Riad Kniza Marrakech

The ornate hotel was restored to perfection by some of the city's finest craftspeople, and its intricate stuccos, authentic lanterns, and fine zellige tiling hark back to a Marrakesh of old. Days can be spent enjoying mint tea in a curtained pergola on the terrace, or soothing your stresses in the hamman, and when hunger strikes, meals are served where and when you like - and it's always an occasion! Dinner is a multi-course feast, beginning with cocktails in the courtyard and followed by some of the best Moroccan cuisine in town.

The 11 suites are rather grand and the heavy silk drapes and delicately-carved ceilings are beautiful, not to mention the carefully found and restored antiques, from painted wedding chests to Oriental paintings. Soothing lighting is provided by traditional lanterns and your King-sized bed either sits under a stucco dome or behind gossamer curtains on a raised platform. Every inch of the rooms are rich in colour and texture, with velvet couches and marble-clad bathrooms. The most sumptuous of them all is the Royal Suite, which is the size of a small house.

The Riad Kniza is well-positioned within the Medina, making it easy to explore the souks of Djemaa El Fna. The stunning Jardin Marjorelle is also within strolling distance, and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, and Saadian Tombs are also worth a visit. For the adventurous, there are camel rides into the desert, treks to find ancient Berber villages in the Atlas Mountains, and whirlwind sidecar rides through the city. And foodies aren't forgotten either - get to know Marrakesh by taste on a tour of its street food stalls and stop to bake bread at the communal oven.