Where to stay in Morocco
La Villa des Orangers
If you are planning a trip to Marrakech, book into a riad. These are traditional Moroccan houses in which a courtyard garden is situated at the centre of the house. Many of them have been converted into small hotels, and La Villa des Orangers is one of the best.
How they rate it
La Villa des Orangers offers a "really polished, 'grown-up' Marrakesh experience", says The Daily Telegraph. Hidden behind a solid, ornately carved wooden door, the villa boasts "exquisite accommodation
and impeccable service in beautiful, tranquil surroundings". There is a large, heated pool, a roof terrace with a plunge pool and several of the rooms have private roof terraces.
The menu
Meals can be taken in a "rather grand dining-room", or several other "secluded spots" around the villa. Dishes include sea-bass fillet with polenta and iced chestnuts and emulsion of wasabi mustard. Or if you prefer a traditional Moroccan dish, there is a chicken tagine with apricots and nuts.
The cost
Rooms cost from €335, including airport transfers, breakfast and lunch. For more information, visit www.villadesorangers.com, or call 00 212 524 38 46 38.
Mazagan Beach Resort
A trip to Morocco doesn't have to mean a city break. There are a growing number of top-quality resorts opening up along the coast. The Mazagan opened last year with a £15m party – a snip compared to the £274m spent on building the resort. It has 11 restaurants, several shops, a casino, nightclub, 468 bedrooms and 17 suites. If you like boutique hotels, this may not be for you. But anyone looking for a luxury break with everything on hand should check in.
How they rate it
All of the hotel rooms are large, with "copious amounts of floor area", says Rob Sharp in The Independent. "Ostentatious water features pepper the grounds among the huge areas of lush grass." But not everything is landscaped; the sands have been left undisturbed as 'virgin beach'. For sunbathing, you are better off claiming one of the 150 sun loungers around the huge central pool.
The menu
With 11 restaurants to choose from, you won't go hungry. The Market Place offers a "reasonably priced" international buffet, or try Morjana for local dishes and wines.
The cost
A deluxe room with a pool view at Mazagan Beach Resort costs from €138 per night. Visit www.mazaganbeachresort.com, or call 00 212 5 2338 8000 to find out more.