Zalagh Kasbah Hotel and Spa

A row of young palms leads the way to the entrance of the Zalagh Kasbah Hotel and Spa, built in the style of a traditional kasbah and opened in 2010. Stepping through a pair of sliding glass and heavy wooden ornamental doors, guests will find themselves in a spacious, airy lobby with all the trappings of a North African palace -- tadelakt plaster pillars, Berber-style low-profile couches, and wispy drapery. An atrium rises to a lovely crafted centerpiece ceiling carved from cedar wood with elaborate traditional design, while swaths of polished marble floor are covered with huge Moroccan rugs and traditional furnishings. Despite all these authentic touches, the ambience remains that of a Moroccan-themed modern resort hotel, and its clientele leans toward package vacationers and large groups. 

The hotel is located off a highway south of the medina, opposite the vast Agdal Gardens. While there's a shopping mall, cinema, and nightclub nearby, there's little else for tourists aside from the gardens. It about a 15-minute drive to the bustling souks of the medina -- the hotel operates a free all-day shuttle service to Jemaa el Fna square -- and about a 10-minute drive to Marrakech Menara International Airport. 

The hotel has 344 clean and well-maintained rooms (including 17 suites and seven duplexes), all of which are decorated in a modern style with plenty of traditional Moroccan touches, such as ornate coving, filigree lighting, and arched doorways. Sliding doors open to furnished balconies overlooking the gardens or the swimming pool, while bathrooms are finished in traditional polished tadelakt plaster, and include shower/tub combos and wall-mounted hairdryers. Other amenities include mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs, though there's no Wi-Fi or tea- or coffee-making facilities. Soundproofing between rooms could also be better.

The hotel's main feature is its huge outdoor swimming pool, which is lined with loungers and includes a separate kids' pool -- the pools are unheated, however, so the water can be very cold. There is also a heated indoor pool, which is part of the hotel's spa that also includes a marble-lined hammam steam bath and a range of massage and beauty treatments. An extensive buffet breakfast with hot and cold items is served in the basement Restaurant Agdal, while food and drink is also available at the hotel's Berber Cafe, poolside snack bar, and Salon Marocain bar. Free Wi-Fi is available around the reception area, though the signal can be touch and go. The hotel runs a free, frequent shuttle service to and from the medina.