Prices are per room, per night, based on two sharing, and include breakfast.
MARRAKESH
Caravanserai, Palmeraie
Hip, utterly Moroccan — this retreat on the edge of a Berber village, olive groves and desert is an example of the simplicity of form that makes structures here so special. The marble-hard tadelakt lends itself perfectly to
the sprawling layout, incorporating cushion- festooned terraces and an impressive hammam and indoor plunge pool, ideal for couples keen
to spend their time as a twosome.
Best room: The Pool Suite is like a private apartment, with a corner lounge, circular boudoir and party-sized terrace.
Best meal: Don’t blanch at the word “buffet”; here it means mouth-watering banquets at breakfast and lunch.
What to pack: Bikini and binoculars.
Contact: 00 212 24 300302, www.caravanserai.com; £156-£265.
Dar Les Cigognes, Medina
Here, Charles Boccara, the Parisian architect responsible for some of this city’s chicest retreats, applied his Midas touch to this 17th-century former merchant’s home opposite the Royal Palace. He transformed it into a boutique bolt hole ripe to lure couples, young and old, from around the world.
Best room: Fans of four-poster beds earmark ruby-hued Harem, or the
Silver deluxe room, with its huge bath and palace view.
Best meal: Learn to cook like a local, thanks to a pre-dinner tutorial in making the perfect couscous.
What to pack: Forget reading matter — a library provides books to enjoy on the bougainvillea-draped terrace.
Contact: 382740, www.lescigognes.com; £95-£180.
Dar Zemora, Palmeraie
There’s no better representation of souk fabulous than this roomy edge-of-desert hideaway. Guests are global, from newborns to nonagenarians, and it is a popular place to book as a whole for weddings and birthday celebrations.
Best room: Provided stairs don’t bother you, perch in the rooftop Perla suite, overlooking the gardens and palm groves.
Best meal: Take a 15-minute cab ride to designer hangout, Bô-zin(388012). Set up by the former manager of Le Comptoir in Paris, it’s as slick as can be (with prices to match).
What to pack: Your entire family, for a special occasion.
Contact: 328200, www.darzemora.com; £165-£255.
Jnane Tamsna, Palmeraie
If in your dream of a Moroccan sojourn, you’re relaxing under palm fronds poolside, or inside a chic art-filled retreat that feels more aristo residence than hotel, then consider Meryanne Loum-Martin’s three-villa property the place for you. The many interesting objêts d’art are the ideal complement to her just-so approach to interior design.
Best room: Each is utterly different, so opt for your favourite colour. If luxury, for you, means space, pick the Blue Animal Room. The Syrian Room is green on the inside, and in its olive-grove view. For a private pool, bookmark Moussafir House.
Best meal: Here, it’s all about the liquid delights at cocktail hour.
What to pack: Multiple swimwear options.
Contact: 329423, www.jnanetamsna.com; £170-£306.
Ksar Char-Bagh, Palmeraie
Never has “purpose built” been so misleading. This three-year-old sprawling Moorish-style pleasure-dome on the edge of the Atlas mountains exemplifies “attention to detail”: weighty silver door keys, private hammams perfect for couples, and bespoke toiletries in cut-glass bottles.
Best room: If budget allows, room 14, an apartment in its own right, has private terrace and pool. Room 3 is super-spacious.
Best meal: It would be foolish not to sample on-site Alain Ducasse protégé Damien Durand’s French/Med/Maroc cuisine.
What to pack: Gear to take advantage of two heated pools, a tennis court, spa and gym facilities.
Contact: 329244, www.ksarcharbagh.com; about £400-£660.
Kssour Agafay, Medina
Just like all dignified members’ clubs, there’s little to indicate that the heavy wooden doors to this 15th-century riad are an entrance to the city’s most exclusive, highbrow social hub. Intricately tiled walls, leather armchairs and bulging bookshelves make this three-storey, six-room hotel the perfect bolt hole for bohemian travellers.
Best room: For a spectacular view of the famous mosque from your private terrace, check into the Koutoubia suite.
Best meal: If you eat at one restaurant in Marrakesh, make it Casa Lalla at 16 Derb Jamaa on rue Riad Zaitoune Lakdime (429757). Just make sure to book weeks in advance and that you’re punctual. Arrive a second after the 8pm Euro/Moroccan six-courser kick-off and you’ll incur the wrath of the British chef Richard Neat.
What to pack: A yearning for cultural nourishment.
Contact: 427000, www.kssouragafay.com; £237-£271.
Palais Rhoul, Dar Tounsi
Hide away in acres of lush gardens for the ultimate romantic escape. These six sumptuous Arabic-tented suites and 12 art-filled and mod-con enhanced guest rooms are fit for royalty.
Best room: A sunken pool and open fire make Harem the tent for honeymooners. With oil paintings and two huge beds, Chambre du Maître is the grandest poolside suite.
Best meal: Fancy à la carte offerings from the French chef at the helm of the in-house eatery, L’Abysinn.
What to pack: Fitness-related kit for the spa, gym and spring-water pool. Or ditch all health-related sentiments and bring posh loungewear for the cigar room and cocktail bar.
Contact: 329494, www.palais-rhoul.com; £156-£334.
Riad 72, Medina
High, intricately carved ceilings and eye-catching copper lanterns enhance this Asian-accented homely-but-hip riad. Pull up an enormous cushion, and recharge your batteries in the banana tree and fountain-filled courtyard or on the uncharacteristically high-up pool terrace, ready to hit the colourful souks, a stroll away.
Best room: Of the four rooms, the spacious-yet-cosy Karma suite is most special; extra eye candy comes in a cupola above the enormous bed.
Best meal: To enjoy wonderfully traditional cooking, reserve a garden table at Dar Moha at 81 Rue Dar el Bacha (386264), former residence of Pierre Balmain.
What to pack: A fistful of dirhams to blow in the market.
Contact: 387629, www.riad72.com; £85-£187.
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Riad 12, Medina
Airy and elegant, this little sibling to Riad 72 has only two doubles and a single room — perfect for couples craving the most intimate of stylish stays. As chic as its sister, with a gorgeous green garden, perfect for lazy afternoons.
Best room: If for you big is better, Chambre Camelia is really sizeable, down to its huge marble bath.
Best meal: Feast on all the local favourites from tajines to briouats (sweet almond pastries) at Dar Zallej at 1, Kaasour Sidi Ben Slimane.
What to pack: Elasticated waistbands, so you can over-indulge on their afternoon offering of sweet mint tea and irresistible biscuits.
Contact: 387629, www.riad12.com, £119.
Riad Lotus Ambre, Medina
A meander from the main square, the Warhol-style works in the five boudoirs of this modern-minded riad determine the rooms’ names. Other than the pop-art portraits from Marilyn to Mao, the interior is quite masculine, while the white-styled roof terrace with cushion-laden daybeds and hot tub give it a Miami feel.
Best room: For Jackie O fans travelling en famille: Suite Kennedy. It includes a TV lounge and twin-bed cabin adjoining the master bedroom.
Best meal: Moroccan in the garden café at Les Jardins de la Koutoubia Hotel near Jemaa el Fna.
What to pack: A compass. The labyrinthine lanes are tricky to navigate.
Contact: 441405, www.riadslotus.com; £126-£170.
Riad Lotus Perle, Medina
If you’re after contemporary cool, this is one heck of a glossy designer departure from the normal school of riad decor. It’s black and white throughout and Art Deco inspired. The only problem with this immaculate five-bedroomed pad is that you might feel guilty messing up its photoshoot slickness.
Best room: When staying somewhere so monochrome and à la mode, the Coco Chanel room is most fitting, especially if you adore bling bathrooms; with a marble tub and open fireplace, ablutions have never been so glam.
Best meal: Fill your belly, next to bejewelled ones dancing at Dar Marjana at 15, Derb Sidi Tair (385110).
What to pack: A French phrasebook.
Contact: 375460, www.riadslotus.com; £153-£177.
Riad Mehdi, Kasbah
It may be in the heart of a teeming 1,000-year-old metropolis, but this orange blossom-infused, flower petal-festooned hideaway is as soothing as can be. Red rugs and billowing coral-coloured fabrics lead to a covered courtyard of snow-white loungers, where guests await more pampering in the second-to-none spa.
Best room: Internal rooms are windowless; plump for one of the four opulent suites overlooking the pool and garden.
Best meal: Amble over to Kosybar on Place des Feblantiers and enjoy pasta or salad on the roof terrace, or while away an evening in the ground-floor piano bar.
What to pack: The Sheltering Sky or The Spider’s House by Paul Bowles for those sunlounger moments.
Contact: 384713, www.riadmehdi.net; £68-£170.
