Les Deux Tours

Marrakech is a multi-coloured maze made up of twisting, turning alleyways that open out into secret bazaars. Aromatic spices drift upwards, mingling with the rustic exteriors of ancient edifices saturated with the city’s religious and cultural past. It’s busy, it’s bright, and it’s beautiful, harbouring secrets in hidden nooks and crannies. The crowds flock to stalls selling fish, furniture, and fragrant gifts, or lean nonchalantly outside tiny teahouses sipping on a hot mint brew.

It’s difficult to escape the melee of the medina, but in the nearby palm groves there’s a charming hideaway that offers solace from the crowds whilst still indulging in the majestic way of life in Marrakech. At Les Deux Tours, unwind in charming, traditional-inspired luxury, and let the estate’s peaceful settings eliminate the stresses of everyday life.
Extending over three hectares of amazing Andalusian gardens, with colourful flowers, plants, and exotic trees, Les Deux Tours prides itself on its secluded surroundings, made all the more enchanting by the exterior’s mixture of classic Moroccan design and nuances of the East. Inside, the refined, elegant design continues with a vaulted ceilings, whimsical arcades and terraces, and private, hidden alcoves decorated with bright splashes of tiles, or zelliges, as the locals call them.

I felt like I had to sneak away from the medina into the inviting arms of Les Deux Tours, what with its exclusive atmosphere. My room, too, felt like my own secret hideout: simple but stylish, airy and bright. My vast bed was dressed in exquisite white linens, matching the cool white interiors throughout. The North African touches added a dash of charm, with colourful tiles adorning the floors, walls, and ceilings, and dark, hardwood furniture adding the signature of Morocco.

Wandering through the rest of the building – the meeting-place for the secret society I had somehow worked my way into – was akin to my explorations through the nearby medina. The rust-coloured walls and dim lighting created a warm, intimate ambience so typical of Marrakech. Exotic potted plants popped up around every corner and luxurious patterned cushions crowded around cosy fireplaces, not unlike the busy teashops in the souks.

After days spent trawling through the trinkets and tasty treats in the medina, where I stood by and watched snake charmers summon their slithering friends, locals breezing by in billowing kaftans. After I listened to the majestic echo of the call to prayer, I retreated to my exclusive hideaway. There, I followed the gentles sounds of the tropical fountains and picturesque ponds, guiding me down the path towards my evening destination – the in-house restaurant. High-ceilinged and high-quality, Salammbo served up an indulgent menu of local delicacies, including hearty meat dishes and warming bouillabaisse. Then it was onto the bar for an evening nightcap and, if you fancy it, a cigar for the ultimate secret society prop.

If the medina and its souks prove too busy for you, then rest assured that Les Deux Tours will offer a genuine experience of Marrakech from the confines of its grounds. Salons and rustic patios can be found throughout the hotel estate, offering cosy corners to kick back and relax in, play some parlour games in, or simply catch up on some work. And, for the ultimate Moroccan experience, dip into the traditional Hammam. Set in a beautiful spa space, the old Ottoman thermal bath is the perfect way to unwind after a hard day’s exploring. I finished up with a massage and a dip in the pool to make the most of the traditional Moroccan pampering.

Marrakech is known for its ancient medina, and its maze of alleyways, souks, and trinket shops, all of which bustle with the charm of daily life. But Morocco is also offers a magnificent mirage in the desert, surrounded by dipping dunes and Bedouin camps. At Les Deux Tours, I got to experience the madness of the medina, as well as the secluded side of the city in the hotel’s peaceful grounds and calm design. It’s definitely a secret society that everyone should know about.