Villa Makassar

Located at the southern end of the medina, the Villa Makassar, from the outside, looks remarkably understated, with a big wooden entry door on an otherwise faded-looking building. Once inside, however, the scene changes. A riad, or interior courtyard garden with high white walls and archways, creates a peaceful atmosphere for the small number of guests who stay here. Off to one side, a dark lounge with contemporary, low-to-the-floor furniture provides a space to cool off and relax on warm days, with shelves full of design books and magazines in French and English. There's also an equally elegant but brighter smoking room with leather sofas and a long table that's decorated with old advertising prints, and a rooftop terrace with plenty of shaded areas and views of the surrounding medina. The overall vibe is romantic, and while the Villa Makassar could suit  business travelers wanting something low-key in the medina, the hotel is more aimed at  leisure travelers in search of elegance and intimacy.

The Villa Makassar is located in the less-congested southern end of the medina (it's actually possible to arrive at the front door in a car). It's near the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, with its age-old spice market, and is about a 25-minute walk to the Jaama el Fina. Parking, a rarity in the medina, is available in front of the hotel. Menara International Airport is about a 15-minute drive from the hotel, and the train station, in Gueliz, is about a 10-minute drive. 

Each of the 10 rooms at the Villa Makassar has its own decor. The Rousseau has a sub-Saharan African feel, with dark-wood furnishings on white marble floors, brown walls, a faux zebra skin rug, and numerous statues and paintings evoking the cultures of the continent. The compact Brondy has a bed and a separate desk area, as well as a luxurious bathroom with green-and-brown marbled walls and counters, and a huge walk-in shower to match. The bright and spacious Rhulmann has hardwood floors and matching shelving units plus accents and  a wall painted in a pale blue-gray-aqua tone offset by polished knotty dark-wood furniture. All rooms come with minibars, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi,  and some have capsule coffeemakers. The Grand Luxury Suite and Parental Suite have fireplaces.

As with other small hotels in the medina, the outdoor pool is tiny, but it is excellent for cooling down -- it is shaded by the hotel's interior walls. One of the hotel's best features is its spa, which includes a traditional hammam, a huge whirlpool hot tub (both require a fee) and a variety of treatments ranging from massages to body scrubs. Facials, pedicures, and waxing services are also available. 

The hotel's restaurant is elegant and retro, with Art Deco furniture including striped upholstered chairs and seemingly Gatsby-inspired artwork on the walls. Some outdoor seating is also available in a semi-shaded area for guests who don't mind the heat. The rooms come with breakfast.