L'Heure Bleue Palais

In a room of arched windows, red velvet chairs and tassled chandeliers, the Salon Oriental serves Moroccan, Souiri and European cuisine, including freshly-caught lobster, lamb with Berber couscous, and desserts of caramel cake, salted butter and saffron. Enjoy cocktails and teas by the fire in the grand English Lounge, or head to the rooftop terrace for the grilled kebabs of the day and a sundowner. With walls of black marble, the spa provides soothing treatments in the hammam. If you fancy some fun, challenge someone to a game of billiards.

Gleaming Moroccan floors, ornate wooden doors, and leather foot poufs all bring a classic feel to each room. With a King-sized bed and dark wood furnishings, the rooms are comfortable and well-appointed. The larger suites also have a central fireplace, which leads into the sitting area. Done in pristine marble, the bathrooms have a walk-in shower and double basins, and some have a deep tub. While each room is spacious and private, the Family Suite has two en-suite bedrooms and a large lounge.

If you're a history buff, head out to find the 18th-century canons on the ramparts and visit the famous Sidi Magdoul lighthouse. Or, if you love nothing more than a good barter, wind your way through Essaouira's stalls of textiles, pottery and spices; and if you just want the sand between your toes, find the nearest beach for a sunny day spent surfing (there are plenty of places to learn), swimming.or horse-riding in the waves. A little further afield, the a camel ride along the Tuareg Trail will take you through forests, dunes, and the village of Diabat where Jimmy Hendrix once lived.