Les Jardins de la Médina

With a consistent five star rating, an unfaltering reputation of excellence but only 36 rooms, I still can’t believe how lucky my partner and I were in getting, at short notice, a room in this boutique hotel. That feeling of blessed luck stayed with me the whole holiday, from the moment I arrived at the resort’s wooden door entrance with mounted torches either side, to the moment I reluctantly checked out of its opulent lobby a few days later.

You can’t help but feel special when entering Les Jardins de la Medina. On your first day, the incredible staff shower you with gifts – Moroccan pastries, wine, flower bouquets and a choice of pillow fragrances to name but a few of them! The rooms, similarly, are filled with a ceaseless selection of luxury products and amenities. Our Sultan Suite’s herbal teas, fresh fruit, luscious bath products and rainforest shower made freshening up a pleasure.

Everything from the colourful Moroccan rug to the rustic window shutter contributed toward the suite’s atmospheric aura of mystery and exoticism. The Moorish decor, cushy settee and earthy shades of red and orange would make anyone believe they were in an epic tale from ‘Arabian Nights’. The sweet scent of Jasmine would fill our heads as we drifted to sleep, dreaming of desert journeys and starry skies. We later learned that each Sultan Suite was unique, all differing in their personal touches – I can’t help but marvel at such dedication; the designers of ‘Les Jardins de la Medina’ are truly passionate about offering their guests variety and exceptionalities.

We made a real attempt to fit in all the activities, special events and facilities offered by the hotel – alas, the list was endless! We were, however, wise enough to try the hotel’s reputable cookery class. Using ancestral Moroccan recipes to make bread, couscous, pastries and salad, we played chef in the hotel’s rooftop kitchen – a gorgeously atmospheric place with a wealth of cooking equipment and ingredients to choose from.

When we weren’t exploring the city or discovering ancient recipes, we relaxed by the poolside. As one of the largest pools in Medina, an aura of spaciousness gives this heated swimmer sanctuary an extra luxurious touch. Volcanic rock, palm trees and other vibrantly green plants surrounded us as we sipped on cocktails made from fresh orange juice, passion fruit puree and the finest Caribbean rum. At lunch time, we enjoyed a light salad prepared for us by fantastic chefs under the poolside banana trees. Amidst the heat and excited bustle of Marrakech, this peaceful and cool haven truly does have an ‘oasis effect’.

As with any exemplary riad, an enticing sense of enigma fills every space, as if one has travelled back in time. This compelling feeling is made particularly powerful at Les Jardins de la Medina by the sky’s dramatic shade of orange during sunset, the hotel’s many romantic lanterns and the intricate patterns of its vases, fabrics and artwork. At one point, I was surprised to spot an impressive fireplace inside the building and it dawned on me how equally atmospheric and cosy this resort must be during winter.

The real prize for us (and there were many to choose from!) was the hotel restaurant. Being the food lovers we are, my partner and I have high expectations with regard to fine dining. We need a versatile menu for our differing tastes, an inspiringly unique dining venue and a sense that the food is created with absolute passion. It’s no wonder, then, that we kept returning to Les Jardins de la Medina’s restaurant, with is fusion of traditional Berber dishes, oriental cuisine and Italian flavours. Seated in beautiful wicker chairs, we enjoyed the restaurant’s sumptuous food whilst admiring the tall pillar walls and Moroccan art around us. This spectacular restaurant is what will bring us back to Les Jardins de la Medina during our next visit to the fantastic city of Marrakech. Well...that, and about a hundred other things!