Amanjena

Aman resorts meets Africa in the form of Marrakech’s Amanjena. It’s another departure from tropical island-chic for the chain that started nearly two decades ago in Phuket with Amanpuri. Designed by the American architect Ed Tuttle to conform harmoniously to its surroundings, Amanjena bears a distinct Moorish influence, miles from the Balinese style of its Far East sisters.

Aman addicts rest easy, though: all the elements are in place to make Amanjena a regular stop on the never-ending world tour of those jet-setters who are so loyal to this particular brand of luxury that they’ll hardly think of staying anywhere else.

An understated contemporary luxury carries the day, both in the design and in the amenities. Tuttle’s Arabian fantasy is a pared-down one, true to the conventions of Islamic architecture yet avoiding the genre’s dense optical patterns in favor of a more uniform look. And the pavilions with their domed ceilings and king-sized platform beds stop well short of obscene decadence — theirs is a carefully considered luxury, with everything in its place and little in the way of ornamentation. Bathrooms are particularly remarkable, in green Moroccan marble with deep soaking tubs.

Each pavilion has a private courtyard complete with gazebo and fountain, but for more privacy (and a private pool) you may wish to try one of the Maisons, two-story townhouses which include fireplaces, guest bedrooms and butler service.

Naturally Amanjena counts among its facilities a Health and Beauty Centre, including hammams, spa and gym, as well as a 33-meter swimming pool. Meanwhile, one Japanese and one Moroccan restaurant serve to undo all the hard work guests put in at the fitness center. All told, it’s an inspiring combination of sublime architecture and supreme physical comfort, not just a worthy addition to the Aman group but one of Morocco’s most impressive hotels.

How to get there: Amanjena is approximately a 20-minute drive from Marrakech-Menara Airport and 2½ hours from Casablanca-Mohammed V International Airport. Amanjena offers complimentary airport transfers from both locations.