Jnane Tamsna

Tatler. Conde Nast Traveller. The broadsheets. They all wax lyrical about the Jnane Tamsna. The Sunday Times called it a 'boutique hotel with a coolly contemporary flavour'. And that's a very apt description. It's chic. It's elegant. And it's full of class. A real labour of love, this property was the brainchild of Morocco's Meryanne Lourn-Martin. Known for her cutting-edge interior design, she's worked her unique brand of magic on this select, riad-style property. Think carved wooden doors and colourful Berber rugs. Old studded chests and inlaid mother of pearl tabletops. Add Meryanne's own contemporary creations – like wrought iron lamps and chairs – and you've got one stylish Moroccan hideaway. Cocooned within gardens filled with gnarled olive trees, date palms and trailing bougainvillea, it's made up of five luxurious two storey houses. Like mini medinas, they're all located around a central courtyard and lead out onto verandas. There are two pools to choose from, surrounded by comfortable sun loungers and landscaped gardens. There's also a traditional hammam, where you can enjoy a mud facial or a soothing aromatherapy massage. The piece de resistance, however, is the restful rooftop terrace. Offering up awe-inspiring views of the Atlas Mountains and the neighbouring palm grove, it's the perfect escape from the hub of the medina. As to the bedrooms, each and every one is different. Some have fireplaces. Others have canopied beds. The one constant is that they're all a subtle fusion of traditional fabrics, hand-woven rugs and Moorish arches. And it's the same story in the bathrooms. Earthy-coloured plaster walls and typically Moroccan copper sinks take pride of place alongside herbal bath products.

And on the subject of herbs, the Jnane Tamsna has its very own organic garden, created by Meryanne's botanist husband. He grows all sorts of herbs, fruit and vegetables – most of which are used in the organic cuisine that's served up here. Mealtimes are wonderfully unpretentious. Tuck into a straightforward Moroccan spread of freshly squeezed orange juice, delicious homemade jams and a bread basket selection at breakfast time. For lunch and dinner you can expect starter dishes like pumpkin soup and tomato and aubergine tartlets followed by lamb tajines and Lebanese meat balls. Round off a meal with straight-from-the-tree oranges sprinkled with cinnamon and simple fruit pies. Dinner is often served in some hideaway alcove or outside on one of the patios lit by lanterns and torches. Away from the hotel, it's about a 15 minute drive to the labyrinthine passageways and souks of Marrakech and so the Jnane Tamsna tends to attract guests looking for a tranquil and relaxed break. As well as discerning families, the Jnane Tamsna draws an international crowd of well-educated and artsy people – in fact, it's a firm favourite with David Bowie and his supermodel wife Iman. Impressive credentials indeed.

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