Amanjena

Approaching Amanjena via the smartly kept driveway you might be forgiven for thinking that you’re arriving at just another five star hotel, but take a step inside and you’ll realise quite how wrong that assumption was! Once inside the huge carved wooden doorway you enter an oasis looking straight out over a serene lake, with beautiful furnishings (a deep sofa here, a low leather pouffe there) and a calm almost zen-like feel descends — the penny drops that you’re in for something very special indeed. This thirty seven room resort has been modelled on the red rose city of Marrakech which it lies just outside, and the attention to detail in this project is astounding. Everywhere the ochre walls and green tiled roofs are echoed both inside and out, and the arched structures appear both in the rooms, corridors and garden pavilions. You don’t simply book a room here either; accommodation is in either a pavilion or villa — all come with a large private garden and many feature a good-sized pool too. Pavilions are simply palatial inside. Your bedroom is situated below a hexadecagon (that's a 16 sided shape to you and me!) dome which is almost cathedral-like and not only does it boast one of the largest beds you’ll find anywhere, but also gorgeous accessories including lacquered wooden sliding doors instead of curtains, leather tables and a fireside chaise longue for chillier days. Behind the bedroom are two separate dressing areas (his'n'hers taken to a whole new level), plus double sinks, massive walk in shower and large bath set in an alcove from which you can admire the fruit trees. The bathroom also uses the green and ochre palette to good effect with stunning green marble surrounds, plus more of those lacquered wood and leather accessories (not forgetting Amanjena’s own brand spoiling toiletries). If you can drag yourself away from your luxurious haven there’s a huge communal pool surrounded by loungers and watched over by an army of attentive staff who’ll look after your every whim. If it’s a little holistic relaxation you fancy, then what about a trip to the spa? There are four treatment rooms plus a hammam and the massages are to-die-for. For the more actively inclined there are two clay tennis courts (and equipment to borrow) with onsite pro for coaching sessions, and a personal trainer to get you going before brekkie! If golf’s more your thing Amanjena is set right beside the Amelkis course which is one of the best in Morocco (in fact you can enjoy breakfast or lunch right by the fairway). Dining is also a treat whether you opt for traditional Moroccan or Italian fare around the fire pit or Nama, which celebrates Japan’s Unesco-protected washoku cuisine. Finally its worth pointing out that no five star property is worth its salt unless the staff are up to scratch, and here they go about things like an army of ants! You don’t just get housekeeping in the morning and then again at turndown…here as soon as you pop out, they’ll be in to make sure that when you return everything is just so — that’s what I call attention to detail! Yes Amanjena is expensive, but is it worth it? Absolutely! In sheer terms of stunning setting, property and service it’s worth every penny and I’d start saving now.

 

Written by Sarah Empson

• Swimming Pool
• There's a large outdoor pool and many of the accommodations have a private pool
• Restaurant
• There are two restaurants to choose from: Japanese or Moroccan/Italian
• Rooms with balcony/terrace
• All rooms come with private garden and terrace
• Outdoor dining
• By the lake, or fairway or pool
• Private villas
• 3 pavillions and 3 maisons
• Fireplace
• Bicycles available
• Bar
• Family Suites
• In room DVD
• Massage
• Internet
• Sauna/Steam
• Wifi

• Library
• Sit-out Terrace
• Good wine list
• Room service
• Spa
• Garden
• Gym
• Child friendly
• Parking
• 24 Hour room service
• Suites
• Air conditioning
• Free wifi
• Safe

• Hotel Entertainment
• Book the Amanjena Tent Experience and feast on Moroccan cuisine whilst being entertained by dancers.
• Sights nearby
• Situated near Marrakech the red-walled former fortress crisscrossed by narrow lanes.
• Tennis
• There are two on site clay tennis courts and a pro if you want to improve your game

• Great walks
• Stroll aorund the lovely lush gardens, a haven for birds and butterflies.
• Golf
• Next door to the Amelkis Championship Golf Course.
• Tennis coaching
• There's a pro for coaching sessions

• Why do people love staying in your hotel?

Our guests return to Amanjena again and again for the tranquillity it offers. With an abundance of space, and just 40 standalone guest Pavilions and Maisons, the resort is a verdant oasis of palm and olive trees. The resort’s rose-hued architecture, which is inspired by ancient Moorish heritage with pisé-de-terre walls, vaulted ceilings and decorative arches that echo the style of a sultan’s palace, is also a focus point for our guests. Amanjena, a resort with a soul, sits around an emerald reflective bassin that immediately conjures up sentiments of zen-like calm — the resort provides the space, peace and discretion of a private haven.

• What is there to do in the area or on site?

There is a great diversity of nature available to our guests. Mountains, desert, and coast are all within reach, with Amanjena offering exclusive experiences such as a guided hike through the Atlas Mountains. As for the fabled red city itself, Marrakech offers an UNESCO protected medina, which Amanjena guests can tour via motorbike sidecar, souks, cultural monuments, beautiful and expansive gardens and a variety of museums.

Amanjena also has so much to offer for guests of all ages. Children and families can take part in calligraphy workshops, or book tennis or golf lessons to hone their skills, while couples staying at the resort can relax with a massage at the Aman Spa or partake in a yoga or Pilates class in the state-of-the-art gym.

• What kind of breakfast do you offer?

Guests of Amanjena can enjoy an a la carte breakfast while staying with us, which offers a mixture between local and international cuisine that can be enjoyed in the privacy of one’s Pavilion or Maison. My top recommendation would be for all guests to try the local style pancakes while sitting on the Pool Terrace for an exceptional start to the day.

• Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally?

Amanjena offers an abundance of dining options, with our venues utilising locally sourced ingredients and exploring cuisines from across the globe, including traditional Moroccan fare, as well as Italian, Mediterranean and Japanese. Nature and local wildlife provide the soundtrack to dining in The Moroccan Restaurant’s serene courtyard on Mondays and Tuesdays, while Nama, overlooking Amanjena’s tranquil swimming pool, celebrates Japan’s Unesco-protected washoku cuisine with artfully plated sushi and sashimi on its menu. A meal from any of the resort’s dining venues can be served in the comfort of one’s own room, or, for those desiring a unique gastronomic experience, guests can also enjoy a private meal within Amanjena’s ancient olive grove.

While we do have recommendations for small eateries and local roof top bars in Marrakech, we would always suggest a private Moroccan night in our Caidal Tent, where guests can dine in an atmospheric setting under both the stars and the shine of 1001 lights.

• Which are your most popular room types, and why?

Our most popular room type is most certainly our Pool Pavilion, which, at 220 square metres (2,638 square feet), offers a large, heated swimming pool within a private garden, and features Berber carpets, Zellij tiled floors and soaring mirrors to create a classic Moroccan feel. The Pool Pavilion is ideal for families or groups of friends as adjacent Pool Pavilions can be connected via courtyard doors to create a more social outdoor layout, or can be kept as a private sanctuary for couples.

• What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms?

For children at Amanjena we offer tailored tennis and football classes, as well as a cookie making and pottery, calligraphy and storytelling for the younger children. In addition to the resort’s main pool, Amanjena has a dedicated heated swimming pool for smaller children and toddlers, allowing youngsters to swim, splash and play in safety.

All of Amanjena’s pavilions and maisons are able to accommodate an extra bed for children, or alternatively for those with sofas, they can be turned into day beds.

• What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers?

Marrakech is such a diverse and unique destination, that has something to offer for everyone, whether they seek a cultural, spiritual or even nightlife experience; the red city has it all. As for Amanjena, Aman is the Sanskrit for Peace and Jena is the Arabic word for Paradise giving us the very fitting name of our Peaceful Paradise. Come and enjoy the zen on property in this vibrant, soulful city. As-salaam alaykum or may Peace be upon you.