Les Deux Tours

Architect Charles Boccara bought this palm tree-laden property in 1991, reopening the renovated Les Deux Tours in 2008 as a unique hotel composed of traditional adobe buildings and private riads scattered around a central outdoor pool. The beautiful gardens brimming with both flora and fauna -- including a donkey and goat -- conceal hammocks and shaded daybeds amid lily ponds and fountains. As if that weren't romantic enough, there's also the peaceful pool, a stretch of heated aquamarine water extending gracefully alongside beautiful stone decks lined with white sun loungers and umbrellas -- naturally, cocktails are available poolside, and the rounded end of the pool is decorated with gorgeous mosaic tiling. Inside, the restaurants and bars are similarly breathtaking, with vaulted stone ceilings set off by dramatic chandeliers, fireplaces, colorfully tiled floors, and jewel-tone velvet chairs. Unsurprisingly, couples are drawn to the private feeling of this property, though there are also some families and solo travelers in the mix. 

Les Deux Tours is located in the palm groves outside of Marrakesh. This is a quiet area with several other luxury hotels nearby, far from the commotion of the Medina, which is about a 15-minute drive -- alternatively the hotel operates a free shuttle for guests’ convenience (every two hours, throughout the day). There are three nearby golf courses, including Golf Club Palmeraie, at just over five minutes' drive. For guests with cars, free parking is provided, with no reservations necessary. Marrakech Menara Airport is about 20 minutes away.

The rooms and suites are spread throughout several palatial riads with views of the gardens, and most have private balconies (though some ground-floor rooms have shared patios). The standard Classic Rooms are far from small, but their layouts can be cramped and dark even after throwing open all the wooden shutters. All are air-conditioned and have minibars, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, safes, and kettles for tea and instant coffee. Some have fireplaces and all have pretty, Moroccan tiling and rich, natural-wood furniture, with contemporary lamps and white-upholstered chairs mixed in. Suites add living rooms, dedicated work spaces, and more elaborate interiors, some with fantastic vaulted ceilings. The large bathrooms have big, tiled soaking tubs with showerheads, or walk-in rainfall showers. There are also a few "private residence" suites, whole traditional riads with their own private gardens and plunge pools. 

Several acres of tree-lined paths lead to the hotel's heated outdoor pool, which looks like it was partially built within the ruins of an old Berber village. Sun loungers dot the perimeter, while daybeds and hammocks are scattered around the grounds, making for plenty of quiet places to relax. For professional relaxing, Les Bains is a traditional spa with a hot bath hammam and two steam rooms. Covered, outdoor treatment rooms built from adobe stone provide exotic locations for the usual array of massages and body therapies. The dining here is well-regarded, and the two eateries serve traditional specialties along with Western standards; the dishes incorporate produce and herbs from the hotel's own gardens. La Pergola serves light bites and lunch outdoors (under a pergola) and Le Salammbo covers a range of Mediterranean flavors with French culinary sensibilities -- on display in dishes like fried scallops with pistachio, artichoke mousseline and saffron emulsion, or the lamb confit stew with crushed quince, and tfaya (a Moroccan garnish of caramelized onions and raisins). The attached bar with its open fireplace has an extensive wine list, cocktails with fresh herbs, and a beautiful outdoor terrace.