ORGANICALLY ORNATE
La Sultana is an ornate hotel positioned in the old Kasbah of Marrakech, the royal district. It is one of our favourite hideaways in Morocco, read on to explore...
This citadel is grand in its beauty, the large Moulay El Yazid Mosque standing tall in the large open courtyard, its smooth peach coloured walls soaring into the azure sky. The other buildings in the surrounding areas reflect its form, sweetly blush and geometric. La Sultana is a luxury hotel located just to the left of the Mosque, slightly hidden away, you have to weave through a small but beautiful street until you reach its stunning golden doors, adorned with decoration. The walls of the hotel are authentic and worn, reflecting its ornate and historic interior. The courtyard of the hotel is home to a gloriously tropical pool, serene and surrounded by plants and loungers. It is an ideal spot to take a light afternoon lunch, where they serve a menu that hails the exotic tastes of Morocco. If you are a complete foodie, La Sultana offers guests cooking classes, allowing the secrets of Moroccan cooking to be passed on to the world.
The courtyard where guests can dine is intimate, tropical with ferns and palm leaves decorating corners and falling from above. The sounds of running water and the slight hum of the plants creates a soft jungle feel with a luxurious element to it.
ROOFTOP ROCOCO
After a light lunch poolside, it is the ideal time to retreat to the rooftop of La Sultana for afternoon tea. The ornate elevator whizzes you up to the roof, where the elegant design of the hotel opens up and unfolds into a spacious stretch for luxurious living. The rooftop is traditionally Moroccan, the chairs, pagodas and tables are bohemian in their baroque forms, carved effortlessly into detailed black structures, creating an ethereal and lavish setting. Bougainvillaea flowers slink along the lattice roof of the pagoda and flow on down to a small dipping pool surrounded by loungers, each with an embroidered sun hat - just waiting for guests to settle down with a book in hand.
Large clay pots and luscious green plants decorate this space, it becomes almost greenhouse-like, as large glass roofs punctuate the area, reflecting the Moroccan sun across the leaves of the palms. It is a tropical wonderland, bringing guests the traditional designs of Morocco, views of the Mosque below and the peach city working hard below. Walk through the rooftop, past swirling muslin clothes that tie around the columns of the pagoda, and settle at the contemporary bar for a refreshing mint tea.
HELLO HAMMAM
A Hammam massage is a traditional spa experience that most people endeavour to enjoy during a mini break to Morocco. Most luxury hotels will offer this at their spa, as the ultimate Marrakech experience. The spa at La Sultana is intimate yet grand and before we even stepped foot into the spa, our senses were tickled by the intense floral Jasmine scents that floated through the ground floor of the hotel. Dimly lit, and warm, their spa is elegant and sensationally relaxing. Their Hammam experience begins with a dip in the La Sultana pool, deeply refreshing and fragrant under ornate ceilings with large iron lanterns reflecting patterns of light across the space. Once out of the pool, the Hammam begins with steaming and scrubbing, intending to give the body a full cleanse. Finally, you are swaddled in your fresh toweling robe and set to rest for a while, allowing the body to absorb the goodness from the massage.
La Sultana is a secret escape from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, yet retains the delicate Moroccan design and honours time-worn Moroccan traditions. Its unique rooftop is a spot not to miss, neither are the spa treatments… or cooking classes. La Sultana seems to have it all and is seemingly small and mighty. Head here for an injection of Moroccan culture and a little R&R.
With Love,
