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 Marrakech Environs 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/Medina for our favourite addresses) for a for a few nights before heading to the Palmeraie, Marrakech's answer to a weekend in the country (see Marrakech Palmeraie for our favourite addresses) or further afield towards the Atlas Mountains. 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: 18th-century mud fort transformed into an Arabian Nights fantasy |
| Location: On old road to Agadir and airport, 20 minutes from the city centre. |
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| An Arabian Nights fantasy, this 18th-century mud fort boasts views of Berber villages and orange groves. There's also an open-air spa, a cooking school, and a boutique selling Kenza Melehi's flamboyant couture designs, also to be found at Selfridges. Sleep in one of the tents for romance. They're wonderfully air-conditioned with four-poster beds, antique textiles and massive mosaic baths. |
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| Luxury: World famous luxury hotel for sybarites |
| Location: Rte De Ouarzazate, 15 minutes from the centre in peaceful private estate. |
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| Faultless service, grand style minimalism and ice creams by the pool at tea time. Amanjena is deliciously decadent and justly deserves its fame. The architecture is stunning, your suitcase is unpacked for you, cold flannels magically appear when you need them, rose petals float about the place and rooms come complete with roaring fire. Shopping jaunts into town are arranged in air-conditioned splendour. |
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| Luxury: Sir Richard Branson's exclusive Morocco hideaway |
| Location: Asni; 45 min drive from Marrakech |
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| In the foothills of the High Atlas mountains, yet within easy reach of Marrakech, Sir Richard Branson's turretted Kasbah, discovered by his mother during one of his ballooning exploits, seems forbidding at first, clinging as it does to a dusty hill. Once inside, though, bohemian opulence takes over and guests (some starry) are enveloped in a gorgeous Moroccan dream, with spa and hammam to boot. Trekking, with mule and guide, and ballooning also on offer. |
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| Mid Price: Eco-friendly mountain refuge with spectacular views |
| Location: An hour drive from the airport and then a walk up through olive groves |
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| Incredible views from a unique mountain retreat run by Berbers and reached by donkey. Situated at the foot of Jbel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, Kasbah Toubkal has won a Green Globe for sustainable tourism and is a mecca for trekkers who can enjoy numerous accompanied hikes. Don't expect phones or TVs: we're talking back-to-nature wow factor and mint tea on the roof terrace. |
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| Mid Price: Small hotel made of mud and imagination |
| Location: In a hamlet; 20km from Marrakesh towards High Atlas Mountains |
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| A retreat from the hurly burly of Marrakech. Tigmi is a house of eight suites converted from a string of simple village dwellings. Spacious suites have open fireplaces, private shady courtyards, eucalyptus beamed ceilings, richly coloured silk throws, exotic cushions. Relaxed and laid back with helpful and friendly staff and good food. Splendid views to the snow tipped Atlas Mountains - a place to recharge and enjoy without being too harsh on your wallet. |
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| Mid Price: Traditional hotel-keeping in a paradise for nature lovers |
| Location: Ouirgane; in the High Atlas mountains 60km from Marrakech on the Taroudant road |
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| In a glorious, rural setting in the foothills of the High Atlas, where the air is pure and the only sound likely to disturb your reverie is birdsong, this splendid hotel is still run by the family of Abdelkader Fenjiro, who opened it in the 1970s. It is clearly their pride and joy, and they and their delightful staff show the greatest attention to detail from the crisp sheets to the local, seasonal cooking. The large, unpretentious bedrooms are in bungalows, scattered around exotic gardens. |
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| Inexpensive: Cluster of caïdal tents make a peaceful haven in aromatic gardens |
| Location: 13 km south of city towards Ourika Valley |
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| French owners Patrick and Ghislaine have created an oasis of calm with 15 caïdal tents (think mini marquees) around a large infinity pool in scented gardens circled by mountains. Each tent has air-conditioning, sitting room, dressing room and en-suite tadelakt bathroom. There's also a private Hammam tent. Chef Fatima creates delicious local dishes served under awnings by the pool or in the appealing restaurant. |
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