L’hôtel Marrakech
Marrakech, Morocco
The lowdown Moroccan charm with a heady dose of Thirties glamour. Best for Wafting between the pool and the sun terrace in your kaftan. As soon as you walk into the courtyard garden at L’hôtel Marrakech, you’ll be transported from the hubbub of Marrakech’s medina into an oasis of calm. This 19th-century riad (originally the central part of a Caidal palace) is owned by couturier and scion of the design dynasty Jasper Conran. Restored by local craftsmen using traditional materials, the five spacious suites – each set around a spectacular courtyard garden – channel simple Thirties elegance with whitewashed walls, zouak (painted woodwork) ceilings and zellige tiles, all artfully combined with antique furniture, plus textiles and art from Jasper Conran’s own collections. Add in white voile curtains draped around the beds and more that billow out in the breeze on to the private terraces and you get the picture. The courtyard garden boasts a 10m swimming pool (a rare find in the medina) amid the lush foliage and the roof terrace offers the perfect spot for sun lovers, as well as a vista that includes the Atlas mountains and the skyline of Marrakech. Breakfast and lunch are served under the rooftop pergola and you can indulge in afternoon tea or a cooling cocktail or two at the tables laid out among the orange, fig and olive trees. Not a fan of sharing? L’hôtel Marrakech is available for private hire, so you could have it all to yourself, or invite friends along for the ride so you can play house and host your own stylish soirée.
Book it Suites from approx £261 (l-hotelmarrakech.com).