La Sultana Marrakech

Set around a courtyard, each riad has something to fall in love with. The arched Riad Almohad boasts a large heated pool, whilst Riad Bahia provides sunlit views of the Medina and the Atlas Mountains from its rooftop lounge - make sure to sample the Moroccan Street Food Lunch. Or, surrounded by the fine white stucco of Riad Sabaa, dip your feet in the whirlpool bath over a cup of mint tea. Food-wise, Le Table provides a tasty French or Moroccan menu, best enjoyed on the terrace or poolside, and for a spiced cocktail, head to the Odette Bar, where Marrakesh's high society often partied. And when you're in need of pampering, the ornate hammam fits the bill.

Morocco is known as a country of many faces and you may well see most of them in Marrakesh. In the Medina itself, there are sprawling palaces, mosques and markets - the street food is worth a whole tour on its own. Then comes the adventurous side. Not far from the Atlas Mountains, take a hot air balloon ride at dawn, hike to a Berber village and join a mint tea ceremony, or take a camel ride into the Agafay Desert. For something closer to home, take a historical tour of the hotel or join the chef for a lesson in making a delicious tagine.