Editors' Picks

Amanjena

Resort-like, Palmaraie setting, gorgeous grounds

Route De Ouarzazate Km 12, Marrakech 40000

212 (0) 5-24-399-000

See Website

At a Glance

This Aman property outside of the city, just fifteen minutes from the medina, is deliciously decadent and justly deserves the awe it inspires.

Indagare Loves

  • The beautiful gardens surrounding the property
  • The sense of space and serenity just outside the busyness of Marrakech
  • The staff's incredible attention to detail

Review

Designed by Ed Tuttle, the master of refinement behind many Aman resorts, Amanjena has utterly stunning architecture. The vast rooms, which are set around twelve and a half acres, epitomize grand minimalism. If the palm trees seem to line up just right—even heightwise—with the building columns, and all the pillows are at exactly the same angle, it is not by accident: Aman founder Adrian Zecha focused obsessively on getting all the details right. Your suitcase is unpacked for you, cold washcloths magically appear just when desired, rose petals float about the many pools, and sunbathers are served sorbet at teatime.

The property is centered on a huge square reflecting pool lined by palms and ferns. At night, amid the sparkle of dozens of perfectly placed lanterns and crackling bonfires, it is simply magical. There are two restaurants, two wonderful hammams, and two golf courses nearby. The staff is able to arrange for guides (accompanied by drivers and air-conditioned cars) to take you through the souk or hiking in the mountains.

The resort has such peace, beauty and harmony that it feels almost spiritual. The staff is flawless and intuitive (they started preparing my cappuccino as they saw me approaching breakfast). The twenty-minute drive from the medina means you spend a lot of time in cars going back and forth, which can be spent getting to know some of the staff members, and can be a nice element of the trip rather than an annoyance.

Two complaints: the music and lighting systems were extremely complicated with no in-room instructions, and the interiors can feel a little cold and minimalist for such a decorative culture.

Good to Know: Two-bedroom maisons have a large living room with a fireplace, one bedroom upstairs and another downstairs. The advantage of the upstairs bedroom is a huge bathroom with a bath; the disadvantage is that because it has interior windows that face the courtyard-like living room, it is not especially private. While less exposed, the downstairs bedroom has the disadvantage of having only a shower, no bath. That configuration is best for families, who would also like the private pool.

Who Should Stay

Couples and travelers who have possibly been to Marrakech before and are looking for a retreat from the medina/city.

Written by Melissa Biggs Bradley

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