Reviews of Holidays and Hotels in Morocco - Four Spas Where You Can Rough It In Style
The Guardian, 15 March 2003
[This article has being edited to only include the part related to Morocco]
Four spas where you can rough it in style
Looking for a down-to-earth spa break without the swanky gold taps, marble floors and private butler? Suzanne Duckett selects four low-key properties where you can rough it in style
Caravanserai, Morocco
The word caravanserai originates from two Persian words - karawan, meaning caravan, and saria, meaning an inn (in the past they were resting places on the edge of a city where merchants would stop, bathe and rejuvenate before heading into the city to sell their wares). Today, guests use the magical Caravanserai to rejuvenate before heading 15 minutes into the centre of Marrakech to shop (the hotel provides a free mini-bus shuttle into the centre three times a day). The mini hammam, plunge pool, and private treatment room is ideal to dip in and out of for a customary steam, traditional gommage (top-to-toe body scrub) and an assortment of more global facials and massages.
Why roughing it? Dubbed as ethno-chic, Caravanserai offers traditional, authentic, Moroccan village life, original mud walls, bare floors and all.
Why in style? You've still got some of the luxuries of a hotel (most rooms have a private balcony, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, huge limestone bath tubs without a gold tap in sight) and it's so stylish that the top fashion magazines have all shot here. A couple of the 18 suites have their own small courtyard and swimming pool. There's also a very cool bar.
