George Clooney to honeymoon in Marrakech: Lawrence of Morocco's top five places

Sept. 29, 2014 - PRLog -- Max Lawrence, MD of Lawrence of Morocco – the UK’s leading specialist operator to the country – lived in Marrakech for 12 years. Here are his top five places to stay, in and around the city:

Riad Dar One

With its sensual colours, original woodwork, thick velvet curtains and low lighting, this luxurious, Zen-like riad definitively ticks the style box. Nor do a courtyard plunge pool and beautiful roof terrace hurt.  Located in the medina’s old Jewish quarter, within strolling distance of the UNESCO-protected Jemaa-el-Fna square (Marrakech’s beating heart), this six-room boutique hotel will please anyone seeking chic, centrally-located serenity. Guests can accompany chef Amina to the local food and spice markets, before learning to make classic Moroccan dishes.

A four-night stay costs from £500 pp (two sharing) including flights from London, breakfast and transfers.

Riad Kaiss

Renovated by revered French hotel designer Christian Ferre, Riad Kaiss was once the harem for Sultan Moulay Yacoub’s favourite concubine.  Now much less illicit, this nine-room riad is traditionally decorated with earthy-pink walls, green and blue zellige tiles, and colourful paintwork, all explaining why it has featured in a variety of well-known design magazines and bibles.  Its majestic sun terraces, spa, pool and courtyard gardens are only minutes from the main square.

A four-night stay costs from £741 pp (two sharing) including flights from London, breakfast and transfers.

Es Saadi Palace

A five-star-deluxe sister property to the original Es Saadi hotel next door, the family-run Palace is located in the residential L’Hivernage neighbourhood and just ten minutes’ walk from Marrakech’s wondrous souks and Jemaa-el-Fna square. Hidden inside 20 acres of bougainvillea, orange and lemon-tree parkland, it’s a paradise of pools, plush suites, fine dining and some of Morocco’s best service.

A four-night stay costs from £999 pp (two sharing) including flights from London, breakfast and transfers.

Les Deux Tours

Despite boasting a fairytale setting and sharing its name with a Lord of The Rings sequel, Les Deux Tours is wholly, happily real. Located 15 minutes from central Marrakech inside the Palmeraie (a vast palm grove dotted with sheep clusters), the hotel is a series of villas scattered across a walled garden thick with heavy scents. Thanks to architect Charles Boccara, the exotic style is 1920s-meets-Arabo-Andalucian: but there’s also a strong eco vibe via locally-sourced materials and home-grown vegetables.

A four-night stay costs from £656 pp (two sharing) including flights from London, breakfast and transfers.

Palais Namaskar

A decadent hotel in the Palmeraie’s beautiful Bab Atlas area, 20 minutes’ drive from central Marrakech. Seclusion, perfect panoramas and palatial grandeur are the order of the day here: musky gardens and a lake vie for attention with deep carpets, damask fabrics and Murano chandeliers. The large main pool is flanked by daybeds and oversized cushions; nearby is a vast Feng Shui-focused spa. Dusk is especially lovely: log fires crackle and lanterns flicker.

A four-night stay costs from £1,289 pp (two sharing) including flights from London, breakfast and transfers.

For further information, call Lawrence of Morocco on 01672 500 555 or visit http://www.lawrenceofmorocco.com.

Ends 29 September 2014

Press: For more information please contact Mischa Mack at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email m.mack@travelpr.co.uk