Villa des Orangers

A small luxurious Marrakech hotel that really pampers you in an unobtrusive and distinctly Moroccan way

As with most Marrakech hotels, the entrance to the 5-star Villa des Orangers is unassuming, to say the least. Who would guess that this inconspicuous corridor off a road swarming with carts, bicycles and repair stalls would lead to a haven of peace and luxurious style. But it does, and that is what makes Marrakech special.

The 'city of two souls' combines earthy simplicity with a generous dose of sensual delights, and the Villa has more than its fair share of the latter. Two inner courts whose plumped up sofas and softly gurgling water fountains call, siren-like, for a post-shopping collapse. Lattices of such delicately wrought plasterwork that in a low blood sugar moment one fancies they are made of icing. A sensuous wooden egg which makes other key fobs seem vulgar. Algae soap to make your skin tingle, and fluffy bathrobes to soothe it afterwards. Soft leather slippers which actually fit. It seems they've thought of everything.

Highs

• The size, furnishings and tranquillity of the bedrooms
• The small but sociable roof terrace and plunge pool - with an additional large heated courtyard pool
• Prices include light lunches, laundry and airport transfers in a smart Mercedes
• Excellent service and facilities

Lows

• The location is not ideal - a slightly seamy neighbourhood on the edge of the Medina (but that's Marrakech for you and it also makes it one of the easiest riads to access by car)
• Risk of mosque noise
• It's not cheap