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.