Palmeraie Palace

Built in 1994, the wear and tear is beginning to show around this luxury resort that was last renovated in 2006, but strolling the beautiful grounds amid bubbling fountains and colorfully tiled courtyards is still a pleasant experience. The lobby is particularly impressive, with marble floors and ornately tiled columns rising to a palatial dome with an intricately carved wooden ceiling. Lounging areas are prevalent and set with sleek dark blue and gray armchairs and low sofas topped with colorful pillows. A grand piano adds a touch of elegance to the space.

The Palmeraie Golf Palace & Resort is about a 20-minute drive from the city center in a quiet area surrounded by other hotels, with nothing within walking distance outside the resort itself. Parking is free, as is the shuttle to the center of Marrakesh. Marrakesh is packed with cafes, hidden gardens, palaces, mosques, and shops. Its historic 11th-century medina, with maze-like streets and souks with vendors selling traditional crafts, is a UNESCO world heritage sight and a major tourist attraction. Marrakech Menara International Airport The hotel is  25- to 30-minutes from the hotel. 

325 rooms and suites combine contemporary furnishings with Moroccan design elements.There's no shortage of fine materials: marble floors, natural wood, and leather furniture. Most rooms have a beautifully tiled entry, with a living area separated from the bedroom by a carved wooden banister. Comfortable couches and chairs are arranged around a coffee table set with fruit, nuts, and other regional treats. There is a minibar too, but oddly no coffeemaker. Glass-topped wooden tables can be used as work desks, and there are ample dressers and cabinets. Bathrooms are covered in marble with huge vanities and shower/tub combos with rainfall showerheads. Most rooms have small balconies or patios with views of the pool or golf course. Housekeeping frequently leaves rose petals around the rooms, but sometimes misses tidying up all the tiled nooks and crannies. 

Outdoor activities abound for the whole family here, starting with the 27-hole Palm Golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones. It has a an attached club and shop for guests' equipment needs (and related fashion requirements). There are two tennis courts as well as a multi-purpose field for playing volleyball, basketball, or football. Runners can take advantage of the walking paths that wind around the property. There's a paintball court with a wild west theme, suitable for ages eight and up. Younger children have a kids' club with an indoor play area complete with individual napping cribs. An outdoor area has a playground and a big children's pool with interactive water features. For adults, the large outdoor pool area is part garden and lined with covered lounges. There's also a large indoor pool -- part of the spa and salon with luxurious treatment rooms that have a huge range of services. The fitness center is a vast room with hardwood floors and walls of mirrors opposite walls of windows. On one side, dozens of treadmills and stationary bikes sit in rows with weight-training machines, and another part of the center has open floor space for yoga and aerobics. The resort has more than 60,000 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor event space. Wi-Fi is free throughout. There are several small meeting and event rooms with a large main convention hall that can accommodate 1,500 people. Outdoor garden spaces and several of the restaurants can be used for events. There's several themed restaurants on the grounds, though some are far from the main building. Leroy’s Kfé serves Mediterranean cuisine and pizza, with outdoor terrace seating. Le Grand Bleu is attached to the outdoor pool with standard international fare and breakfast. There's a poolside grill and juice bar. Le Bar serves cocktails and tapas either inside a dark wood-paneled bar, or outside on a garden terrace. Two theme clubs include a Brazilian lounge with live stage shows, and a Russian night club with regular DJs.