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Land of the senses
September 03, 2025
Marie Mersier
From iconic Casablanca to mythical Marrakesh, from the medina at Meknes to the souks of Fez, our Moroccan properties celebrate the fine art of hospitality amid the rich culture and rugged nature that surrounds them. They are muses for travel, which effortlessly transform into memories to treasure.
7 min
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Marie Bastide
Legendary Riad, Aromatic Breeze
A former caravanserai, where travelers and merchants would rest during their travels, then later a home to local chieftain Caïd M’bark Saïdi, this haven of tranquility by Essaouira’s medina pays tribute to a timeless art of living. Today, it makes for an elegantly eternal riad where Eastern and European influences converge, where the intimacy of the bedrooms and lounges opens onto the house’s centerpiece: the lush and vibrant patio. Time seems to stop, as guests wander from hammam treatments to the rooftop swimming pool, which offers extraordinary views over the old town and the ocean. This paradise also takes guests on an evocative journey. Scents of honey, olives and pomegranates linger in the air, telling stories of earth, sea and sun.
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Heure Bleue Palais, Essaouira, Morocco
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Heure Bleue Palais, Essaouira, Morocco
Stunning Vistas in a Unique Vineyard
After you have explored the labyrinthine streets of Meknes, it’s time to slip away south. After 12 miles/20 kilometers, you’ll arrive at a huge expanse of vineyards and lush gardens: Château Roslane is an unadulterated celebration of the nature that flourishes around it. As the first wine estate in North Africa to be rewarded for the quality of its production, and now bearing an Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP) designation, you can enjoy the unforgettable experience of tasting local vintages against a backdrop of the Middle Atlas Mountains. With breathtaking vistas in every room, this bountiful landscape is a daily source of inspiration, whether you are lunching in the vineyards or exploring the cellars. When evening falls, coloris all around: crimson red dominates in the glass, while the ground and sky are aflame with ocher.
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Château Roslane, El Hajeb (Region of Meknès), Morocco
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Château Roslane, El Hajeb (Region of Meknès), Morocco
A Foray into Fassi Cuisine
Like a modest guardian of local traditions, the 1,000-year-old city of Fez offers an opportunity to take a break and enjoy the fine art of Moroccan living. Riad Fès also excels in the art of hospitality. This 14th-century palace has been lovingly restored, with each of its patios more beautiful than the next. This is the epitome of what a riad should be. Its soul plays out at its dining tables too, as the hotel’s restaurant Gayza celebrates the authentic flavors of Fassi cuisine. Whether in the form of the famous pigeon pastilla or barley couscous with lamb, the principle of generosity and the sharing of traditions are just as important as the taste of the delicious food. This distinct savoir-faire and other culinary secrets are revealed during cookery classes.
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Riad Fès, Fès, Morocco
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Riad Fès, Fès, Morocco
Art Deco Refinement
Amid the Art Deco district of the ‘White City’, the aura of Hôtel Le Doge owes as much to its silhouette as it does to its legend. The story goes that an Italian entrepreneur fell in love with a woman he met in Morocco, and created this architectural gem for her as a wedding gift. Today, the mansion has a minimalist design, but its interior is hardly understated. Original geometric stained-glass windows, antique furniture from the 1930s and pieces evoking Moroccan decorative arts make it a feast for the eyes, especially in the restaurant. The privacy of the 16 guest rooms also creates the impression of being inside a work of art. From Ernest Hemingway to Coco Chanel, each room is inspired by an artist who symbolizes those wildly creative years.
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Hôtel Le Doge, Casablanca, Morocco
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Hôtel Le Doge, Casablanca, Morocco
A Peaceful Eden among the Palms
The city of Marrakesh seems to glow with the energy of the sun. The ‘Pearl of the South’ is popular with travelers eager to discover its beauty. They come to see its Palmeraie (palm groves), and Palais Ronsard stands in the center of it all. An oasis within an oasis. An intermission between the dunes and the Atlas Mountains. From the immense park dotted with century-old rose bushes and olive trees, to the vegetable garden which feeds the chef’s imagination, here nature is king. The building is haloed with lush green, and its Art Deco chic evokes as much the beauty of North Africa as Tuscany. The highlight of this enchanting place? The colonnaded galleries whose interiors were designed by Gil Dez. They open onto the crystal-clear waters of two stunning pools, whose slow energy is an invitation to unwind.
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Palais Ronsard, Marrakech, Morocco
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Palais Ronsard, Marrakech, Morocco
Refresh and Revive
At the foot of the Koutoubia mosque and close to Jemaa el-Fnaa square, Villa des Orangers is just a short walk from the bustle of the medina, yet is a haven of calm. Its peaceful atmosphere reflects a harmony of authentic Moroccan architecture and local crafts. Mosaics, carved wood and delicate fabrics come together to create a subtle decor. The villa offers multiple opportunities to sink into relaxation: sometimes that might mean an early-morning swim in the rooftop pool, at others an indulgent massage at the Ec(h)o spa, where body and mind can become one in a lingering moment of calm. Scents of rose and orange blossom emanate from treatments delivered at the expert hands of kessala, who practice the art of the hammam.
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La Villa des Orangers, Marrakech, Morocco
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La Villa des Orangers, Marrakech, Morocco
September 03, 2025
Marie Mersier
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