Marrakesh: La Maison Arabe (4 Star Guesthouse)

Address: 1 derb assehbi bab doukkala , Marrakech 40000, Morocco
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Lonely Planet review

This place made Marrakesh history, first as a legendary restaurant, then as the first boutique hotel to open in the medina. The sumptuous accommodation is matched with some of the best service in town. Among the handsome leather, brass and hand-carved dark wood furnishings, you might spot prized African antiques from the collection of Italian owner Frederic Ruspoli.

With 65 members of staff catering to 17 rooms, it's hardly surprising that the level of service is top class. Look slightly thirsty and a waiter is immediately on hand to offer you a drink. Arrive at the pool unprepared, never mind, here is a towel for madam. It's all so effortless without being intrusive; no wonder paparazzi-plagued celebs flock here. Unsurprisingly, the rooms are supremely comfortable, and custom furnishings and objets d'art adorn the whole house. Given its size, the Maison offers an impressive array of facilities: its own Moroccan cookery school and a tasty Moroccan restaurant featuring top-notch Andalusian musicians, a beautiful domed marble hammam with adjoining spa, a jazz lounge where the barman mixes them strong, and a sprawling 18m pool in the Palmeraie (palm grove) where guests can relax - provided you can put the local water crisis out of mind.