Royal Mansour - Marrakesh, Morocco
This film set of a hotel is a perfect rendition of a mini medina- the love child of the Moroccan king himself, showcasing exquisite local workmanship. Every surface in the 53 private riads (with bedrooms, bathrooms, sitting rooms and rooftop plunge pools) is adorned, carved and painted to within an inch of its life. It is overwhelmingly beautiful (like La Mamounia’s revamp, but on speed). There are the lantern-lit, bougainvillea lined walkways, three absurdly delicious restaurants (with Limoges china so pretty you want to put in your handbag), the library with its retracting roof and stargazing telescope, the pink-gold leaf-lined bar and the canaries and lovebirds tweeting in the courtyard. And then there is the socking-great spa - a vast, light-flooded, glazed pavilion. There are huge treatment rooms, three with their own terrace and indoor-outdoor pools. The hammams, with their hot, mild and cold white-marble chambers, are probably the poshest, most polished you’ll ever experience. A scrub with local all-natural marocMaroc products leaves skin rude with health. Sisley and Dr Hauschka also line the shelves and the world’s first dedicated Chanel spa treatment room is insanely chic.
Book It
Africa Travel (0207 843 3585) offer four nights £2,435 per person, including flights, transfers and breakfast