Opulent Moroccan Villa
The Dar Ayniwen is a luxury hotel in Marrakech’s Palmeraie, set amidst the sandy desert tracks about 15 minutes drive (8km) from the medina. This is an almost biblical setting, hidden amidst tall palm trees with a backdrop of the High Atlas Mountains. This top-notch boutique hotel has drivers on-call making it easy for guests to visit the city or one of the local golf courses. Within the centre of Marrakech is the old medina, the Koutoubia Mosque and the large central square full of local performers, vendors and snake charmers, called the Jemaa el Fna. The airport is 12km from the hotel.
This unique boutique hotel offers all the benefits of a luxury home along with all the services of a luxury hotel. The villa was built as a family home for the present owner over 25 years ago. It has now been converted into a luxurious boutique hotel, giving fortunate guests the opportunity to sample the lifestyle of wealthy Moroccans.
The advantage of being a short distance outside the city is the quiet serenity of the Dar Ayniwen and its lush gardens which extend over 12 acres. There is a garden pavilion, a lily pond and extensive lawns and flowering plants in this verdant oasis. The villa is spacious and the 8 suites all overlook the beautiful gardens. There is a heated swimming pool surrounded by lounge seating on the Moorish-style patio and the hotel also has a traditional hammam or steam room. The spa offers a range of oriental beauty treatments in an aid-back atmosphere. Enjoy a massage or sauna from the local staff for whom these services are a traditional art. The treatments are finished with time in the relaxation room where the scent of incense lulls guests gently to the sound of harps and lutes.
Each of the boutique hotel suites is elegantly decorated and furnished with high quality local antiques. Bedrooms have large-screen TVs which is unusual in typical Marrakech riads. Each suite includes a marble bathroom decorated in local style with beautiful tiles. The Moroccan cook prepares gourmet dishes from around the world, from local gastronomic delights to classic Italian dishes.
With 7 gardeners and 13 hotel staff, guests are well outnumbered and thoroughly looked after with attentive service. This is one of the few luxury hotels in Marrakech to thoroughly deserve its full 5-star rating.
