Palais Aziza & Spa ★★★★★

Palais Aziza is very close to the heart of the imperial city. This five-star hotel is nestled away in the middle of a green oasis located in the most exclusive recess of Marrakech's palm grove "La Palmeraie", an elegant and serene haven of luxury and simplicity. The gardens are planted with fruit and palm trees, and flower beds are tastefully laid out around the patios and pools. Feeling totally swept away by the exquisiteness surrounding us, we know that our holiday at last begun!

Entering the immense lobby we are immediately taken aback by its beauty: the décor is traditional with a palette of rich reds and browns, with zellige tiles, Moorish arches and handcrafted lanterns and furniture. Our room is a very extravagant pavilion suite with barrel-vaulted ceilings and a pretty little private garden. The bathroom is smart and spacious, with double vanity mirrors and a whirlpool tub. Exhausted from our journey we decide to have a little rest in the extremely comfortable bed, covered with duck down duvets and Egyptian cotton sheets. Within seconds, we are asleep… Afterward, we head towards the two swimming pools, one heated and one cold; we opt for the cold one to wake ourselves up and cool off from the heat of the beautiful radiant day.Our jaunt in the pool, inevitably lead to treating ourselves to the Hammam and Spa, with their traditional rituals and natural body-care products by “Les Sens de Marrakech”; we chose the divine Moroccan scrub and four hands massage.

We later head towards the main restaurant – Maroliano – which offers a delicious fusion of Moroccan and Italian cuisines; pasta with pistachio and basil pesto is found alongside chicken tagine on the menu. The breakfast is something else: eggs, toast and pastries, courteously served just by the pool – this I could get used to; it is an unbeatable way to wake up to the day!

Next we decide to take a walk in Marrakech’s Medina where we heard the souks were well worth a paying visit… with the weavers’ workshops, the carpenters, the coppersmiths, the shoemakers and the blacksmiths. We love to lose ourselves in the maze of colours, to breathe in the spices, admire the rugs and try on the very comfortable balghas... South of the medina behind its gigantic walls, the Kasbah of Marrakech has an invaluable historical heritage. We enter the Saadian mausoleum and learn all about the legends of this powerful dynasty that ruled Morocco for over a century. After which we let ourselves be tempted by a leisurely stroll through the beautiful gardens of the necropolis, a haven of peace...

Back at the hotel, we are offered a very tasty mint tea on the edge of the swimming pool with our feet in the water. Palais Aziza, without an ounce of doubt, deserves a high recommendation; the staff are receptive and helpful, the tranquillity is unbelievably soothing, the range of luxuries on offer are excellent and the location impeccable. We are truly convinced that we have found the place to have a superbly relaxing holiday, under the strong Moroccan sun.