Jewels of Morocco

Overview

In the heart of the Art Deco district of Casablanca, Le Doge is a gem of a hotel, where authenticity and sophistication are key. The building’s 1930s architecture is carried through in the interior décor and the conservation of central period elements. The comfortable rooms are outfitted with Art Deco furniture and the decor is stylishly inspired by the genre.

Le Jasmine restaurant’s traditional Moroccan cuisine will delight all the senses. Much like the Petit Spa that offers treatments and rituals in the purest oriental tradition: steam baths with eucalyptus, argan oil massages and hammam all contribute to the relaxing well-being experience on offer in the heart of the ‘White City’.

Overview

This modern Moroccan seaside retreat is set on a beach just ten minutes from the heart of the lively city of Casablanca. Step out onto your private balcony and enjoy sweeping views and the fresh coastal air on your face. A sleek escape from the city, the Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca blends modern elegance with traditional Moroccan details and a locally-inspired colour palette. All of this while still being close enough to fully enjoy all the port city has to offer – from architectural marvels both modern and historic, to a vibey art scene and world-class dining options. There are 185 guest rooms to choose from, including 29 suites, many of which feature a large balcony with ocean or garden views.

The main restaurant at the hotel, Bleu, is a contemporary brasserie with a creative Mediterranean menu and the perfect place to tuck into a plate of the freshest local seafood. At Mint you can enjoy Moroccan specialties and light all-day meals.

When you’re not out exploring the city and surrounds, the courtyard is a great place to relax, or cool off in the outdoor swimming pool and soak up some rays on the sun deck. And don’t miss the chance to treat yourself to a session or two at the spacious Le Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca where ten treatment room, couple’s suites and two Balneo pools await.

Overview

At the edge of the medina, the Riad Fes is a Relais & Châteaux property with a traditional feel, blending Andalusian, Moroccan and modern décor in a way that reflects the city’s heritage and its current.

Four communal patios are distinctly styled in traditional, Moorish, Baroque, and contemporary finishes with colonnaded arcades, stylish pools, zellige tiles and fine stuccowork.

Around these, find 30 rooms and suites – the largest of which are positively palatial – refined Moroccan food in L’Ambre Restaurant, hammams, lounges, a wine bar and a library.

Up on the rooftop, enjoy fabulous panoramic views of the medina and mountains beyond with a drink from the bar in hand, a most spectacular scene at sunset.

Overview

Once a sumptuous harem as part of a palatial 17th century complex of riads, the Karawan Riad was restored over a decade to recapture its former atmosphere with the help of local artisans and their traditional skills.

Among the most lavish offerings in the medina, all seven romantic suites are unique with unique furniture, antique textiles and original art works along with vast beds, exquisite bed linens and a number of discrete modern touches like underfloor heating and air conditioning.

The riad is centre around the courtyard, off which you can find the restaurant, library and Ottoman-style hamman spa. Tea here is a delightful affair thanks to a very talented pastry chef, and you can enjoy meals and drinks either down in the dining room, salon or up on the roof terrace.

Overview

Palais Faraj is a a 19^th century palace on a hilltop overlooking Fes’ medina below. Painstakingly restored over a number of years by a former architect to Hassan II of Morocco, its interiors are a celebration of Moorish crafts and design, with fine carving, tilework and bronze throughout.

There are 31 chic and unique individual suites featuring Moroccan craft details, a spa and a swimming pool with one of the best views in the city. There are also two bars and two restaurants, Restaurant L’Amandier and Rooftop Garden where you can find gourmet Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine. The Golden Bar and the Grand Patio and Pool Tea Room invite you to unwind and enjoy a refreshing drink with friends when you’re taking a break from exploring the city.

Overview

L’Ma Lodge is a charming guesthouse amid the beautiful palm groves of Skoura. A traditionally built adobe house is the heart the of lodge, with its communal living areas, terrace, fireplace and charming restaurant, while elsewhere in the gardens you can find the riad which contains seven guestrooms and suites, a free form pool and plenty of secluded spots to relax.

The rooms and suites are spacious, bright and comfortable. Some offer you your own private terrace. There are also massage and relaxation treatments on offer to help you unwind beneath the olive trees.

Overview

Located in the heart of Skoura’s palm grove, Ksar El Kabbaba is a grand sand-coloured building surrounded by an oasis of a garden, its architecture and decor fitting perfectly into the historic vernacular of the town’s crumbling kasbahs. It features 13 comfortable rooms and suites, and two ‘riads’ which have two bedrooms and lounge with a fireplace.

Outside, the wonderful gardens are centred around a centuries old olive tree and a swimming pool, a setting even more romantic at night when lit by candles and lanterns. The gardens also provide much of the fruit and vegetables for the restaurant.

Relax here or head out to explore the area of Skoura using quads, mountain bikes, 4 x 4 or even on foot. There’s also a spa if you do want to venture too far.

Overview

The creation of a French theatre producer, the Dar Ahlam offers you a memorable stay at a beautiful 200-year old Kasbah turned oasis retreat.

In the historic village of Skoura, once an important trade post between the Atlas Mountains to the north and the desert to the south, this ornate four-towered fortress now has 14 rooms, some tucked away within the Kasbah itself and others among the lush gardens.

Days here are long, languid and tailored around your whims, with a few magical surprises along the way. Laze around the pool or in the hammam, take a cooking class or explore Skoura on walks and bicycle rides. With a guide and 4×4 you can also venture further afield down scenic valleys to other charming villages, markets and snow-capped mountains. For a truly unforgettable evening, spend a night at one of Dar Ahlam’s private Berber camps out in endless the sands of the Sahara Desert at Dune’s Camp during the winter months or in the aptly named named Valley of the Roses in the summer.

Every meal is a gourmet experience with delicate, innovative takes on Moroccan and international cuisine created by Frederick Grasser-Hermé and desserts dreamed up by French patissier Pierre Hermé. When you eat is entirely up to you and the setting will always be private and never the same, whether in the herb garden, a hidden corner of the Kasbah by lantern or a picnic by a desert oasis.

Overview

Behind a modest facade close to the Koutoubia Mosque and bustling Jemaa El Fna Square, what was once a grand private riad has been transformed into a sanctuary of a luxury hotel.

The Villa des Orangers is an elegant place, with 27 rooms and suites arranged around three garden patios, fragrant with citrus tree accompanied by the sounds of songbirds and tricking fountains. Décor is palatial, with fine fabrics, intricate stuccowork, carved wood and antiques. Most of the rooms have their own balconies or terraces, with the ‘Private Riad’ enjoying two bedrooms, solarium, plunge pool and its own private entrance.

A sparkling swimming pool sits at the heart of the property (a can be found on the rooftop overlooking second rooftop overlooking the Koutoubia and Atlas Mountains), next to which is the excellent Mediterranean restaurant. Other spots to relax include fire-warmed lounges, a cigar cellar, an impressive hammam and a spa.

Overview

Step out of the medina through a nondescript wooden door into one of the city’s most stylish oases. Le Farnatchi has just 10 unique suites, blending Moroccan and European influences, all have fireplaces, a balcony or patio, plenty of living space and grand bathrooms. When it comes to decor, you’ll find hand-crafted beds, hand-carved plasterwork, Moroccan tiles and locally-produced furniture.

The hotel’s restaurant, Le Trou au Mur, is chic and laid-back space offering a selection of traditional and intricate Moroccan dishes. There’s also a selection of international comfort food.

Take time for yourself to recharge, book a session or two at the Le Farnatchi spa with its private marble hammams, tranquil treatment rooms and world-class local beauty products.

Overview

In an enviable location close to Marrakesh’s medina and Jemaa el Fna square, in the middle of beautiful royal gardens from which it takes its name, La Mamounia is an icon of luxury and Moroccan hospitality.

For almost a century, the landmark hotel has attracted dignified clientele from around the globe, being a firm favourite of Winston Churchill (who has both a suite and bar named in his honour) and Hollywood stars, as well being where James Stewart and Doris Day stay in Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The Man Who Knew Too Much’.

While countless other luxury hotels have opened in Marrakesh since 1923, La Mamounia has confidently remained one of the finest establishments in the city with modern yet considerate updates under notable architects to its palatial Deco-Moroccan interiors, world class chefs and timeless service.

There are 136 rooms, 71 suites and three private three-bedroom riads. The higher the floor, the better the view over the medina or gardens, especially from those with private balconies. The style is unashamedly Moroccan, with dazzling tiles, intricate stuccowork and sumptuous fabrics.

Four acclaimed restaurants include the slightly formal Le Français, L’Italien and fabulous Le Marocain, each serving modern takes on national cuisine, as well as the relaxed Pool Pavilion, the spot for breakfast and lunch buffets as well as a famous Sunday brunch. There are also four bars and a pastry shop which sits the edge of the park.

Another highlight here is the expansive spa, with traditional hammams, heated pool, and numerous booths to indulge in all-natural products made from Moroccan argon oil, ghassoul, saffron and more.