The small doorway leads into a huge, 19th-century riad centred around a beautiful courtyard, filled with lemon trees and trickling marble fountains; the edge of the space is taken up by arches that create little nooks to drink, sit, read and stare at the blue sky above.
Set in the historic heart of the city, the latest riad will have seven rooms.
Now – or so it seems, with the souks saturated with expats – it's all the rage to go and run a riad in Marrakech.
This is an authentic, unreconstructed riad, so the metre-thick walls keep the interior cool even when the medina is roasting – though you might want to turn up the punishingly effective air-con in your room.
Mr Roberts recently sold an old riad in Marrakech and had to obtain 13 family signatures from people based in Marrakech and other Moroccan locations including Tangier, Fez and Casablanca, plus one living in Switzerland.
Located south of the centre, near the Habous, and set in its own peaceful garden, Jnane Sherazade (5) at 8 Rue de Belgrade (00 212 5228 21765; jnanesherazade.com) is the closest thing to a traditional riad that you'll find in Casablanca.
Best-dressed hotel El Fenn, Marrakech, Morocco El Fenn flies the flag for bold and beautiful interiors with its Moorish mish-mash of colour and comfort: it's a patchwork, labour of love incorporating the restoration of a derelict riad, a creative's dream of an art collection and a bohemian sophisticate's palette.
No wonder, it is a delight to the senses, writes Sarah Gilbert Two London entrepreneurs have restored a riad as a base to explore this imperial Morrocan city.
But if you want to buy a traditional riad that has not already been sold since 2000, it will probably have an Islamic melkia title, which are not strictly recognised by the Moroccan land registry.
Rooms from £41 (riadbamboo.com) Riad Dar Zaman This 18th-century riad in the old town has been refurbished as a four-room guesthouse with African artworks and soft Berber rugs.
