SLEEP: LES DEUX TOURS, MARRAKECH

A striking oasis nestled within the Moroccan desert, Les Deux Tours has been the perfect luxury base for those visiting the exotic city of Marrakech since 1991. This sumptuous retreat is close enough to the city whilst maintaining a peaceful distance from the hustle and bustle, allowing guests the chance to fully unwind and relax after a busy day of exploring. Designed by architect Charles Boccara, the clay walls of the hotel unfold into fragranced gardens and glimmering lily ponds. As the red sun dips below the golden horizon, the crickets start chirping and the soft smell of charred smoke from nearby grills fill. the air. The glow of the Moroccan lanterns lights up the mosaic paths which wind around the hotel and garden, a warm trail through the leafy foliage to your lavish suite.

WHAT I LOVE

The magnificent jasmine pool with its twisting pergola terraces and plush day beds is the perfect place to stretch out and enjoy the golden beams of the Moroccan sunshine.
The hotel is only a fifteen-minute drive from the bustling city of Marrakech and offer a complimentary shuttle into town and back three times a day. The peaceful hotel is a welcome relief after the madness and mayhem of Marrakech!
Value for money is incredible. Not only are the suites luxurious, they are large- never have I encountered a grander and more splendid bathroom and bathtub. Absolutely dreamy.
The romance of the grounds; this hotel is everything I dreamed my Moroccan getaway to Marrakech would be and more. It is the kind of old-school indulgent resort that you could envision a Woody Allen film unfolding in. You can easily plan a getaway here to relax and unwind without ever having the need to leave the sumptuous resort.

WHERE TO STAY

This elegant residence spreads its suites out in the form of a small village, featuring thirty-seven rooms and suites in total. There are the elegant classic rooms, the junior suites with gorgeous little terraces and the premium suites which feature a living area in addition to the bedroom. The spotlight is on the eight grand private residences which are moulded after Moroccan riads. They come with their own private pools, with the special suite no.39 having an additional private hot tub. The rooms are furnished in a Moroccan countryside style with terracotta clay walls, hammam bathrooms and mosaic tiled terraces. My favourite room is the premium suites, our room was splendid with two scenic terraces and an extravagant bathroom (I could live in that bathtub, it easily could fit up to three people!). If you want to splurge, I would say go for a private residence and try to grab suite no. 39.

WHAT TO EAT

Al fresco dinner here is a delight not to be missed, make a reservation on the terrace of their signature restaurant Salammbô for an exceptional experience. Sip on a chilled glass of Moroccan or French wine whilst listening to the undulating beats and drums of the music performer, indulge on rich tagines and fluffy cous cous amidst the warm glow of candlelit lanterns. During the day, grab a bite at La Pergola by the pool and taste their summer barbeque and fresh salads. You can also order food directly from the comfort of your plush sun lounger. The Breakfast buffet is at £10 per person each morning and is a delicious feast of fresh fruits, pastries and Moroccan bites.

WHAT TO WEAR

At the hotel, luxury resort wear during the day, flowing dresses and linen suit combos at night. However when venturing into Marrakech or anywhere outside the resort are, I would strongly recommend figure covering maxi dresses and loose long sleeve shirts. Marrakech is still very much a Muslim oriented city and visitors will benefit from respecting cultural traditions in their dress.

WHEN TO GO

My favourite times to visit Marrakech is during March – April and September – November. The weather is slightly cooler than the scorching heat of high summer and the hotel rates are lower. No heatstroke and a bigger budget for a luxurious upgrade? Win win!

UNIQUE FACILITIES

Luxurious outdoor swimming pool fully heated with lounge service. Chilled wine by the poolside? Yes please!
Fresh hotel owned garden where the ingredients are hand grown and deliciously whipped up into scrumptious dishes by the Michelin-starred chef.
There is a library and game room, and for those who would like a bit more adventure the resort concierge can arrange activities in the surrounding area of the Palmeraie including horse riding, quads, cycling, golf and tennis.
The Les Bain des Deux Tours is the hotel spa and feature an idyllic Hammam thermal spa and hot bath. Spa treatments and massages centre on using the infamous Argan oil and nourishing aromatherapy products derived from the nearby Atlas Mountains.

STEPH YT TRAVEL TIPS

Take the first or second shuttle out in the morning for a full day of exploring Marrakech, grab a bite to eat at a local joint before making your way back to the resort and straight into the grand bathtub at your suite to rinse off the sand and dust from the city. Finish your day with a chilled bottle of rose delivered to the comfort of your room, savour it in your fluffy white robe as you watch the sun slowly dip below the horizon on your terrace.
Book an extra night and spend the last day lounging lazily poolside, popping into the Hammam spa and exploring the grounds of the resort. A worthy way to recuperate and refresh on your last day.
When in town, be sure to visit Yves Saint Laurent’s Jardin Majorelle (my favourite place in Morocco) and be awed by the splendid Majorelle blue walls and diverse botanical collection. There is a gorgeous little café in this site, be sure to take a sip sip of fresh Moroccan mint tea before you head off.
As the hotel’s winning feature is its fruitful botanical garden, do not forget to bring bug spray. If you are an insect magnet like me, a few (or a lot) of mozzie bites may occur.
Bring flat shoes for when you explore Marakkech, as the walk from the shuttle site to the main medina is easily a twenty minute walk each way -a half hour walk for slow people like me.
When reserving, try reaching out to your reservation manager and negotiating an included breakfast or a suite upgrade. They are wonderfully friendly here so you might be pleasantly surprised when asking.
A bit of French may be useful as the staff here aren’t as well versed in English as you might expect. Remember the s’il vous plaits and je Voudrais’ and you should do just fine!

Rooms start at £93 during low seasons and go up to £245 in high season. Take a look here to book – http://www.les-deux-tours.com