Amanjena — Marrakech, Morocco

Style: Classic Luxury. Built: 2000.
Reserve Online

Amanjena ("peaceful paradise") is the first Amanresort on the African continent. The resort's 32 pavilions, six, two-storey maisons and largest accommodation, the Al-Hamra Maison, are set within an oasis of palms and mature olive trees. Amanjena's rose-blush walls mirror Marrakech, known in Arabic as Al Medina al-Hamra (the red city). The resort's design emulates the old Moorish pise (packed earth) buildings, as well as the Berber villages that cling to the High Atlas Mountains. Marrakech was brought to radiant life by the brilliance of 11th-century Almoravid irrigation. Water is no less the unifying element of Amanjena, which has as its centrepiece, a large bassin, traditionally a holding pool to collect water for irrigation. Amanjena's pavilions and maisons extend from the bassin, fanning out in two directions, separated by reflecting pools in a landscape of lawns and vines, emerald-clay roofs, marble fountains and glittering hand-cut, glazed tiles (zellij). All of the resort's 32 air-conditioned pavilions include a bedroom-living room and spacious bathroom and dressing area. The living area consists of a high, domed ceiling, a king-size platform bed and an open fireplace. Brass lanterns and Berber carpets discreetly reinforce the Moroccan theme. Furnishings include a daybed with an accompanying table and chair. The suites have a mini-bar, a CD player and a TV/DVD, while green Moroccan marble and a soaking tub in a garden setting highlight the bathroom. Each pavilion has its own private courtyard along with a pillared minzah (gazebo) and a fountain. Amanjena's six two-storey maisons rise seven metres from floor to ceiling in a variation of the Moroccan townhouse, with trines of second-floor windows looking inward, as if to a garden courtyard. The living area, located on the main floor, features an arc-cut fireplace, a zellij wall fountain and a small bathroom. The guest bedroom, with its queen-size bed, full bathroom, double change areas and separate courtyard entrance, is also located on the entry level. Upstairs, the bathroom is defined by marble columns, domed shower, toilet rooms and a pillared, green-marble tub. The bedroom comes with a king-size bed and divan. The maisons also offer a private six-metre swimming pool, a garden and minzah. With a convenient location at the edge of Marrakech, Amanjena provides the ideal base for further exploration of Marrakech and beyond. The city itself, with its gardens, souks, art and culture, is just seven kilometres away and the resort looks out onto the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains, the highest range in North Africa. Carefully constructed private tours and treks, taking in local highlights, are easily arranged.

Highlights

Recommended Rooms
The largest accommodation is the Al-Hamra Maison which has an extensive 180 sq meter pavilion, indoor dining and sitting area and its own private butler service. Two bedrooms are linked by an open passageway to the shared garden where there are two minzahs for dining and lounging and a private 40 sq meter heated pool.

Fine Dining on Site
Specialising in local Moroccan cuisine, the Restaurant features a scalloped onyx fountain ringed by date palms, 80 onyx columns, wood screens and a pyramid skylight. It is open for dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the Thai Restaurant, which offers Thai and International cuisine indoors and in a garden courtyard. Breakfast, lunch and refreshments are served at the Pool Terrace and during the summer season, dinner too. The Bar (and fumoir) features smoke-tinted mirrors, old Berber daggers and Arab swords.

Pool, Outdoor
Amanjena's heated outdoor 33m swimming pool is finished in green tiles and bordered by hibiscus flowers. There is a separate shallow pool.

Spa Facility
The hammam or steam bath is central to Moroccan life. Unsurprisingly, it has pride of place at the heart of the Amanjena Health and Beauty Centre. Each hammam (one each for men and women) is complemented by showers, washrooms, a change area and glassed-in whirlpool. Treatments at the beauty centre include massages, manicures, pedicures and facials. The Centre also features a timber-floor gym.

Tennis Courts on Site
Two tennis courts, lit for night play, are available with minzahs at either end for drinks and breaks.

Biking, Mountain
Mountain bikes may be rented for riding the paved pathways leading from Amanjena to the golf course and the garden villas. Guests may also explore the Marrakech palm oasis on trails passing clumps of wild grape, hibiscus, and olive groves. The more adventurous may opt for heli-biking. A helicopter transports riders to the Atlas Mountain slopes of Oukeimden from where they make their way down a 24km bush run to Sidi Fares.

Golfing
There are two golf courses in the immediate vicinity of Amanjena, with the Amelkis Golf Course next door and the Royal Golf de Marrakech only a few minutes away.

Shopping
There are three boutiques within the cedar-ceiling colonnade that follows the swimming pool. The shops have some exclusive objects including a good selection of Moroccan art and handicrafts, jewellery, brass lanterns, pottery and antiques. All the linens, which include shawls, tablecloths, caftans and djellabas, are hand-woven. Also, there is a profusion of shopping options within Marrakech. A number of specialist antique shops have recently opened and the souks have much diversity. Rural markets, with their vegetables, sheep heads, mules, saddles and portable steam baths, are a delightful distillation of everyday Moroccan life. Amanjena offers two shopping tours taking in the Medina.

Skiing - Snow
Less than two hours south of Marrakech is the mountain village of Oukaimeden, which has the best skiing in Morocco. January and February are the best months for skiing at this 3,273m site while later in the spring it is ideal for hiking amidst the wildflowers.

Nota Bene
The Library- a two-storey room, with six-meter ceiling and fireplace, lit by ceiling lanterns and natural light filtering in through the windows- has books, magazines, newspapers, CDs and DVDs. Also, a variety of drawing materials are placed here for use by guests. Water colours, inks, acrylics, oils and canvases are also available.

Hotel Amenities
- Fine Dining on Site
- Tennis Courts on Site
- Spa Facility
- Pool, Outdoor

Available Activities
- Skiing - Snow
- Golfing
- Hiking
- Biking, Mountain
- Shopping
- Beach

Hotel Address
Amanjena
Route De Ouarzazate, Km 12
Marrakech,
Morocco

Child policies vary by hotel. Many hotels are able to provide a rollaway bed or crib, though there may be an extra fee. Such fees will not be included in the quoted rate.If you are ready to book, our advice is to first make your reservation. Our agents will then be able to more effectively assist you with details regarding your children.If you require further information before making a reservation, please contact us with the hotel name, your dates, and the number and age of the children. Thank you.

Amanjena - Highly Recommended
Amanjena is featured on the following Five Star Alliance recommendation lists:- The Best Luxury Villa Resorts