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Travel + Leisure
june 2008
T+L Editors' Choice Awards IT LIST 2008—Top 30 new hotels in the world for 2008

Riads are popping up in Marrakesh at a rapid clip, so it takes a really special property to make a splash in this North African style capital. Created by New York-based decorator, photographer, and art collector Thomas Hays, the five-room Meriem manages to be delightfully original without going over the top. Everything here is understated-from the soothing Costes-like palette of muted mauves, pale grays, and dark creams to the well-edited mix of art and objects like framed fabrics from Africa and Asia, original paintings by Moroccan and European artists, and photos from Hays's own extensive travels.