Villa Des Orangers in Marrakech

The style is Moorish palatial and it has 27 rooms and suites arranged on two levels around a trio of beautiful courtyards - one of them filled with the eponymous orange trees, others lavishly decorated with lacy carved plasterwork, fountains and gardens. All rooms have a bath and shower, mini-bar, safe, satellite TV and phone; some suites have private sun terraces.

All guests have access to the roof with its plunge pool and matchless views of the nearby Koutoubia Mosque and its landmark minaret. The location is good - just a few minutes walk from Jemaa El Fna, the old city's central square. Befitting its status as one of the few "Relais et Chateaux" hotels in Morocco, the service and attention to detail is outstanding.

The third courtyard has three luxurious garden suites overlooking a large pool (48 x 12 ft) and gardens. Each of these suites has a living room and bedroom with fireplace, bath and shower, small dressing room with double vanity facilities, plasma screen TV, CD and DVD player, internet connection, safe and mini-bar.

Eight of the suites are grouped with a traditional hammam with massage cabins, restaurant, a third pool, fitness room and winter lounge as well as a larger garden.

Also available is a small riad containing just two suites, a solarium, sitting room with fireplace, and even a small pool, to be booked as a whole.

The hammam and spa are excellent. Other features are a restaurant with Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine, a massage cabin, beauty centre, boutique and changing room with shower for those guests who have a late check-out prior to leaving for the airport. Wireless internet is freely available in the lounges and courtyards.

The Villa Des Orangers does not normally accept bookings for children younger than 12 years.