Palais Namaskar

Moroccan, Asian, and contemporary styles combine in Imaad Rahmouni's design of Palais Namaskar. Set on 12 acres of impeccably landscaped and styled property, the hotel possesses a vibe that's private and Zen-like. Guests come to Palais Namaskaar to be pampered and the process begins before they even check in. They can arrive via the hotel's private jet and be picked up at the Marrakech airport in a shiny new BMW. The hotel is a 30-minute trek from the snake charmers and souks of the Medina but travelers checking in at Palais Namaskaar choose the hotel for its away-from-the-fray scene.

Guests can wander the expansive grounds without feeling crowded. The property is designed to encourage reflection with gravel paths weaving through gardens and green lawns strewn with oversized day beds, hammocks, and giant lavender-colored pillows. Wide passageways of marble bordered by Moroccan lanterns seem to float over breadths of calm reflecting pools. Moorish arches dripping with vines of white bougainvillea frame views of the Atlas Mountains.

The oversized rooms, suites, villas, and lavish Palaces were designed for enjoying, finished with designer furnishings, private pools, and butler service. Three opulent restaurants and three bars, including one up on the roof, keep guests occupied and entertained. When they tire of the cuisine and serenity, there's always a car at the ready to take them into the bustle of Marrakech's old city.

The hotel is located in La Palmeraie, a quiet, upscale enclave nestled between the Atlas Mountains and the Djebilet Hills, a 25-minute drive from the old city. There's little within walking distance, but car service is easy to arrange.

• 15-minute drive to the Royal and Amelkis Golf Clubs
• 20-minute drive to Badi Palace
• 25-minute drive to Jemaa el-Fnaa
• 30-minute drive from Marrakech Menara Airport
• 30-minute drive to Terres d'Amanar
• 2-hour, 30-minute drive to Essaouira
• 2-hour, 50-minute drive to Oualidia

The hotel's 41 rooms, suites, villas, and palaces are arranged along waterways throughout the 15-acre resort. Deluxe rooms are spacious with king-size beds footed by sofas and terraces with heated plunge pools. Suites are located in private pool enclaves, near the restaurant, or in quieter locations. Villas and Palaces have a residential feel, offering multiple bedrooms, private pools, walled gardens, large dining tables, and 24-hour butler service.

Designed to follow the principles of Feng Shui, the rooms incorporate the elements of fire, water, wood, metal, and earth. Rooms feature fireplaces, freestanding soaking tubs in the bathrooms, heated plunge pools or private pools, calming water features, lush landscaping, and private terraces with plush day beds and billowy sheer curtains.

Unlike many hotels and riads in Marrakech, Palais Namaskar's rooms lack the traditional (red) color and decor and instead use a calming palette of neutral and earthy colors. Brown carpets and walls, cream-colored sofas with lavender accent pillows, blond wood furniture, and thick drapes patterned in mushroom and black. Bathrooms are spacious, airy, and spa-like with pale marble tiles, double vanities with raised-bowl sinks, oversized showers with rain-shower heads, and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in ample natural light.

Individual rooms, suites, villas, and palaces are spacious and packed with modern amenities making it tempting to stay in, but the hotel also offers multiple reasons to explore. The huge, rectangular pool is surrounded by giant daybeds, and adjacent to a seasonal lunch restaurant with shaded outdoor seating framed by dramatic stone columns adorned with gauzy drapery. 

Other dining options on-site include a gourmet French-Moroccan restaurant Le Namaskar, a Thai restaurant, and an elegant tea lounge decorated with Murano glass chandeliers and a large fireplace. Private dining can also be arranged anywhere on the property, such as picnics in the gardens, candlelit dinners by the lake, or meals on guests' private terraces. A trendy rooftop lounge serves a light sushi menu and has panoramic views.

Spa Namaskar is a tranquil space with treatment rooms with private outdoor terraces, hammams, and a spa menu that incorporates Aromatherapy Associates and Ila organic and natural products. The hotel also offers a beauty salon, and a fitness center with a calendar of classes.