Shane Fonner

La Sultana Marrakech

  • Where:
  • Why:An inspirational trip through the souks of the medina.
  • When:April 2018
  • Who:My designer wife and I.
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La Sultana Marrakech Open air courtyard in our quiet corner of the hotel.

Open air courtyard in our quiet corner of the hotel.

La Sultana Marrakech The chilly dipping pool and the entrance to the Panthere den.

The chilly dipping pool and the entrance to the Panthere den.

La Sultana Marrakech As always, a casual kaftan for a (not so) casual courtyard.

As always, a casual kaftan for a (not so) casual courtyard.

La Sultana Marrakech Key to the kingdom.

Key to the kingdom.

La Sultana Marrakech The opulent, temperate, and appropriately-themed Panthere suite.

The opulent, temperate, and appropriately-themed Panthere suite.

La Sultana Marrakech The Panthere theme continued in the traditionally-styled bathing suite.

The Panthere theme continued in the traditionally-styled bathing suite.

La Sultana Marrakech A very strange monkey head-as-spout for an oversized water carrying vessel.

A very strange monkey head-as-spout for an oversized water carrying vessel.

La Sultana Marrakech The main courtyard features the placid pool and overhanging florals.

The main courtyard features the placid pool and overhanging florals.

La Sultana Marrakech Quiet corners alongside the pool and dining area.

Quiet corners alongside the pool and dining area.

La Sultana Marrakech The Sub-Saharan African themed salon on the second floor.

The Sub-Saharan African themed salon on the second floor.

La Sultana Marrakech The Berber tent on the roof which houses the billiards table. A special touch.

The Berber tent on the roof which houses the billiards table. A special touch.

La Sultana Marrakech The ornate interiors of one of the several riad-like courtyards.

The ornate interiors of one of the several riad-like courtyards.

La Sultana Marrakech Le Jardin, a verdant oasis for traditional Moroccan cuisine.

Le Jardin, a verdant oasis for traditional Moroccan cuisine.

La Sultana Marrakech Peak tourist on the roof.

Peak tourist on the roof.

La Sultana Marrakech Day at the Museum. Peak tourist Part 2.

Day at the Museum. Peak tourist Part 2.

La Sultana Marrakech Ornate window treatment in one of the tucked away salons.

Ornate window treatment in one of the tucked away salons.

La Sultana Marrakech The rooftop at dusk with a view on the Mosque of the Kasbah next door.

The rooftop at dusk with a view on the Mosque of the Kasbah next door.

La Sultana Marrakech View onto the streets of the medina from the rooftop.

View onto the streets of the medina from the rooftop.

La Sultana Marrakech Elegant touches, including freshly cut roses, are scattered throughout the property.

Elegant touches, including freshly cut roses, are scattered throughout the property.

La Sultana Marrakech I love a good cactus.

I love a good cactus.

La Sultana Marrakech Thoughtful details of the room's exterior.

Thoughtful details of the room's exterior.

La Sultana Marrakech An ornamental detail in one of the intimate salons.

An ornamental detail in one of the intimate salons.

Highs & Lows

  • Location – Nestled in the casbah, just next to the Saadian tombs, the hotel is just a short walk to Place Jemaa and the center of the action.

  • The Rooftop – Due to its proximity to the Koutoubia and the historical Mosque of the Kasbah, the rooftop offers a dramatic view over the medina skyline.

  • The Spa – One of the best reviewed spas in Marrakech, the traditional Moroccan hammam and spa area offers numerous services to relax the body and soul.

  • The Staff – Excellent service is pervasive in Marrakech, but the staff at La Sultana is exceptional throughout your stay. Whether its offering bottles of water throughout the day or keeping the rooftop bar open to satiate your thirst for booze, the staff is ideally attentive to your needs, respectful, and make you feel really special.

  • Privacy – If I were a famous person, I’d stay here. The honeycomb-like interiors offer numerous nooks and crannies where you can feel free from prying eyes.

  • Design – The hotel is an immaculate vision when you enter the slim opening from the hectic streets of the Kasbah and it’s market culture. Once you pass the precipice, you enter a calming and soothing path, lined with latterns and carpets, towards the golden doors of La Sultana and its cavernous grounds.

The Barometer

  • Design

  • Website

  • Environmental Consciousness

  • Night's Sleep

  • Service

  • Amenities

  • Takeable Treats

  • Refer a Friend

  • Overall Value

  • Life Changing

Total: 50/50

Important Bits

  • Type

    Boutique Luxury Five Star Gem

  • Vibe

    Historical, brilliant courtyards and private oases.

  • Location

    In the Kasbah, baby, right in the thick of things and just a short walk from the beautiful chaos of Place Jemaa el Fna… Luxuriously expensive.

  • Rooms

    28

  • Music

    An interesting mix of jazz, classical, and global…

  • Year Opened

    1998

  • Designed By

    Not sure, but they nailed it.

  • Health & Wellness

    Yes to both – the pool in particular sits in a sun-filled courtyard and is draped with colorful flowers hanging above from the balustrade…

  • Restaurant

    Yes, a remarkable one.

  • Bar

    Yes, on a rooftop with a splendid view…

  • Minibar

    Yes – the Casablanca beer is a particular favorite as it is absolutely one of the finest exhibitions of branding I’ve ever seen. I want one now.

  • Children

    I’d leave them at home, but that’s always my mood.

  • Price

    Luxuriously expensive.

  • Website

    Visit website

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