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 Marrakech Palmeraie Hotels
Marrakech has it all: sunshine, gorgeous gardens, ridiculously exciting shopping, exotic music, trendy restaurants, history, romance, atmosphere. What is more this so near, so far idyll comes complete with a host of seriously cool hotels, mostly converted townhouses or riads. The trick is to stay in the medina (see Marrakech for our favourite addresses) for a for a few nights before heading to La Palmeraie, Marrakech's answer to a weekend in the country, or further afield (see Marrakech Countryside for our favourite addresses). It only takes twenty minutes to plunge back into the souks from La Palmeraie and you swap roosters and the call of prayer for views of the majestic Atlas Mountains, herb gardens, lawns for the children to run around on, spacious bedrooms and grown up sized swimming pools. For a long weekend away it really doesn't get any better. The hotels are listed by price category, and their order bears no reflection on our preference.
 Reviews by Daisy Finer |
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| Luxury: Opulent palace serving gourmet food |
| Location: Palmeraie; in four acres of Persian gardens 15 minutes drive from city centre. |
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| A decadent palace with courtyards, rose bushes and tinkling fountains. The French owner studied Arabic culture and although the building is new, it feels centuries old. Guests are transferred in a black London cab, brilliantly incongruous, and when the weather hots up you can dine in the shallow end of the swimming pool, your feet in the water. Chef Damien Durand trained with Alain Ducasse. |
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| Mid Price: Stylish boho villas in scented gardens |
| Location: Palmeraie; in walled 15 acre estate 15 minutes from city centre |
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| Jnane Tamsna is owned by legendary hostess Meryanna Loum-Martin, renowned from her powerful sense of style. No one sets a table quite like her. Comprising five boho cool villas in the country, the gardens smell delicious and rooms are decorated with textiles from Senegal, Berber rugs and Asian silks. The homemade food is exquisite and at night the five pools are lit with hundreds of candles. |
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| Mid Price: Luxurious secret in the Palmeraie |
| Location: Palmeraie; a ten minutes drive to the centre in smart residential area |
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| A best-kept secret, small and luxurious, and complete with the friendliest staff in town. Even Aman junkies are jumping ship. The three acre garden is gorgeous, quiet and filled with lemon trees; the pool is heated and the food a sensation. There are only five bedrooms, all beautifully furnished and with vast bath tubs. Perfect for that birthday bash, or a romantic weekend for two. |
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| Mid Price: The last word in mud hut chic |
| Location: ten minutes drive from city centre in a Berber village near Paysan palace. |
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| Designed by famed architect Charles Boccara, Caravanserai is the epitome of mud hut chic. Bohemian and luxurious, there are 16 Berber style rooms, either with a terrace or bit of garden, and two suites with their own private plunge pools. The vibe is laidback and easy. Tortoises munch in the garden, the pool is pretty and food is healthy and hearty. |
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