Nicest Hotel in Marrakech
#256
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Join Date: Aug 2013
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Marrakesh weather this year is strange... in early May at Amanjena we lit the fireplace everyday and spent our days inside with heating on because it was to cold and uncomfortable to be outside...
Even now, temperatures are below 40 during daytime and below 20 at night.
Even now, temperatures are below 40 during daytime and below 20 at night.
#257
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
Programs: AA ExPlat, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 909
Another excellent luxury hotel thread. Thank you one and all. First Marrakech visit coming up early October.
After narrowing between Royal Mansour and Amanjena for my five nights, I booked into the latter via FHR, in part because of a 4/3 deal that brought the effective rate down well below €600/nt for the 175sqm Pavilion Basin room and in part because the only accommodation available on the RM website was a 3BR villa--a bit large for a solo traveller.
Despite a taste for finer places, I was reluctant to book this Aman as my only prior experience at one--January 2016 @ Amanusa--wasn't especially stellar in terms of either service or accommodation. Perhaps part of the problem was being bowled over in both regards at the brand new Mandapa just previously. In any event, should one of you regulars be willing to PM me with the contact info for Amanjena's GM, I would be pleased to introduce myself and note my awareness of his many fans here in this forum.
Beyond that, most of my trips have a culinary focus. A nice hotel meal or two is fine, but I do enjoy mixing it right up in the middle of main part of town for well-prepared local food. If that's possible for a non-French or Arabic speaker, I would appreciate your recommendations... either for places to try or guides who really know their stuff.
The only other question is regarding a possible day trip to the coast. It looks, frankly, like getting to Essaouira is kind of a pain...no train and 2.5 hour drive. Alternative ideas?
Appreciate the help, once again, as my planning has lagged.. I've been spending a lot of time recently working on a couple other upcoming trips (return to Tokyo plus first visit to Osaka) early September and next week's last blast of summer in London and Amsterdam with the daughter before sending her back to college.
After narrowing between Royal Mansour and Amanjena for my five nights, I booked into the latter via FHR, in part because of a 4/3 deal that brought the effective rate down well below €600/nt for the 175sqm Pavilion Basin room and in part because the only accommodation available on the RM website was a 3BR villa--a bit large for a solo traveller.
Despite a taste for finer places, I was reluctant to book this Aman as my only prior experience at one--January 2016 @ Amanusa--wasn't especially stellar in terms of either service or accommodation. Perhaps part of the problem was being bowled over in both regards at the brand new Mandapa just previously. In any event, should one of you regulars be willing to PM me with the contact info for Amanjena's GM, I would be pleased to introduce myself and note my awareness of his many fans here in this forum.
Beyond that, most of my trips have a culinary focus. A nice hotel meal or two is fine, but I do enjoy mixing it right up in the middle of main part of town for well-prepared local food. If that's possible for a non-French or Arabic speaker, I would appreciate your recommendations... either for places to try or guides who really know their stuff.
The only other question is regarding a possible day trip to the coast. It looks, frankly, like getting to Essaouira is kind of a pain...no train and 2.5 hour drive. Alternative ideas?
Appreciate the help, once again, as my planning has lagged.. I've been spending a lot of time recently working on a couple other upcoming trips (return to Tokyo plus first visit to Osaka) early September and next week's last blast of summer in London and Amsterdam with the daughter before sending her back to college.
Last edited by mczlaw; Aug 5, 2018 at 8:57 am
#258
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 339
early okt temperature is a bit lower then
alternative close by is majorelle, fitna square
ourika valley
waterfalls of ouzoud a bit further away
food
marocans always say the best food is made bij familie
we live here allready 8 years and its trough
advice iff you want a tajine the best will take 2 hours off more off slow cooking
nice tajines chicken almonds /chicken prunes and egg /tajine koffte/berberpizza ingredients and taste depending city and cook .
itsa pity that you stay short otherwise i could give you a tour in my village
its round 7 hours driving south passing quarzazate [moviestudios ]
greetings
kees
alternative close by is majorelle, fitna square
ourika valley
waterfalls of ouzoud a bit further away
food
marocans always say the best food is made bij familie
we live here allready 8 years and its trough
advice iff you want a tajine the best will take 2 hours off more off slow cooking
nice tajines chicken almonds /chicken prunes and egg /tajine koffte/berberpizza ingredients and taste depending city and cook .
itsa pity that you stay short otherwise i could give you a tour in my village
its round 7 hours driving south passing quarzazate [moviestudios ]
greetings
kees
#259
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: N/A
Programs: N/A
Posts: 823
Another excellent luxury hotel thread. Thank you one and all. First Marrakech visit coming up early October.
After narrowing between Royal Mansour and Amanjena for my five nights, I booked into the latter via FHR, in part because of a 4/3 deal that brought the effective rate down well below €600/nt for the 175sqm Pavilion Basin room and in part because the only accommodation available on the RM website was a 3BR villa--a bit large for a solo traveller.
Despite a taste for finer places, I was reluctant to book this Aman as my only prior experience at one--January 2016 @ Amanusa--wasn't especially stellar in terms of either service or accommodation. Perhaps part of the problem was being bowled over in both regards at the brand new Mandapa just previously. In any event, should one of you regulars be willing to PM me with the contact info for Amanjena's GM, I would be pleased to introduce myself and note my awareness of his many fans here in this forum.
Beyond that, most of my trips have a culinary focus. A nice hotel meal or two is fine, but do enjoy mixing it right up in the middle of main part of town for well-prepared local food. If that's possible for a non-French or Arabic speaker, I would appreciate your recommendations... either for places to try or guides who really know their stuff.
The only other question is regarding a possible day trip to the coast. It looks, frankly, like getting to Essaouira is kind of a pain...no train and 2.5 hour drive. Alternative ideas?
Appreciate the help, once again, as my planning has lagged.. I've been spending a lot of time recently working on a couple other upcoming trips (return to Tokyo plus first visit to Osaka) early September and next week's last blast of summer in London and Amsterdam with the daughter before sending her back to college.
After narrowing between Royal Mansour and Amanjena for my five nights, I booked into the latter via FHR, in part because of a 4/3 deal that brought the effective rate down well below €600/nt for the 175sqm Pavilion Basin room and in part because the only accommodation available on the RM website was a 3BR villa--a bit large for a solo traveller.
Despite a taste for finer places, I was reluctant to book this Aman as my only prior experience at one--January 2016 @ Amanusa--wasn't especially stellar in terms of either service or accommodation. Perhaps part of the problem was being bowled over in both regards at the brand new Mandapa just previously. In any event, should one of you regulars be willing to PM me with the contact info for Amanjena's GM, I would be pleased to introduce myself and note my awareness of his many fans here in this forum.
Beyond that, most of my trips have a culinary focus. A nice hotel meal or two is fine, but do enjoy mixing it right up in the middle of main part of town for well-prepared local food. If that's possible for a non-French or Arabic speaker, I would appreciate your recommendations... either for places to try or guides who really know their stuff.
The only other question is regarding a possible day trip to the coast. It looks, frankly, like getting to Essaouira is kind of a pain...no train and 2.5 hour drive. Alternative ideas?
Appreciate the help, once again, as my planning has lagged.. I've been spending a lot of time recently working on a couple other upcoming trips (return to Tokyo plus first visit to Osaka) early September and next week's last blast of summer in London and Amsterdam with the daughter before sending her back to college.
One warning that I assume you already are aware of is that Jena is well outside of town. It is about a 15-20 minute drive and taxis are not as cheap as one would expect. I think they charge 200-250MAD from Jena into town. Coming back should be able to get it for a little less.
I believe Nicolas Ilickovic is still the GM there. Nicolas is an Aman vet and should take good care of you.
I do not know the city well enough to make dining recs but there are plentiful options in the city so I assume others can chime in.
Last edited by A4K; Aug 5, 2018 at 6:10 pm
#261
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: France
Posts: 971
I am currently staying at Amanjena in Maison Jardin #42 . The Jardin is actually not so large and it is almost fully paved so no grass, but it is most private and the swimming pool is great, even better than the one of Maison Al Hamra. I am trying to put some pictures but it seems I am definitely not a geek. Which hosting site shall I use?
May be the Instagram link works?
May be the Instagram link works?
#262
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
presumably other maison jardin has more space? 2 or 4? (2 or 4 maison without jardin)
I went directly to Livio (the GM, ex GM of sveti Stefan, marvellous guy) to see if any of the Maison jardins were available. He told me Number 11 and 10 were available and took me there to see both. 11 apparently has the largest garden among maison jardins and it was so nice. It had two dining tables in the garden, (in front of the pool and in front of the fireplace next to the maison), a butler's pantry behind the fireplace and the same gazebo in the corner of the garden. This maison can also be connected to a pavillion without a pool.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Aug 12, 2018 at 12:41 pm
#263
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,314
Hi;
I'll be at the Farimont, I thought 2000 MAD RT for transport for 5 people in a Mercedes Viano to town for dinner was pretty steep (especially since I'll be going to Marjorelle in the AM, which will be a separate 2000), but if things are 200-250 one way for a cab into town (and will need two cabs), maybe it's worth it?
Thoughts?
Anyone have recommendations on an SUV and driver for the day if the hotel price is high vs. the market?
I'll be at the Farimont, I thought 2000 MAD RT for transport for 5 people in a Mercedes Viano to town for dinner was pretty steep (especially since I'll be going to Marjorelle in the AM, which will be a separate 2000), but if things are 200-250 one way for a cab into town (and will need two cabs), maybe it's worth it?
Thoughts?
Anyone have recommendations on an SUV and driver for the day if the hotel price is high vs. the market?
#264
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,314
I normally am pretty strict about no raw food in places I can't drink the water. Sometimes I let up a little on the last couple of days.However, the Morrocan cuisine seems pretty heavy on the salads as starters, which normally I love
Have have you folks with delicate stomachs handled salad at dinners at the upscale places like the high end ones La Mamounia (la Marocain), Royal Mansour (le grand table Marocaine), Fairmont (Al Ain)? (I will also be dining at Al Fasia.). Any misfortune.
Have have you folks with delicate stomachs handled salad at dinners at the upscale places like the high end ones La Mamounia (la Marocain), Royal Mansour (le grand table Marocaine), Fairmont (Al Ain)? (I will also be dining at Al Fasia.). Any misfortune.
Last edited by beachfan; Sep 9, 2018 at 6:49 pm
#265
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,600
Not sure why you think you can’t drink the water in Marrakech? Never had any problems whatsoever and I am usually very sensitive to such things.
Refresh my memory where you will be staying again? Never had problems at Jena or FS. I found the Moroccan water to be quite soft, easy on the hair too.
I would encourage you to try various styles of Moroccan salads.
Lorenzo B at Jena did the best Italian salads I tried so far, still dreaming of his version of a Sicilian salad with grapefruits and oranges.
Refresh my memory where you will be staying again? Never had problems at Jena or FS. I found the Moroccan water to be quite soft, easy on the hair too.
I would encourage you to try various styles of Moroccan salads.
Lorenzo B at Jena did the best Italian salads I tried so far, still dreaming of his version of a Sicilian salad with grapefruits and oranges.
#266
I normally am pretty strict about no raw food in places I can't drink the water. Sometimes I let up a little on the last couple of days.However, the Morrocan cuisine seems pretty heavy on the salads as starters, which normally I love
Have have you folks with delicate stomachs handled salad at dinners at the upscale places like the high end ones La Mamounia (la Marocain), Royal Mansour (le grand table Marocaine), Fairmont (Al Ain)? (I will also be dining at Al Fasia.). Any misfortune.
Have have you folks with delicate stomachs handled salad at dinners at the upscale places like the high end ones La Mamounia (la Marocain), Royal Mansour (le grand table Marocaine), Fairmont (Al Ain)? (I will also be dining at Al Fasia.). Any misfortune.
#267
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,314
Not sure why you think you can’t drink the water in Marrakech? Never had any problems whatsoever and I am usually very sensitive to such things.
Refresh my memory where you will be staying again? Never had problems at Jena or FS. I found the Moroccan water to be quite soft, easy on the hair too.
I would encourage you to try various styles of Moroccan salads.
Lorenzo B at Jena did the best Italian salads I tried so far, still dreaming of his version of a Sicilian salad with grapefruits and oranges.
Refresh my memory where you will be staying again? Never had problems at Jena or FS. I found the Moroccan water to be quite soft, easy on the hair too.
I would encourage you to try various styles of Moroccan salads.
Lorenzo B at Jena did the best Italian salads I tried so far, still dreaming of his version of a Sicilian salad with grapefruits and oranges.
Here's a typical article:
https://theculturetrip.com/africa/mo...nk-in-morocco/
I'll be staying at the Fairmont Royal Palm and eating there as well as the places I mentioned.
#268
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,314
#269
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303