Elite Traveler March-April 2016

EXPLORE MARRAKECH

Presidential Suite ROYAL PALM MARRAKECH

Villa Azzaytouna EZZAHRA

The maverick owners of this private walled estate in Palmerai, a leafy neighborhood to the north east of the Medina, have created exactly what they would want in their own family home and made it available to visitors, who have included Daniel Craig and various royalty. Villa Azzaytouna is its newest house (there are two others) and it reflects their personal tastes in the form of exquisite antiques in the three bedrooms (where televisions are artfully hidden by huge wall-hung tapestries) and a stunning private art collection housed throughout the villa. Outside are enormous grassy gardens planted with palms and olive trees. This is low-tech luxury with an unbeatable atmosphere. The fact that there are more staff than guests only adds to the sense of bohemian indulgence. Special amenities Personal hammam with beauty staff available just for guests of the villa 24/7, so no need to book. Fully all-inclusive service, from special events in the Berber tent to rustling up camels to entertain children in the garden. Size: 5,166 sq ft

You can refurbish the villa to your personal taste, as they did for Catherine Deneuve xxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. The only Marrakech hotel to market itself as a six star is a spacious, everything-in-one-place resort, just over four miles south of the city en route to the dramatic Atlas Mountains. Its must-book room, especially for golfers, is the Presidential Suite with interconnecting rooms and dramatic black and white marble color scheme. The main terrace, laid with Moroccan tiles and covered by a sail-like shade designed to mimic a Bedouin tent, leads onto the southern end of the 18-hole Royal Palm course and there’s another more private outdoor area with its own Jacuzzi. The resort is also home to Marrakech’s largest pool, a Clarins spa and a store that sells olive oil made from the 4,000 olive trees on site. Special amenities Direct no reservation access to a course that normally requires 48 hours’ notice of intention to play, private elevator, butler service. Size 3,336 sq ft Number of bedrooms Two Weekly rate: $12,750 Contact Xavier Jolivet, general manager, +212 524 487 820, management@royalpalmmarrakech.com, royalpalmmarrakech.com

Number of bedrooms Three Weekly rate From $15,600 Contact Brian Callaghan, owner, brian@caletahotel.gi, ezzahra-morocco.com