Cesar Resort & Spa ★★★★★

We were ready to give thanks to the Roman gods and emperors (especially Cesar) for blessing us with this establishment. There are many clichés in Marrakech, and as far as hotels are concerned, guests are often seeking  to avoid the countless inauthentic Riads and European-style impersonal resorts. Here at the Cesar Resort & Spa, they have taken the best of both worlds without ever compromising on standards. It’s an entirely unique hybrid establishment with a stylish cosmopolitan feel.

So what does that mean, exactly? Well, it means faultless aesthetics, authentic features, timeless style, and a few surprises! The Cesar Resort & Spa is housed in a contemporary structure that blends modern and traditional Moroccan architecture in a beautiful setting. Urban and contemporary, with refined lines, it has preserved the Moroccan tradition of rooms leading off from a central shaded courtyard (here complete with a swimming pool and luxurious sun loungers). All this is set on the Ourika Valley road, among the Agdal gardens and with a backdrop of the Atlas Mountains.

The hotel also has the surprise of a swimming pool and loungers on the roof, which is perfect for sun-lovers during the day and relaxing evening swims as the sun sets  over the mountains. Later,  you can make your way to the stunning hotel restaurant. Decorated in sleek black marble with ornate Moroccan touches, the dishes here have a thing or two to teach the foodie movement! On top of that, the hotel has a highly contemporary, all-white Cesar spa that offerstraditional body treatments, a Champagne Bar in the lobby, and a rooftop Sky Bar , where tapas and lounge music set the mood for your starlit nights.

Still, the charm of the public spaces is no match for the 28 beautiful and spacious suites. These stylish and luxurious rooms are lined with marble from floor to ceiling. In immaculate white, there are decorative touches in black and red. It is beautiful in its simplicity; every last detail is perfect. And that is no easy feat.

So what is there to criticise? A lack of authenticity, perhaps? Not even! You’ll find the taste of Morocco in the lovely inner courtyard, the ornate balconies, the heavy sculpted doors and of course the traditional beauty treatments that use verbena, green tea, fig and rosemary to relax and beautify you.

The Cesar Resort & Spa was a real discovery, completely off the beaten track of clichéd boutique hotels. Luxury, serenity and pleasure take you on a true journey into another world.