The lowdown:
This resort hotel is set within 40 walled acres and built to evoke the city's ancient medina a dusty 10-minute walk, or even shorter Range Rover Sport or Bentley transfer away. The hotel's fleet of vehicles also includes a Cadillac kitted out with media centre. But the medina and its maze of souks and alleyways is a world away from a hotel designed to look sleek and instil calm.
The Atlas Mountains can be glimpsed over blocky, pinky-grey two-storey buildings, rows of stately palms line paths and two vast swimming pools. One is just for adults, and both are tiled in green grey Indian slate. Lounge in a poolside private tent enjoying half-hourly pick-me-ups: frozen watermelon, frosty Granita or a professional sunglasses spritz. 114 large rooms and 27 suites each have a terrace or balcony and international greige decor. A sense of place is there in the intricate details — fretwork panels in the bathroom, artisan-made mirrors, hand-woven rugs.
The Neroli Spa Pavilion offers treatments using local ingredients — Thousand and One Nights includes hammam bath followed by a saffron, garnet and rose scrub. Families will love the impressive Kids for All Seasons and Young Adults clubs.
The good:
The calmness of the hotel in a bustling city
The two pools — perfect for escaping Marrakech's heat
The indulgent spa
The not so good:
The 'greige' decor
The verdict:
A good choice in Marrakech, close to the action, but an oasis of calm.
Book it:
British Airways offers three nights from £729 per person B&B. ba.com
Four Seasons Marrakech, 1 Boulevard de la Menara
, Marrakech, 40000, Morocco (+212 524 359 200; fourseasons.com/marrakech)
