Who's Going
French Couples, Fashion Weekenders, Foodie Class
Reason to Stay
Gourmet Eatery, Central Location, Family-Owned
Hotel Type
Luxury Boutique Hotel
It’s location on one of the walled city’s busier boulevard looks a bit like human “Frogger” as fashionable Frenchmen in traditional robes and Louis Vuitton sneakers dodge passing motorcycles, fruit carts led by lazy coats and endless stray animals just to get to the front door of one of Marrakech’s top luxury properties. Don’t judge this hotel by its auto mechanic and gas station neighbors; a purest family-owned property under the Relais & Chateaux chain that exudes taste and exclusivity within a single step inside the long corridor lined vibrant tiles and silver candlelit lanterns. The lobby and reception is of another time, with wooden key boxes and counter work space overfilled with clerk, ever-stylish manager and attendant waiting to see you into the heart of the hotel that spans over several layers of inner gardens with acclaimed eatery, library bar and fountain courtyard exploding in citrus trees.<br /> <br />Open architecture defines this luxury boutique hotel with cozy library and hidden living rooms concealed behind elaborate doors and windows with arched ceiling with white carved-wood detail. Décor has been consistently upgraded over the years to avoid that feeling of dated-ness that requires some larger Marrakech properties to simply close for multi-year renovations. It’s location at the edge of the medina means its an ideal base for exploring both side of the medina, not just the tourist portions. Three pools include a rooftop location that almost always empty except for the lone attendant who arrives every 30-minutes with cocktail, fruit plate or water pitcher in had. The garden-level poolside gastronomic restaurant is a must even for non-hotel guests, offering tangine delights and improvised Moroccan menu with a fine French twist. <br />
The Room
There is a class system at work in La Villa des Orangers, which is fine as long as you know where you want to be. Entry-level rooms are located on the main floor off a small, charming courtyard near the reception. These double deluxe rooms tend towards the dark, which is probably a good thing given their dated décor of impractical wood sofa and armoire too short even for a normal men’s dress shirt. High ceiling and great bathroom with soaking tub make up for only one window in the room with front terrace shared by 5 other rooms. Be sure to book something, really anything, with a terrace with the most basic offering far brighter spaces with stairway and rooftop terrace a jump away from the rooftop pool. Junior suites and suites are the true finds of the hotel with fireplaces and updated décor with better carpets, period artwork and glamorous bathrooms that have better upkeeping (caulking, loose tiles) than those at the bottom of the room caste system.
Preferred Room
Junior Terrace Suite
Special Features
Hip Clientele, Gourmet Eatery, Historic Location, Family-Owned
Amenities
Restaurant, Bar, Lounge, Wine Service, Rooftop Pool, Garden, Spa
