Restuarant Recommendations: Moroccan Restaurants

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Miguel Guedes de Sousa

Here are the top Moroccan restaurants within Marrakech based on our guests’ experiences. To avoid any hassles, especially during peak season, please call us ahead of time so we can help with your reservations:

  • Riad Kniza: Located in the Medina offers traditional Moroccan home cooking.  Mohammed and his family will be the perfect hosts for an inspiring evening. Good option for lunch in a typical Riad.
  • Le Tobsil: Lovely and romantic restaurant serving Moroccan set menus. Closed Tuesdays.
  • El Fassia: Situated in the new town, El Fassia breaks the mold in several ways: it is an all lady kitchen team, it kept the traditional flavour of the Moroccan dishes…all of that makes it one of the best à la carte Moroccan restaurant in the city.
  • Dar Yacout: Marrakech’s most famous restaurant, a true institution, they serve abundant set menus. Closed Mondays.
  • Le Palais Souleiman: This magnificent palace managed by Driss, house of a former Vizir of Marrakech, dating from the end of the 19th century, serves an excellent traditional Moroccan cuisine in a unique ambiance. Closed Mondays.
  • Our Tent: A magical experience in our traditional tent in the midst of our olive garden, enjoy the most unforgettable Moroccan dining experience, entertainment with dancers and musicians while you taste the aromas of a sheesha and the flavour of Moroccan cuisine.
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Restaurant Recommendations: In Amanjena

Posted on November 11, 2010 by Miguel Guedes de Sousa

Here are our recommendations for bars and restaurants within Amanjena. To avoid any disappointments, especially during the high season, we recommend you contact us beforehand so we can make reservations for you:

  • The restaurant: Offers Moroccan & Spanish home-style cuisine at its best with among others, a selection of decadent tapas and copious paellas. Soft lighting lends warmth to the generously proportioned room. A scalloped onyx fountain rimmed by olive trees climbs to a commanding central skylight. Moucharabieh-wood screens play at the higher reaches. The tinted plâtre ciselé walls are the colour of honeyed eggshell and chiselled with ancient Berber designs. Banquettes and tables dressed in white cloth, pink rose petals and thuja-wood settings hug the walls. During the summer months, dinner seating is moved outdoors.
  • The Thai: The Thai Restaurant, alongside the swimming pool, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Authentic Thai cuisine is featured for lunch and dinner, transporting you to the faraway Siamese shores! Spicy salads, as well as soups and curries tempt the palate and are enhanced by authentic ingredients flown in from Bangkok. The light-filled room features banks of glass doors and coral-tadlekt walls spiked with old Moroccan leather horse saddles.
  • The Pool Terrace: Open for breakfast and lunch and orchestrated by Chahid and his team, the terrace overlooks the pool and the adjacent Amelkis golf course and offers a variety of light International lunch dishes and a selection of Thai specialities.
  • The Caidal tent: A magical experience in our traditional tent in the midst of our olive garden, enjoy the most unforgettable Moroccan dining experience, entertainment with dancers and musicians while you taste the aromas of a sheesha and the flavour of Moroccan cuisine.
  • The Gazebo: Located in our Minzah (or Gazebo), we offer you a unique dining experience to explore the variety and the subtle flavors of the Moroccan cuisine. You will be greeted with a glass of champagne and serenaded with the sound of the luth, a typical Moroccan guitar.
  • The Bar: Ideal for a pre-dinner or an enjoyable “Tapas moment” with friends or family. Youssef will welcome you and have you try some of his delicious cocktails or long drinks.

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Amanjena – Paradise in the Red City

Posted on May 6, 2010 by Miguel Guedes de Sousa

Amanjena (“peaceful paradise”) is the perfect place to spend your vacation if you are after the romantic and the exotic. With its gardens of olive, citrus, and date palm trees, true Moroccan-style architecture and furnishings, and magnificent pavilions, you will take the memory of Amanjena with you forever. Found in the outskirts of Marrakech, the kingdom’s Red City, hundreds of guests have found sanctuary in this luxurious yet welcoming resort-hotel over the past decade, since its doors were first opened. Offering you diverse accommodation choices, Amanjena is clearly more than a resort and more than a hotel. Guests may book any of the available Pavilions and Maisons, which may be arranged to come with pools, expansive gardens, and gazebos for your viewing pleasure and private use. Outside, be charmed by Amanjena’s outdoor heated pool laden with glittering green tiles and its patios decked with chaise lounges. Or if you are looking to spend some time in blissful solitude, you can go to the Health and Beauty Center or the resort’s elegant library. Dining at Amanjena is bound to be another unforgettable experience for you. The Restaurant, the Thai Restaurant, the Pool Terrace, and the Caidal Tent offer treats for the eyes and the palates. Guests may also enjoy private dining as they wish.

Posted in Amanjena Articles, Miguel Guedes de Sousa | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Amanjena – A Reflection of Marrakech

Posted on April 7, 2010 by Miguel Guedes de Sousa

Amanjena is the perfect place to stay in if you are looking to feel and taste the culture of Marrakech first hand. It is an oasis in the city that effectively combines modern luxury, personalized hospitality, and all the rich colors and tones that make up Moroccan culture and history. Your trip is guaranteed to be most memorable with all the offerings and services that welcome weary travelers to Amanjena. Whether you are on a business or a leisure trip, it feels like you are coming right home the very moment you behold the Entrance Colonnade, tastefully decorated with lanterns, rich-colored curtains, fireplace lounges, and a circular banquette.

Eight of Amanjena’s 32 pavilions come with private pools and extended private gardens. There are also pavilions that come available with a pillared gazebo, loungers, and a fountain. The two-storey maisons at Amanjena reflect a true Moroccan townhouse with marble-pillared bathrooms, private pools, comfortable living areas, and private entrances to the main courtyard. All these and more should send anyone who’s planning to go to Marrakech hurrying to secure bookings for his trip. Accommodations may be limited in Amanjena, which actually adds to its charm. The resort also offers guided tours for guests who want to explore nearby temples, villages, and shops.

—————–

About Miguel Guedes de Sousa

Miguel Guedes de Sousa is the General Manager of Amanjena, an Aman Resorts property located in Marrakech, Morocco with 48 suites and 22 villas. An expert in boutique hotels and luxury villas real estate management, he has 18 years of hotel experience. He currently writes about  life, travel, events and everything else in between in his personal blog Miguel Guedes de Sousa.

Posted in Amanjena Articles | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Photoblog now up and running!

Posted on April 4, 2010 by Miguel Guedes de Sousa

I’ve recently created a photoblog here: http://photoblog.miguelguedesdesousa.com/

This is where I’ll be featuring beautiful scenes from Amanjena, Marrakech and Morocco. Hope you can visit that as well to enjoy the sights we have to offer.

Thanks and do keep visiting my site for more updates.

Posted in Miguel Guedes de Sousa | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Discover the Red City

Posted on March 29, 2010 by Miguel Guedes de Sousa

Thanks to Amanjena’s first-class accommodation and superior customer service, guests are given an ample appreciation of what Morocco has to offer. One of the best ways to explore its interesting culture is by journeying in the astounding city of Marrakech, also known as the red-ochre city. It is divided into two towns: the old Medina and the contemporary Gueliz.

The Colours of Marrakech Tour serves as a great introduction to the city’s past and present: the vibrant Agdal gardens, the 12th-century mausoleum and mosque serving as the king’s new residence, and the Menara gardens’ beautiful water basin. A bird’s eye view of the entire city is a must-see, so are the emerald bamboo and the diverse flora at the Yves-Saint Laurent Majorelle Garden.

The Authentic Medina Tour shows an ancient town brimming with activity. Visitors are taken for a stroll around the tanneries, a moukef or a gathering of laborers, foundouks where merchants once stayed, and traditional bakeries where people bake their dough up to this day. The walk then continues to the former hospital called Dar Bellarj and on to the 16th-century Medersa Ben Youseff, the largest theological college back in ancient Morroco. A visit to the Musee de Marrakech follows where rare masterpieces are displayed, then the tour ends at the Jemaa El Fna Square.

————-

About Miguel Guedes de Sousa

Miguel Guedes de Sousa is the General Manager of Amanjena in Marrakech, Morocco. Miguel is an expert in boutique hotels and luxury villas real estate management, he has 18 years of hotel experience. He currently writes about  life, travel, events and everything else in between in his personal blog Miguel Guedes de Sousa.

Posted in Amanjena Articles | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Silent Sanctuary

Posted on March 23, 2010 by Miguel Guedes de Sousa

A vacation is a getaway, an escape from it all. The bustling metro, stress-inducing work, and the utterly-boring daily grind surrender a soul to exhaustion. Thus, the craving for a much-deserved break needs to be satisfied.

It’s time to travel to undiscovered landscapes in search of the perfect retreat. Amanresorts provides a ticket to serenity in a place where intimacy is top priority. Found all over Asia, Europe, and the Americas, each resort understands a traveler’s yearning for exotic cultures, the high regard for first-class pampering, and just an overall admiration for all things splendid.

Amanpuri, the first Aman resort, welcome vacationers in January 1988 with 40 rooms. Flashforward to 14 years and an additional 12 havens later, Amanresorts still hold the belief that less is more, made evident by opening a total of 430 rooms. It prides itself in a staff highly-trained to attend to every guest’s fancy. After all, this is what Amanresorts is after-the unmatched, customized treatment it successfully delivers.

Paradise can be found in every resort, unique in terms of scenery, theme, and experience. Whether in France, the Philippines, or in the US, guests can be guaranteed an exceptional stay, a limitless experience that surely lasts a lifetime.

———————

About Miguel Guedes de Sousa

Miguel Guedes de Sousa is the General Manager of  the Marrakech Morroco Aman Resorts property Amanjena. It has 48 suites and 22 villas. An expert in boutique hotels and luxury villas real estate management, he has 18 years of hotel experience. He currently writes about  life, travel, events and everything else in between in his personal blog Miguel Guedes de Sousa.

Posted in Amanresorts Group | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Amanjena: Moroccan Paradise

Posted on March 19, 2010 by Miguel Guedes de Sousa

Tucked away from the pulsating city of Marrakech is a paradise resort built in the name of luxury. Amanjena, one of the world-renowned Amanresorts’ jewels, is composed of 18 air-conditioned Pavilions guaranteed to please guests with the highest standards. Each consists of a bedroom/living area, a bathroom, a dressing area, and to top it all off, a private courtyard furnished with a gazebo, a sofa, and a dining area. The living area is crowned by a towering, domed ceiling, a king-sized platform bed, and an open fireplace, plus furnishings such as a daybed where one can lounge on lazy afternoons. Guests can enjoy a soothing bath in a nature-inspired bathroom equipped with a tub and magnificent green Moroccan marble.

Of the 18, six are Bassin Pavilions, located right in the heart of Amanjena.  Eight Pool Pavilions include a terrace that opens up to crystal waters, making for a picturesque morning view.

An upstairs master bedroom and bathroom sets apart the two-bedroom Maisons and Maisons Jardin. The main floor features a connecting bedroom and bathroom, a living and dining area, plus a private swimming pool and a gazebo. La Maison Jardin Poivrier and La Maison Jardin Palmier come with a stunning garden and an outdoor fireplace. And if that’s not enough, a personal butler is part of the package, too.

Experience Moroccan paradise at Amanjena, where luxury is brought to a whole new level.

———-

About Miguel Guedes de Sousa

Miguel Guedes de Sousa is the General Manager of Amanjena, an Aman Resorts property located in Marrakech, Morocco with 48 suites and 22 villas. Guedes is an expert in boutique hotels and luxury villas real estate management, with 18 years of hotel experience. He currently writes about  life, travel, events and everything else in between in his personal blog Miguel Guedes de Sousa.

Posted in Amanjena Articles | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Unfolding Historic Marrakech

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Miguel Guedes de Sousa

The acclaimed Amanjena boasts a roster of tours that are authentic, unique, and can only be enjoyed through a luxurious stay at the resort. Guests can witness Marrakech’s history unfold right before their eyes in tours that tell a past long been gone but will never be forgotten.

Absorb the richness of the city through the Marrakech Through the Ages Tour, an exploration of significant palaces, tombs, a mosque, and a museum. The itinerary starts at the intricately carved gate of Bab Agnaou, leading to the 16th-century Saadien tombs that carry some of the finest archetypes of Moroccan Andalusian decorative art.

The next stop-El Badia Palace-which dates back to the 12th century bears traces of opulence evident in its vast ruins. Handicraft and spice markets are found at the Jewish quarters that lead to the 19th-century Bahia Palace. The official residence of the French governor in the colonial period now provides a striking contrast to the noise of the outside streets, what with its impeccable architecture standing the tests of time.

Lastly, just 200 meters away is Dar Si Said, now known as the Museum of Moroccan Art where an exquisite collection of jewelry, carpets, pottery, leatherwork, and oil lamps can be seen.

Posted in Amanjena Articles | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Amanjena: Where Beauty Abounds

Posted on March 11, 2010 by Miguel Guedes de Sousa

The Amanjena resort is not only coveted for its impressive display of the splendor that is Morocco. It is also known for its superb ability to bring out the unique beauty in its valued customers. The resort spa, called the Health Center, includes five treatment rooms that include traditional Moroccan steam rooms also known as hammams. Each room lures guests into a de-stressing experience that marries beauty and wellness.

Making use of only 100% natural products are the Purity treatments. The Seaweed Wrap detoxifies while it softens the skin and enhances cell regeneration. To purify the skin, The Spa Ritual Hammam exfoliates through the application of Moroccan black soap, lavender, rosewater, and clay mask. The Cleansing Massage benefits the liver and the kidneys. It also helps reduce water retention and cellulite in the body. The Amanjena Facial rejuvenates with rich minerals, plant extracts, and organic essential oils, while the Traditional Exfoliation is a natural body scrub made from sesame seeds and Argan oil.

Performed by highly-skilled stylists and therapists, hair, waxing, and nail treatments are all done in an area where hygiene is strictly observed. Henna tattoo is also available for guests up for some intricate skin art. Harmony and originality are perfectly combined with the Health Center’s Beauty treatments.

————

About Miguel Guedes de Sousa

Miguel Guedes de Sousa is the General Manager of Amanjena, a property located in Marrakech, Morocco with 48 suites and 22 villas. An expert in boutique hotels and luxury villas real estate management. Miguel Guedes de Sousa has 18 years of hotel experience. He currently writes about  life, travel, events and everything else in between in his personal blog Miguel Guedes de Sousa.

Posted in Amanjena Articles, Miguel Guedes de Sousa | Tagged , | 1 Comment