“Instead, admire these grand birds sitting peacefully in their nests, with the best, and unspoiled, view in Marrakech.”
FOLLOWING THE RIVERA
Dar Les Cigognes bedrooms
Before traveling to Morocco, I’d seen plenty of photos of spectacular riads; I just never thought I’d stay in one. However, there aren’t any photos that do justice to what you actually see in person.
Walking up the narrow staircase to the first floor, you’ll spot at least 5 unique elements of Moroccan design. It embraces classic Arabic/Islamic architecture, and it’s pretty mind-blowing.
As with many boutique hotels, Dar Les Cigognes has a small number of rooms (11) available. There are 3 superior rooms, 7 deluxe and 1 suite, the Orientalist Suite.
All rooms come with twin, or king-sized beds, and separate bathroom and shower. The deluxe versions are slightly larger, with the option to twin together with a superior if traveling in a group.
Luxurious comfort — Dar Les Cigognes cooking class
These rooms also have a cozy fireplace indoors. To go all out on your luxury experience, book the suite. Along with a mammoth-sized bed, the suite also has a separate lounge with a window onto the rampart of the building.
We stayed in a superior room, with a view overlooking the courtyard and it was the perfect choice. The combination of creams, greens and reds may sound unworkable, but the elegant result is clear.
I’m a huge sucker for comfy hotel slippers, and was delighted to find a pair waiting by the bed. They were so comfortable that I took them with me on our road trip around the country.
In the bathroom, you’ll find everything you need, including bathrobes, hairdryer and their own brand toiletries.
Dar Les Cigognes cooking class
To sum up my experience after our private cooking class: I’ll never use packet couscous again.
The class is an experience that lasts a few hours, given that it also includes a tour of the local food market.
Pierre, the hotel manager, showed us the sights and sounds of the Moroccan market, choosing the freshest ingredients.
Word of warning: there are some strong smells in the marketplace, as well as live animals for sale.
Learning to cook, Dar Les Cigognes style
Back in the hotel’s kitchen, we’d the pleasure of learning with no other than the hotel’s head cook. A warm and friendly lady, her English was minimal, but her cooking skills spoke volumes.
During the lesson, we made our own Moroccan feast.
This included a selection of Moroccan salads, a chicken tagine and of course the homemade couscous.
Made from scratch with simple ingredients and spices, it was the best meal we had in Morocco.
The downside to this, was that we struggled to find something as good after. Our experience at Dar Les Cigognes set the bar so high, we became food critics for the rest of our trip.
If you’d like to try and recreate any of the dishes, go and check out their Facebook page. They sometimes post the recipes that they make for guests in the hotel.
Pierre and his team showed us how to make tasty and easy local dishes. Booking a private cooking class was an excellent idea, and it gave us the best culinary start to our trip.
The best terrace in Marrakech
After hours of cooking, make time to relax on the terrace at Dar Les Cigognes.
There’s plenty of seating areas and pretty foliage around. It’s also the place where they serve breakfast.
“To sum up my experience after a Dar Les Cigognes hotel cooking class: I’ll never use packet couscous again.”
FOLLOWING THE RIVERA
From here, you’ll be able to spot a few storks nesting across at El Badi Palace.
‘Cigognes’ in the hotel’s name means ‘storks’, and upon seeing the magnificent birds, it made a lot more sense.
It’s said that the Berber consider storks to be holy animals.
If you attempt to disturb them, you could potentially face prison time.
Instead, admire these grand birds sitting peacefully in their nests, with the best, and unspoiled, view in Marrakech.
The extras at Dar Les Cigognes
As well as the fantastic cooking class, I encourage you to try a private hammam and massage.
It gives you a taste of Moroccan tradition, and will also leave your skin glowing and feeling squeaky clean.
For an unforgettable stay in Marrakech, and with the best cooking class, book your next stay at Dar Les Cigognes.
Disclaimer: Even though I was invited by Dar Les Cigognes, all views are my own and based on my own experience. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
Like this post? Pin it!
Lisa Rivera
Founder
Welcome to my site! I'm Lisa, founder of Following the Rivera. I write primarily for a ‘flashpacker’ audience, a demographic (late 20s onward) that enjoys glamping over camping and staying at boutique/luxury boutique hotels. Flashpackers also like to indulge in the local food and wine, cultural activities, as well as a spot of wellness on their travels. Want to know more? Read on....
The hotel does look super comfy and luxurious. I am a huge fan of Moroccan cuisine amd getting learn the authentic Moroccan dishes is amazing. The stay at Dar Les Cigognes is perfect, I would love to stay here when I’m in Morocco.
Ah you must! I guarantee you will have such a great time here, it’s a stunning hotel!
I am officially starving! That cooking class sounds like so much fun and such a great experience! I have never tried couscous that wasn’t coming out of a box! The lighting and architecture in the hotel sum up exactly what I had hoped to see from Morocco and really entice me to visit as soon as possible. I love that they even put rose petals on your bed!
Yes, it’s a bit kitsch for some, but I loved the roses! The cooking class is a must, and trust me, the food’s sensational there 😀
Well captured review through the words and pictures. Not only it is comfortable but looks gorgeous with the Islamic architecture. Nice to know the meaning and the belief behind Cigognes. I definitely did not know about that.
Thank you! It’s a stunning hotel, and breakfast on the terrace was definitely one of my favourite memories 😀
Hey, even I am a huge fan of comfy hotel slippers, the one provided by this hotel looks really mushy and soft! Disturbing the storks could land me in jail, wow, I would stay away in that case. I read your quick word of warning about exploring markets of Morocco, well the stench and dirt found in Indian non vegetarian markets is hard to tolerate too.
You’d love these cosy slippers then, I still have them! Yes, best to leave those storks in peace, and as for the markets, the smell was quite overpowering for wimpy me 😛
I love that you took a cooking class! This is what I’m aspiring to do on every vacation I take. I’m not much one for spending a ton of money on eating something once and never experiencing that again. I rather take a cooking class like you did and learn how to make these tasty and authentic dishes at home!
Aww then you would really love this place! The class was incredible and just for the two of us! It’s an experience in one hotel really!