Tigmiza Boutique Hôtel & Spa

Upon arrival, visitors enter this walled complex through gates strung between between two earth-red towers, leading to a modest and unassuming drop-off area. When they step though the main building's simple Arabian-style doorway, they'll immediately find a tranquil atmosphere. Next, they'll be ushered into the lobby's Moroccan Room -- a lavishly decorated space awash with plush purple and gold furnishings illuminated by a trio of crystal chandeliers -- and served freshly squeezed orange juice and sweet Moroccan pastries. The hotel comprises the main building, a collection of villas, and two outdoor swimming pools set in an acre and a half of beautifully manicured gardens bursting with scented herbs, vibrant bougainvillea, and date palms, all accompanied by the chirruping of small birds, flitting butterflies, and buzzing dragonflies. 

Every inch a family project, Tigmiza Suites & Pavillons was conceived by the father of the Laraqui family, while the artist mother and designer daughter provided the inspiration and decor for practically every corner of the property -- hand-picked antiques, curios, and objets d'art are scattered throughout. The name even means home of Iza -- Iza being the family's young niece -- while the other daughter deals with the day-to-day running of the hotel. The attention to detail, both in service and decor, creates a real boutique-hotel vibe as well as a genuinely refined ambience that you rarely find in a family-run property.

The hotel is located in the tranquil and relatively isolated Palmeraie area east of Marrakech surrounded by palm groves, dusty trails, and a few other resorts -- there is very little within walking distance. A good 20-minute drive from the souks and tourist attractions of Marrakech's iconic medina, it's somewhere peaceful to hole up away from the bustle of the city, while also providing easy access to the surrounding countryside. The hotel does provide a free and fairly frequent shuttle service into the city center and taxis aren't expensive. Marrakech Menara International Airport is around 10 miles away, or at least a 30-minute drive.

The hotel has 10 Suites, 14 private Villas, and three private Pavilions. The Suites all face the main building's central atrium and each one is superbly finished with a specific theme inspired by destinations around the world, from lavish neoclassic in black and gold (La Noire et Or) to the sumptuous elegance of the East (L'Orientale) to refined and British (L'Anglaise) to soft Asian tranquility (La Zen). All include separate lounge areas and spacious bathrooms with large tubs, walk-in rainfall showers, and Italian toiletries. The Pavilions are larger living spaces with private terraces set in the hotel's Bamboo Grove, while the Villas form a Berber-style village and include lounges with fireplaces and gardens with private pools. All rooms include large flat-screen TVs with satellite channels (though few are in English), free fast Wi-Fi, (quite pricey) minibars, and fluffy bathrobes. Cots and children's beds can be provided. 

The hotel's main pool provide a particularly peaceful place to unwind with wicker loungers, poolside bar, and very attentive towel service. The water, however, is unheated for most of the year and can be bracing even during hot weather. The second large pool sits at the back of the property and includes a separate area for kids (though the quiet is occasionally broken by noise from the adjacent road) and the third is lined set in the courtyard lined with banana plants. A lovely rooftop bar and restaurant provides good food and a fine spot to watch the sunset over the mountains, while a English-style pub provides cozy surrounds during cooler weather though drinks are pricey. A pleasant, if not particularly extensive breakfast buffet can be enjoyed on a sunny patio and is included in the rate. The hotel's hammam also provides body scrubs, massages, and wraps, while a private cinema with deep red leather armchairs has a choice of over 300 movies.