Amanjena

( 4 stars , Marrakech , Morocco )

Amanjena is rated by all specialists as the best hotel in Africa.

excellent and beautiful hotel. Rooms are small houses with a dome roof that lights at night. Fountain in the terrace and small pavillion for intimate dinner or breakfast. The best was the bathroom; bathtub, different showers, etc that are open to a small courtyard. Really recommended!

Our stay in Amanjena was superb, it's really a paradise on earth. We were welcomed by the GM who offered some mint tea, then the receptionist took us in a tour, oh a nice big swimming pool!!! The staff was very professional, smiling and helpful.Dadda, the pool terrace supervisor never stopped to make our stay more enjoyable, suggesting food and excursions. We are planning to be back ASAP.

Gorgeous rooms and public areas. A near faultless service though the concierge were not all that cooperative...and a wonderful spa (have a traditional hamam). As with all Aman resorts much of the food is thai influenced and although it is good, whilst in Morocco I would recommend visiting the many restaurants hidden down tiny alleyways in the medina. You go through the wooden doors and enter a hidden palace! There is no other way to do Morocco than to stay at the Amanjena, but be aware it is not central in town.

We had booked 1 night at Villa des Oranger and 3 nights at Amanjena. Given the cost of both, we were looking forward to our stay. Villa des Oranger was simply fantastic! No more needed to be said. Amanjena was an hour late in picking us up. We were not impressed since they could have called to let us know. Once we were on the property, we thought the tranquility and the grandness of the reflecting pool was very nice. The room was spacious but sort of empty. In comparison, the decor at Villa des Oranger was much more sophisticated. We wanted air conditioning and were told it's winter and no ac was available, we can just leave the door open. So for $1200/ night, we can leave the doors open so we can hear our neighbours (on both sides)? Oh, by the way, that $200 17" low tech TV just won't do in this price range.... The dinners are great, good food and reasonable prices for a highend restaurant. But just don't eat lunch or breakfast there. A hambuger is $30, a bowl of fried rice is $30, 2 fried eggs, 4 slices of bacon and a few cubes of potatoes is $30. No garnish or presentation at all. They took us to Essaouira at the end of our stay and it cost us $400. We spoke with a cab driver with a relatively new Mercedes and he told us it csot $80 one way or $120 return. The bottom line... we like the spaciousness and tranquility, it's like having your own palace and staff. We dislike the lack of soundproofing beween pavillions, you can hear everything. The room price, thought there were limited value in what we were getting. The service was just average, the Four Seasons Resorts were much better in comparison.

This is simply a great place to stay. The setting is stunning, reminiscent of some exotic palace, and after dark the whole place is illuminated by candles which reflect in the water of the bassin. The rooms (pavilions) are large and beautifully furnished and offer outstanding accommodation. The service is attentive without being unctious. The main hotel restaurant is theatrical and wonderful; the pool restaurant is excellent; the Thai restaurant was OK. In the end of course it is breathtakingly expensive but you cease to care. We can't wait to go back.

This was our first trip to an Aman property, although our expectations had been set by exceptional experiences in Oberoi properties in India. We were expecting similar levels of service and facitilties, albeit at a signficantly higher price. Our one night dinner, bed and breakfast stay cost over $1000 and in retrospect it wasn't particularly worth it. The Amanjena architecture was fit for purpose, but not inspiring - Disney in Morocco. We had a quite nice room close to the neighbouring golf course, which was suitably private (we were on honeymoon). Service was pretty good and the manager made a point of introducing himself on arrival. There were little 'freebies' - almond milk for us as honeymooners, wine and nibbles in the room (all guests), complimentary mint tea by the pool, and a free shopping basket for the ladies. However, don't forget you're paying for it. The food here was very good and I have no complaints about the quality, service, or price of that. However, we were amazed when an extra 10% service charge was added on to the room charge (in addition to the 10% tax which we can understand) 'for tips'; surely when you're paying $850 per night they can afford to pay their staff well? And leave tips as a discretion? The Amanjena is nice but compared to similar Oberoi properties I'd take the Oberoi option every time, as more authentic and reasonable options.

Now I understand why some fortunate travelers are Aman Resorts addicts. If Amanjena is any indication, the world of Aman must be one of perfection. If you have the dough, go! If you want to combine ultimate luxury; an exquisite resort; gracious but not unctious service; the best dates and olives I've eaten; among the best Thai food I've eaten; huge private enclosed rooms/houses, many with private pools (and a huge gorgeously heated resort pool); go there now! With good connections to Marrakech, a long week-end from the eastern US/Canada is feasible. You can combine the resort aspect (in addition to swimming, onsite golf and tennis; other sports nearby)with unending shopping, visits to cultural and botanical sites and other wonderful excursions (see my review of ultralighting in Marrakech). Note that Amanjena is an easy 15 minutes taxi ride from the center of Marrakech.

This place is perfection. The rooms are beatiful and spacious with huge outdoor space. The service is unbelivable. Every detail is taking care of. The food is amazing - we ate dinner here 5 or 6 nights and lunch almost everyday - never grew tired of the choices and the quality is top notch. We eat out in NYC all the time and the food here is as good as it gets. What else - nothing...if you can handle the price, its worth every penny. Relaxing, beautiful and terrific.

Unbelievable architecture, great restaurants, the most pampering service....just beyond my (very high) expectations from every point of view... Pure Aman Resorts style even if far away from Aman's natural home in Thailand and Bali! Stay in a Pool Suite, you will hardly leave your room during your stay...