Lonely Planet Review
Just off the asphalt jungle that is the Djemaa el-Fna and down the rugby scrum of Derb Debachi, one of the busiest streets of the medina, you'll find this old fortification ('borj' means tower). Built to keep a careful eye on the neighbourhood, it has the highest views over the medina.
As the mansion of the ruling pasha, Glaoui el Madani, the interior is suitably sumptuous and Daniel Ghio strove to retain all the original caprices of the pasha's extravagant interior decor. Almost all the rooms have either painted or carved ceilings, there's enough swirling stuccowork and zellij (ceramic) tiling to make you cross-eyed, and the floors are a checkerboard of marble and coloured tiles. But instead of Moroccan city chic, Ghio has chosen to furnish the house in the colours of the desert - artefacts and leather poufs from the Saharaoui and lots of overlaid stripey carpets. It's a shame that the decorative theme has failed to reach all the rooms - one wonders what happened in 'El Borj' and 'Moussafir'. Still, they are all comfortably furnished and the glass-vaulted suite is enormous.
Review by author
Paula Hardy