Morocco has a long history of catering to sophisticated tourists, starting at least as far back as World War II when Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart put the country on the world cultural map forever with the hit movie “Casablanca” in 1942. There is a wide variety of fabulous five-star resorts in Morocco because the country has been home to the rich and famous on vacation for decades. You will not be short of options in this beautiful little gem of a kingdom.

One luxury destination that is especially charming and consistently receives rave reviews from American visitors is called Amanjena, a cozy and secluded resort on the outskirts of Marrakech, on the southern road to Ouuarzazate, which is Morocco’s gateway into the great inland ocean of sand that is the Sahara. what are you doing Amanjena So special is the winning combination of its spectacular natural beauty (situated as it is in the shadow of the massive Atlas Mountains), excellent facilities, consistently exceptional service, and the small number of villas available, ensuring privacy and special attention. of the good-trained personnel.

On a good day without traffic, it’s no more than twenty minutes from the airport, nestled in the foothills of the Atlas (so often covered in snow on days when the temperature at the resort is a perfect mid-70s). The mountains are one of two reasons so many guests seem to keep coming back to Amanjena– they appear so large on the horizon that they put human concerns into perspective, and one will find guests simply sitting for half an hour looking at the mountains from a deck chair with a look of paralyzed relaxation on their faces. It is a transformative experience for those who have never tried it.

A second reason many people get excited about Amanjena it’s one you might never guess, and maybe it’s more than a little strange: It’s the library, a service one wouldn’t expect to find in a resort nestled in the foothills of Morocco’s Rocky Mountains. The library is a charming two-story structure with a chimney and a 20-foot ceiling with a balcony of the sort sometimes seen in the most elegant private libraries in English country houses. It runs right along the perimeter of the second floor. Light filters through dozens of pointed windows cut at different levels into the walls, which are lined with Tadlekt (a kind of stucco often found in North Africa). Built-in glass shelves display hundreds of books and current magazines and newspapers from the US, UK and France.

Many guests spend hours here delving into the fine selection of superbly bound travel books and memoirs from early visitors to Morocco, primarily French and British explorers and adventurers. Everything in this glittering library (will other luxury resorts now copy this idea?) reflects Morocco, from the highly polished, handcrafted tables inlaid with wild cherry and stained with an ebony sheen, to the Moucharabieh-protected railing that surrounds most of the room, and the dresser farmhouse (Divanes or Moroccan couches) arranged in a semicircle around the fireplace.

dining in the Amanjena always memorable, the talented chefs focus on authentic and unforgettable Moroccan dishes and Mediterranean cuisine in general. The main restaurant is arranged around a central fountain and overhead skylight with banquettes and tables along the walls. Weather permitting, food is often moved outdoors. Near the pool is a Thai restaurant with lighter meals. Breakfast and lunch are also available on the smaller pool deck and of course you can always choose to dine privately in your villa. With a little notice, the hotel staff will organize special meals for you in the Carpa Caidal, a traditionally Moroccan setting on the edge of an olive grove.

Amanjena is the first resort developed on the African continent by the highly respected Singapore-based Amanresorts International, which was founded by Adrian Zecha in 1988. Amanresorts owns and manages 25 small resorts and luxury hotels around the world. Surprisingly, reserving a room, double occupancy, for four nights would set you back around $1,000, or $125 per person per night, an amazing bargain given the quality of the amenities. take a long look at the by Amanjena Brilliant website to check recent prices and book your stay there.