“Ana Yela” translates literally as “I am Yela” and the architecture tells the story of a girl called Yela who once lived in this house.
All the work was carried out by hand, using only traditional Moroccan craftsmanship and without the use of electric tools, by more than 100 artisans.

As a result the house as a whole is a spectacular piece of art in itself. All senses are beguiled and inspirational energies and emotions are awoken and set free in this unique atmosphere.

Rooms & Amenities

3 rooms and 2 suites

Patio (an open air inner courtyard which is used as a living room under the open sky), in the centre of the patio is a swimming pool

Lounge - offers space for up to 10 people
Open-plan lounge - provides space for seating and sleeping up to 20 people

Terrace with real nomadic tent from the Sahara, can hold events for up to 100 people. Allows spectacular views across Marrakesh both by day and by night

Tapis Volant (Flying Carpet), a small tower on the terrace with a fantastic panoramic view.

The Story of AnaYela

When a wonderful old house in Medina, the historic city of Marrakesh, North Africa, was renovated in 2007, a small room was discovered behind a wall that was evidently a later addition to the house, about which the previous owner knew nothing. In it was only a small old casket made of dark wood with silver inlay (a small jewellery box perhaps). Inside the casket lay a sheet of paper covered on both sides with old, handwritten Arabic calligraphy, and told the following story: "Ana Yela - My name is Yela. I am a girl and I am 16 years old. Today is my last day in this wonderful house that my grandfather built many years ago. I am going to marry the man who has captured my love, whom I love with all my heart." This is how the story begins, the story of a young woman who once lived in this house and found the love of her life over the roofs of Marrakesch. The Architecture tells her story. Come to AnaYela learn more about Yela's story, fly into her past and find love.

Conserving Traditions
The world is changing faster and faster, making people less aware of the beauty that surrounds them

Architecture
AnaYela is a small, 300-year-old city palace in the heart of Medina, the historic city of Marrakesh. The restoration of the building took months and was carried out using only traditional Moroccan cratsmanship, for which Marrakesh is famous throughout the world. All of the work was carried out by the hand of local artisans throughout the neighbourhood, without the use of electric tools, by more than 100 artisans.

Every single piece of furniture, every lamp, all the decorations, even the tableware, were all designed by Bernd Kolb and Yannick Hervy and finished individually by Moroccan artisans.

Energy
Due to the traditional structure of a Riad, with its typical open plan design on the ground floor, air conditioning is not necessary and it remains cool even in the hottest teperatures. This also functions vice versa so that in winter heating is possible at a minimum. Solely the rooms on the first floor have an air conditioning. Guests are asked to only use them when really needed.

Food
In the morning guests are asked what they would like to eat for dinner. According to the wishes all ingredients are bought on a local market. This means that everything is 100% fresh and nothing has to be thrown away.