El Fenn

You can enter (or exit) El Fenn through their gift shop; or through the deceptively discrete entrance off a side street at the edge of the city’s ancient medina

El Fenn means “Art house” in Arabic, and the owners are avid art enthusiasts. You’ll find artwork spread throughout the hotel, focusing on African artists, such as photography by Leila Alaoui. The first seven Marrakech art biennales were run from El Fenn

The hotel’s resident cat was so serene by the lobby fireplace we wondered if it was real — it was

El Fenn has transformed so many times since I first visited it in 2009 that it was hardly recognizable. In this central courtyard, a generous afternoon tea is served every day and offers a lovely welcome into the space

The colors and exquisite design create a feast for the senses. Tadelakt lime plaster many of the bedrooms

Each of the 42 bedrooms has its own character and offers a dramatic paean to color

The bathrooms are conceived with as much commitment to color and care as the rooms

A generous portion of salts and dried roses can be found next to the bathtubs. The soap smelt so good we took it home

Unwinding at the end of a busy day in the medina by a fireplace was a dream

Nine riads have been joined together since El Fenn opened in 2004, creating a labyrinthine design. El Fenn works with local artisans, and everything made for the hotel comes from Morocco

I loved the way the light and shadows fell through the spaces

There are exquisite design details around every corner

The hotel is full of nooks and crannies that invite you to read, think or meet a friend in

Or play a game of chess!

El Fenn is famous for its rooftop, which welcomes non-residents for food and drinks. On the roof, you will find a bar, restaurant, and pool

The rooftop views span the city to the Atlas Mountains beyond

The roof offers a nice spot to have breakfast in the morning. I appreciated that there were no plastic water bottles in the hotel — instead, you find glass bottles of filtered water throughout. All food is locally sourced and organic, where possible, from local co-operative farms, and the hotel operates a no-food waste policy

We enjoyed a hammam in the spa — which was beautiful and simple. The spa also has a heated pool

It’s a family-run joint: the co-owner Vanessa’s son Louis looked after us beautifully. This tattoo reflects the owner Vanessa’s motto for life!