The calm of a white stone interior illuminated by a skylight is energized by dashes of color in the form of stained-glass flourishes, inlaid stone work, and bright-red woven carpets. Guests enter directly from the street into the inner courtyard through a heavy wood door punctuated by metalwork. The common areas, including hallways, are the soul of the establishment, and the focus is on relaxing, with cushions and banquette seating available throughout. Daylight streaming through the atrium of the hotel draws guests to the roof, another focal point of the hotel, which offers space to sit in both the sun and the shade. The riad dates to the 18th century, and underwent extensive renovations in 2009.

Perched on the western edge of town within the old medina, the Riad Malaika sits halfway down a dead-end, narrow cobblestone street, within a six-minute walk of the city walls. Surrounded by residences and other riads, it offers easy proximity to both the beach (under a 10-minute walk) and  a nearby shopping complex, Bin Al Aswar. The Supratours bus station, or Gare Routiere, sits between the beach and the Riad Malaika, and is about a 15-minute walk away. The nearest parking lot is 10 minutes away on foot.

Lacquered handpainted bedside tables join framed contemporary drawings and gilded geometric lanterns in these airy rooms to elegant effect. Most of the rooms are narrow enough that there is little floor space in addition to that taken by a four-poster bed, end table, and a pair of chairs, though carved-wood armoires and inlaid mosaic tiling enhance the ambience. Bathrooms are generously sized throughout, and have walk-in stone tiled showers (featuring hand-held fixtures), hairdryers, herbal toiletries, and windows. All rooms have free Wi-Fi. The Junior Suite has a bathtub and a terrace.

A welcoming roof deck furnished with plenty of padded loungers and lattice-shade structures is a wonderful place to relax at the end of the day. On the ground floor, surrounding the atrium, a handful of cozy spots are tucked behind the curved stone doorways, with pillow-stuffed chairs, cushioned banquettes, and brightly colored throw rugs. The homemade breakfast is plentiful and varies by the day. The open-plan kitchen on the main floor serves excellent local fare in the evenings, with advance notice. Staff can arrange for massages and hammam packages off-site. Wi-Fi is free throughout.