Villa des Orangers

Comprising two riad townhouses in the Medina, Villa des Orangers combines the exotic flair and quality craftsmanship of Marrakech with a true French l’art de vivre. You feel it in every corner of this special spot—from the exquisite, tiled courtyard to the serene pool area, where chaise lounges are shaded by olive trees. Opened in 2000 by owners Pascal and Véronique Behérec—who came to Marrakech for a holiday and fell in love and stayed—Villa des Orangers has 32 guest rooms (many with fireplaces and balconies). The property feels private and discreet, with endless alcoves for lounging, a wood paneled library and a small rooftop pool (in addition to the courtyard pool)—all just blocks from the Djemaa el Fna square and adjacent souks. The gastronomic restaurant serves some of the best food in Marrakech and the setting is wonderfully atmospheric. A dinner here is a must even if you aren’t staying.

The Standout: The impeccable staff, most of whom have been at the hotel since it opened (that’s over two decades!) Don’t Miss: A candlelit private dinner experience in the Desert d’Agafay

• The best of a boutique hotel experience in the medina
• The chic but relaxed setting
• Dining in the beautiful courtyard beside the fountain or main pool

In what feels more like a tiny Moroccan palace than a typical townhouse, Villa des Orangers combines the exotic flair and quality craftsmanship of Marrakech with a true French l’art de vivre. From the exquisite tiled courtyard to the serene pool area, where chaise longues are shaded by olive trees, each corner of the property has been crafted with the utmost style to evoke a sense of place.

The French owners, Véronique and Pascal Beherec, worked with local craftsmen to incorporate intricate tile patterns, plaster carving and wood and iron work, which is complemented by Berber carpets, black and white photographs and elegant fabrics and decorative details. Each of the 32 rooms is slightly different (the top suites are luxurious and elegant, while some of the entry-level rooms are a bit more dated), but all feel light and authentic, and many have fireplaces and balconies.

In one, there’s a fabulous thatch-branch chandelier; in another, a massive antique wood headboard. Some even have fireplaces in the bathroom. The wood paneled library, with its enormous fireplace, mixes deco velvet club chairs, leather couches and Moroccan lanterns.

For a more intimate meal, guests can choose not to dine in the gastronomic restaurant, but instead have a table set up in the library or outside in one of the smaller courtyards facing a fountain. There’s a tiny rooftop pool as well as an 18-meter one that adds a resort feeling to the property, which sits only blocks from the bustling Djemaa el Fna square and the souks.

Couples and families with older children who seek a soulful hideaway and expect exquisite service and surroundings but want a more intimate experience in the medina than La Mamounia.