Resorts

Amanjena

Amanjena, or ‘peaceful paradise’, is the first Aman resort on the African continent. The property is located just outside the ancient Moroccan city of Marrakech on the southern road to Ouarzazate, the gateway to the Sahara Desert. The High Atlas Mountains claim the Marrakech horizon and the Atlantic coast is just two hours away. Known in Arabic as Al Medina al-Hamra, the ‘Red City’, due to its rosy-hued walls and structures, Marrakech was the inspiration for Amanjena’s design. The resort’s walls and Morocco luxury pavilions echo the city’s old pisé (rammed earth) buildings as well as the Berber villages that cling to the High Atlas Mountains. Green is also a predominant colour in the oasis of Marrakech – the colour of Islam, paradise, royalty and abundance. The colour of nature gilds Amanjena, too: its lawns and vines, its emerald-clay roofs, Moroccan marble fountains and the dazzle of hand-cut, glazed tiles known as zellij.

Details

ACCOMMODATION
Amanjena’s 18 rose-toned Pavilions, six Pavilions Bassin, eight Pavilions Piscine, six two-storey Maisons and the two-bedroom Al-Hamra Maison all radiate from the ancient bassin (irrigation pool) which lies at the heart of the property.

PAVILIONS
The resort’s 32 air-conditioned Pavilions lie beneath their own graceful stuc Venetien domes. The pale peach-coloured walls feature a lustrous tadlekt finish, a treatment originally reserved for waterproofing hammam (steam bath) walls. Under the dome is a king-size bed and a wood-burning fireplace brightens the living area. Other furnishings include a daybed and a desk finished in Moroccan leather, as well as a cherry-wood chair. Ouarzazate green marble finishes the bathroom with its stepped and columned bathtub, twin vanities, soaring mirrors, twin dressing areas and separate shower and toilet. Berber carpets are scattered about the zellij -tiled floors.

Sliding glass and cedar doors lead to each Pavilion ’s garden courtyard with views either of the golf course or olive groves. The Pavilions Bassin enjoys sweeping views over the central irrigation pool whilst the Pavilions Piscine (pool pavilions) have their own 25-square metre heated pools and extended private gardens. Courtyards feature large lounging couches flanked by black lanterns as well as zellij fountains recessed into the terracotta-tiled floors.

MAISONS
Amanjena’s six two-storey, two-bedroom Maisons rise seven metres from floor to ceiling in a variation of the Moroccan town house. The living area, located on the ground floor, features an arc-cut fireplace, a zellij wall fountain and a small bathroom. The self-contained guest bedroom, with its queen-sized bed, bathroom with separate shower and toilet, dressing area and separate courtyard entrance, is also located on this floor. The master suite upstairs features a king-sized bed and divan, while the en suite bathroom is defined by marble columns, a domed shower, a pillared green marble bathtub and separate toilet. Each Maison ’s courtyard enjoys its own private heated swimming pool, most with views directly over the bassin. Two of the six Maisons come with garden courtyards. These Maisons Jardin feature a fireplace, a large minzah, a butler’s pantry and a shade tree.

AL-HAMRA MAISON
The largest accommodation unit is the Al-Hamra Maison. This graceful abode features an extensive main pavilion with a large indoor living and dining area, an open fireplace and private butler service. Two bedrooms are linked by an open passageway to the shared garden which offers two minzahs for dining and lounging as well as a private 36-square meter heated pool.

DINING
Featuring clusters of cotton-sabra armchairs, The Bar is ideal for casual dining, pre-dinner aperitifs and post-dinner nightcaps. The venue is airily cool in summer and warmly welcoming during winter with its open fireplace and ambient lighting. Housed within The Bar, the Fumoir offers a selection of cigars.
Framed by onyx columns, The Restaurant is an elegant space centred by a marble fountain and lit by a retractable skylight. The menu features Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine.

SPA
Spa treatments ranging from traditional Moroccan gommage (scrubs) to a selection of massages can be enjoyed at Amanjena’s Spa. Other services include reflexology, facials, manicures, pedicures and waxing. Private treatment rooms offer a peaceful sanctuary for relaxation.
Amanjena’s Spa features two Turkish-style hammams (steam baths) complemented by showers, washrooms, a dressing area and a glassed-in whirlpool. The whirlpool opens onto a fountain courtyard bordered by a two-metre pisé wall.