Villa Des Orangers

La Villa certainly knows the importance of a cushy spot to put up your feet; choose from the tropical gardens in summer to the fire-warmed lounges in winter, and the terraces with immaculate views of the famous Koutoubia minaret at any time of year. Even better, there's a large pool in the middle of the villa with plenty of loungers, plus two more on the rooftop, and all heated in season. Meals combine local fare - seafood from the Atlantic and artisanal cheese - with dishes from East to West.

The rooms at La Villa are classic and clean with plenty of dark wood furnishings and silk scatter cushions. They range from courtyard rooms to a Master Suite with a private balcony, living room and walk-in closet. The bathrooms are chic with marble finishes, twin basins and luxury amenities. If you have a larger group or fancy the added privacy, book the exclusive riad with two bedrooms, an alfresco dining area and living room, and a private pool. All rooms also have high-speed Wi-Fi, a Nespresso machine and satellite TV.

With a location as good as this, there's nothing stopping you from diving right into Marrakesh's 1000-year-old history. Take a stroll down the city's winding lanes to find the gilded Saadian Tombs and the grand Bab Agnaou Gate; venture into the French Gueliz district to the beautiful Marojorelle Garden and Yves Sant Laurent Museum; and return to Djemaa El Fna for an evening of good food, storytelling and music. Of course, this is Morocco so adventure isn't far off - you'll find plenty of it on a hot air balloon ride over the Atlas Mountains or hiking to a far-flung Berber village.