Sirayane Boutique Hotel & Spa

From the enormous wooden front door to the shape and materials of the buildings, Sirayane Boutique Hotel & Spa resembles a sleek, modern take on traditional Moroccan desert architecture, an impression only accentuated by the acres of palm tree and desert plant filled gardens. Step into the airy, winding lobby lounge, though, and it's all contemporary luxury, with understated clay-colored walls, clean-lined gray sofas and chairs, modern art, geometric bookshelves, and panoramic windows. The restaurant and bars continue this understated, earth-toned theme, with pops of red and purple lending whimsy. The terraces and poolside loungers are where guests tend to congregate -- most are couples and friends looking for a relaxing, low-key getaway. Families are welcome, but the grown-up feel of the resort doesn't especially cater to children.

Sirayane Boutique Hotel & Spa is set on several manicured acres in an underdeveloped area near several other luxury hotels about 15-minutes driving from the Medina. The Atlas Mountains loom in the distance, guaranteeing impressive views throughout the resort. There's little to do in the area, but the hotel offers a free shuttle to and from the Medina six times daily (every two hours), and the concierge can help arrange excursions. The airport is a little under 10-minutes away by car; the hotel can arrange transportation for a fee.

The 28 rooms at the Sirayane Boutique Hotel & Spa range from the regular guest rooms in the main building to stand-alone Villa Suites with private gardens and pools. All have the same understated, clean-lined modern style, with cool stone floors, a natural wood wall, fire-toned modern Moroccan artwork, limestone- and slate-tiled bathrooms, and designer bedding. Private balconies or patios of some sort are standard. Lower-tier rooms have stylish, cozy sitting areas, while the suites include loungers in their gardens and Deluxe Suites have separate lounge/bar areas. Suites include bathtubs in addition to regular rooms' walk-in rainfall showers. Each room has a flat-screen TV, DVD player, minibar, safe, and bathrobes.

At the heart of the Sirayane Boutique Hotel & Spa's expansive grounds is the large pool complex, lined with palm trees and umbrella-shaded loungers. The luxury spa -- with a traditional hammam, as well as a full menu of traditional spa and beauty treatments -- is just as impressive. There are also two bars (one with a bulbous, modern pool table) and a restaurant serving gourmet Moroccan and international cuisine; all three of these look out over the pool and gardens toward the Atlas Mountains. A buffet-style breakfast is included in all rates, and other partial-board rate options are available. The hotel has a small gym, a tennis court, jogging track, a library with books and DVDs to borrow, a computer for guests to use, an attentive concierge service, and free Wi-Fi.