Why we love it?
Earlier in 2021, El Fenn reopened to reveal a sumptuous expansion. Among the highlights are a heated rooftop pool with panoramic views of the Marrakech cityscape, and Atlas Mountains and four additional rooms, expanding to 31 total, each individually styled with iconic elements of Moroccan design and colour. Renowned for its drama and decorative abundance, El Fenn is a real standout experience and the perfect boutique choice, just 5 minutes walk from the bustling streets in the Djemaa El Fna square.
Guests can enjoy light meals and drinks against the stunning backdrop of the courtyard draped with lanterns and orange trees in front of a beautiful marble-line swimming pool. There is a new private dining room and the stylish in-house spa and boutique have both been expanded, where you can relax or soak up the sunshine beside one of the 3 swimming pools.
The restaurant is as relaxed as El Fenn itself. Each dish is made using local, seasonal plant-based food with meat and fish available too. The stunning 1,300sq metre roof terrace provides the most scenic setting for a delicious breakfast, evening meals and a sunset cocktail among lantern-lit trails.
Everything in the hotel has been locally sourced, committed to supporting Morocco’s local economy. From the bed linen, organic bath products, freshly brewed tea through to the lime plaster walls and stitched leather floors.
Get it right:
There are few enclosed spaces at El Fenn and much of life is lived in the open air - from the courtyards to the rooftop. Your peace of mind is paramount to El Fenn and the hotel is offering additional measures during the pandemic, include cleaning and airing rooms twice daily, offering a free laundry service, even the exterior of your luggage will be disinfected before being taken to your room.
Pricing : Double room inc. breakfast and afternoon tea Euro 385 per night.
Why we love it?
10 luxurious rooms and suites are spread within this grand, colonial style mansion. Blue wash woodwork is offset by the clean white walls, while ornate lighting creates an old elegance here. With a green centre courtyard lined with trees, secluded patios and one of the best spas in Marrakech, Riad de Tarabel is utterly tranquil, perfect for anyone looking to switch off.
Dinner can be served anywhere in the riad as there is no formal restaurant or bar here, instead lantern-lit patios and snugs on one of the romantic terraces are perfect atmospheric dining spots. You can also order drinks any time of day or night.
The suite rooms are large with Venetian mirrors, roll top bath tubs and wardrobes lined with soft leather.
Get it right :
The rooms are stunning, but nothing beats the large suite which has the most impressive space and layout. The bathroom is split level with an enormous bath tub, whilst the sitting room has an inviting day bed with a terrace that looks out over the orange trees. This is a truly divine suite for those wanting some R&R.
Pricing : Doubles from Euro 230, suites from Euro 450 per night.
Why we love it?
Set in a chic nine-acre garden, Jnane Tamsna features 24 unique rooms, within 5 integrating houses, 5 pools and a tennis court.
Blending Western modernity and Moroccan tradition, rooms are spacious, with many boasting a veranda and a gorgeous view onto the gardens. With decor echoing design traditions ranging from Northern India to West Africa.
During the day, wander the paths of the stunning botanical gardens and take a refreshing swim in one of the five swimming pools. Delicious meals can be enjoyed in the vast gardens or in the spacious dining room, with vibrant and healthy Moroccan dishes.
Classed as a highly green hotel, the Jnane Tamsna reuses and recycles as much as possible. With an effective compost system, the kitchen is self-sufficient with organic veggies grown from the hotels thriving farm. Healthy Moroccan and Mediterranean dishes are a delight! A water filter system successfully reduces plastics, and any glass bottles are efficiently recycled as containers for olive oil, of which the hotel presses 1000 litres per year!
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There is so much to do during your stay at Jnane Tamsna, from Tennis lessons, cooking classes and for an Arabesque experience, have a go with your children to write your names in traditional Arabic calligraphy, making a beautiful souvenir to take home.
The hotel offers a sidecar tour, where you can roam the city and its outskirts in an elegant sidecar, a fun experience to share as a couple, a family or with friends and the chicest way to discover the palm grove, Medina, or Agafay Stone Desert.
Pricing : Doubles from Euro 155 per night.
Why we love it?
If you’re looking for something more peaceful and a place to take yourself way from the bustling streets, you’ll find Riad Jardin Secret down a discrete passageway off the busy Medina.
With only 7 rooms, this is a place of refuge and inspiration. The staff are incredibly welcoming with service second to none. You will feel truly looked after in this thoughtful and intimate palace.
Creative couple Cyrielle and Julien left their lives in Paris, to relocate to Marrakech where they have restored this intimate palace. With many of the historical features left in place, they have transformed this into a creative space, welcoming artists to retreat and take time out to develop new ideas.
Rooms feature hand painted ceilings, with bathrooms crafted out of Tadelakt and Zellige tilework showers. Many overlook the fountain-patio and some boast an open fire which compliments the warm authentic Moroccan colours throughout.
Breakfast is a highlight here, with choices from healthy, vegan, gluten free, they will cater for all your needs to set you up for the day. Everything is homemade, fresh and healthy.
Get it right :
Televisions and air conditioning are not available at Riad Jardin Secret, as a way of encouraging guests to adapt to the laid back, slow living haven and the riad’s free spirit.
Pricing : Doubles from Euro 135 per night.