Amanjena: Moorish palatial oasis in the Palmeraie of Marrakech with turquoise bassin reflecting pool and private riad maisons

Located just outside the ancient medina walls in the lush Palmeraie of Marrakech, Amanjena opened in 2000 as architect Ed Tuttle’s romantic tribute to Moorish and Berber architecture. Translating to 'peaceful paradise,' the 40-pavilion retreat is centered around an ancient, grand turquoise reflecting bassin inspired by the 12th-century Menara gardens. Rose-tinted pisé walls, graceful horseshoe arches, soaring colonnades, and fragrant courtyards of olive and citrus trees create an oasis of tranquility against views of the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains.

Arrival immerses guests in royal Moroccan grandeur: personal hosts guide travelers past candlelit water fountains and bubbling streams. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating bespoke cultural and desert journeys: private scholar-led walking tours through the vibrant souks and historic palaces of the Medina, private sidecar excursions through the Palmeraie, day trips to the Berber villages of the Ourika Valley, and securing evening dining in the palatial Moroccan Restaurant.

Palatial leisure is anchored by expansive resort amenities: an outdoor 33-metre heated emerald swimming pool, clay tennis courts, and the palatial Aman Spa featuring authentic separate men’s and women’s marble Turkish hammams, steam baths, and botanical treatments using argan oil and Moroccan black soap. Dining spans authentic Moroccan tagines in the Moroccan Restaurant, Japanese washoku at Nama, and Mediterranean poolside dining.

Accommodations comprise 32 Pavillons (175 square metres of indoor/outdoor living, including private pool pavilions) and 8 two-story Maisons measuring up to 572 square metres. Each residence features soaring domed ceilings, open fireplaces, hand-woven Berber carpets, private sun courtyards, and green marble bathrooms with stepped soaking tubs.

Culture connoisseurs, romantic couples, and design lovers seeking majestic Moorish architecture, authentic hammam rituals, and serene Palmeraie isolation should book Amanjena without hesitation. Travelers seeking bustling nightlife inside the cramped medina alleyways should look elsewhere. Grounded review consensus confirms exceptional standing with a 4.8 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 410 reviews and a 4.7 out of 5 on Google across 340 reviews.