Finest Hotel in Marrakech

Q: For my wife's 40th birthday I want to fulfill our dream of visiting Marrakech in Morocco. I have sorted out flights, but need to know the very best place to stay. Is La Mamounia still the city's finest hotel or is there another place I should consider? I am looking for something romantic and really special for this once-in-a-lifetime trip. - Lee Drummond

Q: After an extensive three-year facelift, La Mamounia Hotel has regained its status as the country's finest hotel and one of the best in Africa. Regarded as a palace of relaxation, the gorgeous hotel has hosted guests and luminaries over the years as diverse as Winston Churchill, Omar Sharif and Elton John. It is now the ultimate Moroccan palace with spectacular decor and facilities. You can dine at the pool or in a traditional house and take advantage of the new spa. All this luxury and pampering does not come cheap, though, You can expect to pay around 5500 Moroccan Dirham (R4750) for a double room and 7500 Dirham (R6500) for a suite (www.mamounia.com). If that's a bit expensive for you, Marrakech is also home to a number of superb boutique hotels. One of the best is the magnificent Dar Seven. With the feel of an elegant home with potted olive trees, antique doors and windows and a dining table in the open-air courtyard. You can get a room here for 150-200 Euros (R1470-R1070). You can find a selection of fabulous boutique properties on the www.mrandmrssmith.com website. If you prefer a simpler experience, there are hundreds of riads in the old city that offer impossibly glamorous settings for a special occasion such as yours. One of the most romantic is Riad Enija. Built as a royal residence and then home to a wealthy silk merchant it heaves with history and charm. It is made up of three houses filled with antiques, offering dreamy courtyards, comfortable rooms and fine fare (www.riadenija.com). Another traditional riad that would make a charming place to stay is the Dar Sbihi. Expect mosaic-tile walls, cedarwood doors painted in geometric designs and hand-carved archways. A central patio is surrounded by a gallery of arcades and it has a hammam and a swimming pool(www.riaddarsbihi.com). Rates for rooms in the best riads start at around 100 Euros (R980). (24/4/11)