La Mamounia Luxury Hotel in Marrakech

During that romantic era of early travel, it was not just an hotel but a way of life, where a small exclusive community of ex-pats, colonial rulers and adventurers would lazily sip Scotch in the hotel's well-watered gardens. In post-war years it was a favourite haunt of Winston Churchill who painted from his balcony, which he declared the `loveliest spot on earth'. The numerous refits over the hotel's splendid history have not robbed it of its charm and it still retains gorgeous period detailing and fittings and is undeniably glamorous.

There are 171 rooms and 57 suites, several of which are themed (the 19th Century suite, the Orient Express suite, the Churchill suite).

There is attentive service and the facilities are excellent: five restaurants, four bars (including the truly stunning Piano Bar), a nightclub and casino, a beauty centre, a gym, squash and tennis courts, a business centre and shops. There is also a swimming pool with palm tree island surrounded by the most beautiful and extensive floral gardens.

Sports and leisure facilities include two tennis courts, an air-conditioned squash court, fully equipped gym, a superb ten acre gold driving range, beauty centre with hammam, sauna, massage, beauty and hair salon. Three championship golf courses and riding stables are a short taxi ride away.