Amanjena

Amanjena, a Michelin Key Two-Keys property in Marrakech, Morocco, is widely celebrated as a "peaceful paradise" offering an exceptional luxury experience. Guests consistently praise its stunning architecture, impeccable service, and serene ambiance, making it a standout destination for discerning travelers.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Amanjena is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "amazing" and "faultless." It's considered one of the most beautiful and exclusive hotels in Marrakech, delivering an understated yet thoroughly impressive contemporary luxury. The resort's ability to transport guests into a different, tranquil world is a recurring theme in reviews.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several aspects that make Amanjena exceptional:

• Design & Architecture: The hotel, originally designed by Ed Tuttle, showcases a distinct Moorish influence with beautiful architecture, earthy colors, marble columns, reflection pools, and washed clay walls. It's described as a "Moorish pink palace" that pays homage to North Africa's beauty.
• Service: The service is frequently lauded as attentive, personalized, and "impeccable," with staff often anticipating guests' needs.
• Ambiance & Seclusion: Amanjena provides a calm, peaceful, and relaxed atmosphere, allowing guests to feel secluded and often like the only ones on the property, despite its 13 acres. The scent of orange blossom and jasmine throughout the resort is also a memorable highlight.
• Amenities: The property boasts two clay tennis courts, a well-equipped spa with a hammam, a fitness center, and a main swimming pool, with many units also featuring private pools. An adjacent golf course (Amelkis course) is also a significant draw. Complimentary afternoon tea is also a delightful amenity.

3. Room Quality

Amanjena's accommodation consists of spacious pavilions and villas, rather than traditional rooms.

• Size and Design: These "mini palaces" are generous in space, featuring high ceilings, large courtyards, and many with private pools. The design blends Moroccan tradition with modern luxury, utilizing clean lines, subtle details, and locally sourced materials like green Moroccan marble in the bathrooms.
• Comfort and Amenities: Bedrooms often feature dramatic domed roofs, large king-sized beds, Berber rugs, and exquisite chaise lounges. Private gardens, gazebos, and sun loungers are common. Bathrooms are particularly noteworthy, often expansive with deep soaking tubs, double sinks, and separate dressing areas. Fireplaces, lit by staff on colder evenings, add to the cozy luxury. Rooms also include minibars, espresso machines, and Aman bath products.

4. Dining Experience

Amanjena offers diverse dining experiences, including high-end Italian, Moroccan, and Japanese options.

• Breakfast: The à la carte breakfast, often served by the pool, is consistently described as "excellent" and "exceptional," featuring freshly squeezed juices, smoothies, traditional Moroccan pancakes, and Western options.
• Dinner: The main restaurant provides an interesting hybrid of Moroccan and Italian cuisine, set in a romantic ambiance with live music and candlelight. The Moroccan restaurant, in particular, is praised for its stunning atmosphere, with white alabaster columns and live music. Nama, the Japanese restaurant, offers izakaya-style sharing plates, sushi, and sashimi, with a robata grill.
• Complimentary Offerings: Guests have reported complimentary drinks and an excellent complimentary afternoon tea with a range of pastries, cakes, and fresh juices.
• Criticisms: While overall dining is generally positive, some older reviews mention mixed experiences with the quality of food in the Japanese and Moroccan restaurants for dinner, with some dishes described as overpriced or lacking in taste. There were also observations about birds picking at bread at the breakfast buffet, leading to fruits being covered with nets. However, more recent reviews indicate fantastic quality at the restaurants.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Amanjena is frequently highlighted as a major strength. Staff are described as "friendly and attentive," silently anticipating guests' wishes, and providing personalized service with smiles. Reviewers mention "faultless" service, where staff appear precisely when needed without being intrusive. Examples include staff sewing a broken button on a guest's dress within minutes and offering a complimentary laundry service. The management's dedication to making each guest's stay special is also noted.

6. Location & Accessibility

Amanjena is situated on the outskirts of Marrakech, providing a peaceful retreat away from the city's hustle and bustle.

• Proximity: It's approximately a 20-minute drive from both Marrakech-Menara Airport and the Medina.
• Transport: The hotel offers airport transfers for an additional fee, and a complimentary shuttle service to the Medina is available for guests. Free bikes are also provided for exploring the grounds.
• Surroundings: While remote from the immediate sights of the city, its location next to the Amelkis golf course and with views of the Atlas Mountains is a significant advantage.

7. Value & Pricing

Amanjena is undeniably an expensive luxury property. Room prices can average around $1,659 for a weeknight and $2,289 for a weekend night, with April being the most expensive month. However, guests consistently state that it is "definitely worth every penny" due to the stunning setting, exceptional property, and unparalleled service. It is considered an investment in an "exceptional stay."

8. Common Complaints

While overall reviews are highly positive, a few minor criticisms have been noted:

• Food Quality Consistency: Some older reviews indicated mixed experiences with the dinner quality at the Japanese and Moroccan restaurants, describing some dishes as overpriced or lacking. However, recent feedback suggests fantastic restaurant quality.
• Pool Temperature: A past comment mentioned a heated private pool being too cold.
• Room Acoustics: High ceilings in some pavilions could lead to unusual acoustics, making small noises seem louder.
• Smoky Fireplace: One guest noted that lighting the in-room fireplace later in the evening could make the room smoky.
• Lack of Branded Merchandise: A minor point, but a recent guest noted the boutique had stopped selling Amanjena branded caps.

Sources

1. michelin.com
2. annees-de-pelerinage.com
3. booking.com
4. mrandmrssmith.com
5. kayak.com
6. standard.co.uk
7. thehotelguru.com
8. dorsiatravel.com
9. reddit.com