The Repose

My wife and I stayed in the Saffron Room at The Repose for two nights in early October. This was our first riad stay in a 18 day tour of Morocco. We stayed in five other riads overall, all high quality, during our trip. None compared in the level of service, warm welcome, location, meals and general comfort. Many were older, fancier, with larger rooms, traditional tile and the like, but the The Repose and the Sale's medina were the best of the trip. We consistently said that we wished we had stayed there longer and if we return to Morocco one of the primary reasons is The Repose. After a very long flight from the west coast of the US and a drive from Casablanca, Jan met us with peppermint tea and a multi-layered tray of pastries and fruit. She told us about the Riad, their renovation process and Sale'. Her welcome was genuine, friendly and warm. This was consistent with all staff and family. Jan's husband, Rachid, born in Sale', provided a half day tour of the medina. We even visited his elementary school by chance, as well as the markets, craftspeople, historical madrasa, fortifications and pirate prison. It was a joy to talk with him about Sale', Morocco and Africa while watch him greet friends as we walked. We learned about living in a historic building and a medina from both Jan and Rachid. Breakfasts and the one dinner we had there were suburb. Vegetarian meals were welcome. We would think back to our dinner there as we later faced yet another tagine again and again and again. We regret did not eat both of dinners on the rooftop at The Repose. The meal at the riad was better than our dinner at Al Marsa by far. While there we also met Shelia, the 45 year old roof top resident tortoise and learned about her annual hibernation. Jan told me about practice of medina residents leaving scrap lumber in the early morning by the side door of the traditional hammam next door to be burned as fuel. That promoted me to be get up early and walk around the medina as the town was waking up. It is beautiful, peaceful, felt safe and difficult to get lost. The Repose is well named, a true haven of peace and contentment Visit Sale' and meet Jan and Rachid.