Amanjena Resort

We recommend Amanjena to travellers seeking absolute seclusion without leaving Marrakech, honeymoon couples or multi-day wellness retreats. The private pavilion format with pool suits affluent families (family rooms available) and regular Aman clients who recognise the brand's architectural vocabulary. The clientele is international, discreet, often loyal to the group, little interested in the urban buzz of the medina.

Amanjena opened in 2000 to designs by architect Ed Tuttle, Aman's historic signature. The ensemble reprises the vocabulary of a Moroccan ksar: ochre pink pisé, emerald green glazed domes, carved cedar moucharabiehs. The pavilions organise around a rectangular central pool bordered by colonnades, each unit has hand-painted ceilings, polished tadelakt floors, zellige fireplaces. The scale remains horizontal, no building exceeds two levels, the whole breathes through intermediate gardens planted with palms and citrus trees.

The main Thai restaurant occupies a pavilion facing the central pool, Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine served on the terrace or under air-conditioned vaults. The Japanese bar offers sushis and teppanyaki grills in the evening, saké and Japanese whisky list. Continental breakfast served in room or at the restaurant until 11am, mint tea and Moroccan pastries in the afternoon at the lounge. Room service 24/7, simplified menu after midnight.

Amanjena stands 12 kilometres south of Jemaa el-Fna square, on the road to Ouarzazate that heads towards the Atlas. The estate is enclaved in the palm grove, no shops within walking distance, free shuttle to the medina three times a day. Marrakech-Menara Airport 20 minutes by car, Royal golf 8 minutes. The area is residential and agricultural, silent after sunset, muezzins from neighbouring villages heard at dawn.