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El Fenn
- Where:
- Why:For friendship and color research
- When:December 2022
- Who:Girl friends and I
"An ode to color and design in the heart of Marrakech"
AT A GLANCE: Located in the medina, El Fenn is an art-focused haven in the beautifully vibrant Marrakech. The hotel is a design lover’s paradise, boasting 42 rooms, each as colorful as the next and decorated with a keen eye for detail. We love that the hotel features local artisans and their craftsmanship while also being plastic-free. With two restaurants, a cocktail bar on the rooftop, three swimming pools, and a spa with an essential Moroccan hammam, El Fenn ensures you have a relaxing time even while being at the center of it all.
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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!
Highs & Lows
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Incredible design: color lights up every corner, and the place is full of artistic touches
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The roof has a spectacular view across the city toward the Atlas Mountains
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The staff were super helpful and friendly
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There are lots of nooks to sit and read or chat at El Fenn, and it offers a beautiful oasis in the busyness of the medina
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Beautiful baths come with an abundance of salts and beautiful soaps
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As a vegan, there were limited dining options
Important Bits
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Type
Lifestyle Hotel
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Vibe
Quiet and high-art
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Location
Super central, right in the medina — though you wouldn't guess it from the quiet calm inside
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Rooms
42
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Pre-Arrival & Arrival Experience
Friendly and easy communication
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Future Forward
Plastic-free — water is filtered. El Fenn is co-owned by gallerist, curator, and founding president of the Marrakech Biennale, Vanessa Branson, and so the biennale and presence of art pervades the space
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Music
Calm and quiet with the occasional chatter from the medina
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Year Opened
2004
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Designed By
Renowned Moroccan architect Amine Kabbaj added his Midas touch to the project, and Moroccan craftsmen were employed to refurbish El Fenn
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Health & Wellness
There is a spa, sauna, and three swimming pools
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Food
There are two restaurants: Moroccan and fusion-Western
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Bar, Events & Nightlife
A rooftop cocktail bar gives a great view over the city
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Minibar & Retail
We had everything we needed to make tea, eat fruit, and drink wine from the minibar
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Accessibility
The terrace and ground floor are wheelchair accessible, there is a lift, and some rooms are wheelchair friendly. Please request from hotel at the time of booking
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Pet Friendly
Small pets and dogs are allowed, but please notify ahead of time
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Children
Welcome! Extra beds are available for rooms and there are two family suites
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Price
Not cheap but good value for the offering
- Tel.
- Website
El Fenn
El Fenn Hotel, Restaurant and Rooftop Bar, Marrakesh, Morocco
Fez medina
Touareg, Marrakesh, Morocco
Berber Lodge
Berber Lodge, route de barrage، Marrakesh, Morocco
High Atlas Mountain
High Atlas Mountains, Valley High Atlas Mountains, Imlil, Morocco
In the Area
Hotel Location El Fenn Hotel, Restaurant and Rooftop Bar, Marrakesh, Morocco
El Fenn is situated in the heart of the Marrakech medina. It provides a quiet oasis in the hectic beauty of the market.
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