6 rue Sidi Mimoun, Marrakech, Morocco | (618) 248-8274
Luxurious rooms and suites with private terraces and
Moroccan style
Free breakfast and light lunch included in the room rate
Two heated pools, one on the rooftop terrace
On-site spa with a traditional Moroccan hammam
Fine-dining restaurant serving Mediterranean, French, and Moroccan
cuisine
24-hour non-alcoholic open bar
Free private transfer to the Marrakesh Airport
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the property
Free daily newspaper
Free overnight shoeshine service
No elevators to access the second floor
Some rooms have steep stairs
Not all rooms have terraces
No children under age 12 allowed (pro for some)
Set within the walls of the Medina, steps to the lively Jemaa
El Fna Square, the Relais & Chateaux affiliated Villa des Orangers is an intimate 27-room luxury boutique hotel with authentic Moroccan style. The riad's
spacious rooms showcase the region's decor, incorporating saturated
colors and textiles and antique wood furnishings. Private terraces offer
glimpses of the Atlas Mountains, the Koutoubia Mosque, and the hotel's interior
courtyards shaded by orange trees. Two pools, including one on the rooftop,
attentive service, and a small spa add to the hotel's allure, but its lack of
elevators and abundance of steep stairs might not appeal to everyone. Still, it's one of the top luxury options inside the Medina; Riad Farnatchi is one of the only riad-style properties that compares, but many will prefer the rich decor and generous freebies here.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
A luxurious, meticulously restored Morrocan riad in the heart of the Medina with two pools and plenty of space for quiet lounging
Built in the 1930s by a Marrakech judge, the Villa des
Orangers was completely renovated by its current French owners, Pascal and
Veronique Beherec, before they opened it in 1999. Appealing mostly to couples, the Relaix
& Chateaux approved luxury hotel is set within the walls of the Medina, and is walking distance to the Koutoubia mosque and the bustling Jemaa el Fna square.
Despite its location in the thick of the action, the historic riad conveys a
tranquil atmosphere. Within the hotel's walls are courtyards shaded by orange
trees, and equipped with bubbling fountains and private lounge areas with fireplaces where guests can relax, snack on dried local fruits, and sip mint tea.Two pools deliver more options for lounging. The main pool,
set in a courtyard lined with olive trees, is surrounded by neat rows of plush
lounge chairs with accompanying umbrellas while a second pool (on the hotel's
rooftop terrace) delivers a sunnier and more scenic vibe, offering views of the
Koutoubia Mosque and the bright blue sky.After breakfast in the garden, guests typically head out to explore
Marrakech and the surrounding landscape. Those who make it back in time can take
their (free) lunch poolside or beneath the shade of an orange tree on the patio,
and nibble on fare such as omelets, orange salad with cinnamon, and sea bream tartar. The hotel's
restaurant, led by a French chef, is open to outside guests for dinner, serving
French, Mediterranean, and Moroccan fare.This is easily one of the top riads within the Medina; Riad Farnatchi is comparable (and even smaller, with only nine rooms) but the richness of the decor isn't quite as impressive as what is found here. It also doesn't offer the perk of free lunch. Riad Kniza is similarly luxurious and often less expensive, but its location is a bit more removed from the historic center. Those who want a more hotel-like experience in the Medina could consider the much larger La Mamounia Marrakech. The top option in the Medina is the Royal Mansour, but expect prices to be more than double what they are here.
Location
In the Medina along Rue Sidi Mimoun, close to the Koutoubia mosque and walking distance to the Royal Palace and Jemaa El Fna Square
The hotel's location within the Medina is convenient to must-see sights and markets in Marrakech. La Villa des Orangers provides free transfers to the airport, a 15-minute drive from the hotel.- Five-minute walk to the Koutoubia Mosque
Rooms
A collection of rooms and suites with ornate Moroccan details, antique furnishings, private terraces, and spa-like bathrooms
Sheltered from the bustle of the surrounding streets, all rooms
at La Villa des Orangers face the hotel's interior courtyards, offering views of
the pool, gardens, and the top of the Koutoubia Mosque and distant Atlas
mountains from private terraces. Entry
level Deluxe Rooms are the smallest and come equipped with queen-size beds and
a location on the ground or first floor. Guests can upgrade to Deluxe Rooms
with terraces, which provide access to private rooftop terraces via indoor
staircases. The split-level Junior Suites feature living areas and bathrooms on
the first floor, bedrooms on a mezzanine level, and views of the hotel's main
courtyard and its orange trees. The larger Suites, some which occupy two
floors, are located on the top floor of the riad and offer private rooftop
terraces, separate bedrooms, and living areas with fireplaces. The hotel also
offers a private riad located on the first floor with a private pool and a
courtyard with banana trees.All of the rooms are individually decorated in plush
Morroccan style with arched doorways, carved wooden doors, antique wooden
furnishings, local artwork and photography, and rich color palettes with
bedding and fabrics in tones of ochre, purple, red, orange, and blue. The private terraces are enclosed with half-walls and
feature potted trees and shrubs, cushioned lounge chairs and umbrellas, and
small tables with chairs, ideal for relaxing with a cup of tea or glass of
wine.The bathrooms vary in size according to the room category,
but all are spacious and stocked with amenities that include claw-foot tubs, fireplaces,
separate walk-in showers with two shower heads, water closets, double marble vanities,
and plenty of thick towels and spa-quality toiletries. Other modern amenities found
in all rooms include air-conditioning, robes and slippers, stocked minibars, and
Wi-Fi.
Features
An intimate spa with fitness room, two pools, and a fine-dining restaurant
The hotel's two heated swimming pools offer guests the
opportunity to relax and refresh after a day of shopping and exploring. The
long courtyard pool is ideal for leisurely laps or lounging in a protected
environment surrounded by ivy-strewn walls and rows of olive trees. The
smaller, rooftop terrace pool delivers views of the Medina as well as the
distant Atlas Mountains. Breakfast and a light lunch are included in the hotel's room
rate, and guests are given the choice of enjoying a menu of salads, club
sandwiches, omelets, and daily pasta specials anywhere within the hotel -- poolside,
on the roof terrace, or in the shady courtyard, for example. In the evening, the hotel's
resident chef Jean-Claude Olry showcases a menu of Moroccan, Mediterranean,
and French dishes as well as an extensive wine list.The candle-lit Spa NUXE features a traditional Moroccan hammam, two treatment rooms, and three massage cabins, one dedicated to
couples. Treatments include scrubs and a variety of massages that incorporate Huile
Prodigieuse products.
