Detailed Review
The Ksar Char-Bagh has little in common with a hotel. This is a private palace that opens its doors to receive privileged guests. The Ksar and its douar (village) lie at the end of a rough track in the palm grove. The tower of the palace rises from the sand like a dream glimpsed between the palm trees.
The image of Persian gardens develops here, running water and criss-crossing streams symbolising the rivers of paradise. This is the meaning of Ksar Char-bagh, the fundamental link between water and life. The palace is inspired by the 14th century Moorish architecture, and the earthy tones of the facades hide sumptuous interiors mingling sophistication with simplicity. Each guest is offered a harim suite (small apartment) and a private garden or terrace. A maximum of 26 guests can share the large spaces and enjoy tennis, private practice golf, heated pools, billiard room, library with lecture room, hammam, rooms for relaxation and massage, a gym and wine cellar. A talented French Chef orchestrates the kitchen where the refined medley of tastes is influenced by Mediterraean and oriental Cuisine.
"Even a few days spent here is a voyage."
Press Quotes
"Sprawling Moorish-style pleasure-dome..." The Times 06
Independent Reviews
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"A spacious and stunning private palais d'hotes in the Palmeraie, with elements of classical Islamic architecture - a luxurious retreat."
Our choice for luxury, this guest palace was designed along the principles of classical Islamic architecture, and modeled in part on the Alhambra Palace. Enormous, luxurious suites, exquisite food, and a huge hamman. A place to be pampered.
Ksar Char-Bagh
By Joanna Monkhouse
It may not be your dream to build a palace from scratch, but you will be glad that someone had the vision and dedication to do so as soon as you arrive at Ksar Char-Bagh – a ‘palais d’hôtes’ – luxurious guest palace fifteen minutes from the centre of Marrakech. Modelled in part on the Alhambra Palace in Granada, it has been constructed following the principles of Islamic architecture. A rough dirt track through the Palmeraie leads to a pair of colossal and currently unmarked wooden gates. Through the massive golden doors at the end of a path lit at ground level is the enormous and airy entrance hall with a long wooden table down one side and a strikingly modern spiral staircase on the other, framed through an aperture in the wall. Star-shaped holes in the high domed ceiling filter the light. A set of imposing wooden doors open onto the central courtyard, an impressive sight with the fountains reflecting the blue sky and the owners’ tall tower at the far end.
The suites are located on both ground and first floors on each side and light floods into them through the many arched windows that have views both of the courtyard and of the gardens and Palmeraie beyond. The space at Ksar Char-Bagh is almost overwhelming – the smallest of the suites comes in at 70m2, rising to 100m2 for those with a private terrace. The apartment has a small pool on the roof terrace. With this much space, you need a lot of furniture not to be minimalist. Each suite at Ksar Char-Bagh is furnished opulently but sparsely – bare cream walls save a couple of alcoves displaying objets d’art, wide scalloped arches, shiny grey ‘dess’ floors, a tall vase packed with pale roses, a bench, desk and chair, two armchairs, an inlaid table and an Eastern-style arrangement with a rug, floor cushions and giant brass plate in front of the fireplace, a wide, firm bed and a tv and dvd/cd player with surround sound with an inspired selection of films available, subtly encased in a custom made cabinet. It may sound like a lot, but it still seems to float in a sea of space.
The attention to detail at Ksar Char-Bagh could be described as fanatical but it has been worth it. Everything has been designed with a distinct purpose – to pamper the guest to the utmost. The air conditioning units are hidden in the wall and the narrow vents are almost invisible, the minibar is cleverly disguised too and even the water bottles have smart leather holders. The walk-in cupboard/dressing room is almost as large as the bathroom, which has two basins opposite each other, an elegant carved marble bath, a spacious shower room with a plate sized shower head, rose petals scattered around and piles of fluffy towels. Scented candles and bath oils are provided and can be chosen according to preference.
A bit of exploration will lead you to several comfortable salons, a billiards room with a huge table and the dining room that has walls consisting almost entirely of tall arched windows that overlook the pool and the gardens and a high vaulted ceiling worthy of a cathedral. A huge brass chandelier hangs on a long chain, inspired by those in the grand mosques. Ksar Char Bagh’s French chef serves exquisite food, both Moroccan and European (monkfish carpaccio, tagine of lamb and apricots, fish risotto, chocolate soufflé and peach soup with verveine sorbet – just a few examples to start your mouth watering). Breakfast is a daily surprise and can be served where you wish – by the pool, in your room, in a corner of the garden or on your roof terrace.
There is water all around Ksar Char-Bagh – a moat at the entrance, irrigation canals running around the gardens and grounds, the fountains, flowing over pebbles next to the stairs to the suites – for Char-Bagh is the place in the Garden of Paradise where all the rivers meet. The long and wide, natural coloured swimming pool is lined by mature palm trees (imported from Agadir) that are flood lit at night, providing a spectacular back drop to dinner. The spa is located underneath the public areas, a large earthy-red marble hamman, resting and massage rooms – after gommage and massage you will feel fresh and relaxed with skin like a baby. The ruin behind the pool has been converted to an open air massage area, and the white fabric shades are secured in a traditional fashion using stones and string. The berber village behind, many of whose inhabitants are employed at Ksar Char-Bagh, will soon have small shops selling the bath products, interiors objects that have been designed specifically for the palace and local handicrafts. The gardens are filled with palms, fig and olive trees, an orchard, vegetables and herbs for the kitchens and flowers for the salons and suites.
Any needs you may have will be tended to as soon as they arise by the obliging staff and the charming Parisian hosts are always close at hand. There is internet access in the entrance hall. The only two London taxis you’ll see in Marrakech provide the private airport transfer service. Ksar Char-Bagh is a palace and after a few days there you will feel like a princess (or a prince), and wish you could be locked up there with no chance of rescue - but your bank manager might not share your enthusiasm, rates are in the ’if you have to ask you can’t afford it’ league. Opened in Spring 2003, this is somewhere sure to improve with age, as it becomes more at ease with itself, details are finished and the gardens develop.
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