LWSY Marrakech Part Two >>> Ancient Dynasties & Modern Luxury >>> La Sultana Hotel
Continuing my quest for some of the best bright and beautiful hotels and riads to stay in during my time in Marrakech, I had arrived at La Sultana for two nights. Oh La belle Sultana. What a place, set in the heart of Marrakech, in the first kasbah of the sultans, and next to the ancient Saadian tombs which you can see from the roof of the hotel, La Sultana stands proudly in golden triangle of the imperial city, the heart of the bustling medina.
Arriving from El Fenn, La Sultana represents Moroccan craftsmanship at its very best, and what a charming hotel for two nights in Marrakech.
As we were greeted from the street by the most wonderfully dressed bell hop, we entered via the famous plated door into Le Riad Shéhérazade for some welcome tea and Moroccan pastries. The garden of this riad (one of five which connect the hotel together) is an African oasis, and a place to shelter from the mid day heat.
We arrived mid morning so a little early to expect to check in, instead we explored the hotel and went off to find the pool. Walking through Riad Almohade (the entrance corridor and onwards) the space opens up to a tranquil pool area with semi-tropical vegetation planted around the pool. The long ochre coloured corridor which was being adorned with roses the morning we arrived led to an elegant dining area, past the hotel gift shop and reception area to this haven of tranquility. An area to enjoy the sunshine until mid afternoon where you can retreat to the roof and it’s dipping pool if you are not ready to finish sun worshipping for the day.
Due to a rather tight itinerary during my week in Marrakech our two days here at La Sultana were scheduled with the help of Saida and her team at the front desk. Our first day was going to allow some down time to explore the hotel and enjoy the facilities. Dinner was planned on the roof at nine, perfect timing to enjoy a cocktail at sunset. Our second day was about exploring the local souk and medina (where we asked for a guide to be arranged to take us to some design locations). We also popped over to Jardin Majorelle (just a 15 minute cab from the hotel) before check out on our last day. So in regards to location, La Sultana is in the perfect spot if you are happy to walk around.
The Rooftop Bar
Terraces all across Marrakech are known for being quite special, but at La Sultana you are spoiled with uninterrupted views by way of 1500 Sq M of terrace space flowing with bougainvillea and views of the Atlas mountains in the far distance. With two levels you have the breakfast and lunch terrace at the back, with the rooftop covered gym, games room, outdoor dining area, cookery school, dipping pool and bar all on the upper level.
The rooftop lounge area provides shelter from the heat of the day, and a restful place to sit and enjoy a cocktail before dinner if you choose to stay in for the evening. We decided to stay in on both nights, and this outdoor lounge provided the perfect spot after a days exploring.
The hotel also has a by appointment cookery school on the roof terrace. We were left a beautiful tagine plate as a gift in our room inviting us to try the school. One of the hotel chefs will teach you how to cook some local dishes. A great idea as a morning activity, then lunch is sorted!
The Games Room above…
The view from our terrace above.
The hotel has 28 bedrooms or suites, each with its own design and decoration. In traditional riad style the rooms overlook a central courtyard, with thick internal walls, the rooms and suites are pretty soundproof, with reversible air-conditioning, a fan, satellite TV, DVD, iPod dock, phone, free wifi, bathroom with bathtub and shower, hair-dryer, non alcoholic mini-bar free of charge (which was pleasing in comparison to many hotels in Marrakech), king-size beds, a fireplace, antique furniture, paintings and collections of works of art, a sculpted ceiling with a beautiful lantern, our room was a perfect example of traditional Moroccan design.
Filled with so many design details, high vaulted ceilings, marble, precious woods and tadelakt, copper, the huge doors and intricate window panelling, but remember if you prefer a bedroom with some natural light book the deluxe suites that have private balconies. They are a brighter inside.
One of our beautiful windows…
#GlobeTrotterTravels…
Our incredible bathroom…
An example of the intricate stucco ornamentation in our suite. The hand carved tadelkat (polished plaster) surfaces filled our room, around the windows, the ceiling cornices and wall panelling. Beautiful. The plaster is applied in thick layers and hand carved on site.
Setting up for dinner. This roof terrace doubles up as a great sunbathing spot in the day time…
Pre-dinner glass of wine in our favourite spot…
Sunset at the bar before dinner.
The restaurant at La Sultana offers a traditional Moroccan cuisine to reflect the flavours of the season.We opted for the traditional lamb couscous with seven vegetables and a classic tagine. A quiet elegant dinner on a beautiful terrace. A restaurant used not only by hotel guests but guests from surrounding hotels also. With some beautiful live music every night on the terrace, our first evening at La Sultana was everything we hoped it would be.
A selection of Moroccan style tapas starters
Turn down service…
The view from my bed, what an incredible ceiling…
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Day 2
Good morning, a stroll around the hotel before breakfast?
Riad Bahia above, with it’s white stucco work and minimalist decor (minimalist by way of Moroccan standards!). This riad next to the pool is the hotels most serene place to sit and read. You won’t fail to notice the exceptional attention to detail with regards to the craftsmanship of the hotel, the walls, ceilings, floors, staircases and windows are all masterpieces.
Moroccan craftsmanship is taken very seriously, a walk through the souks can testify to the hard work involved in producing intricately carved window frames, iron work and chiselled panelling.
Waking early for breakfast ready for our day ahead, our shaded table on the roof terrace looked over the surrounding medina and below into Riad Bahia. Starting the day off right with a Berber omelette and a fruit plate, La Sultana serves the most wonderful breakfasts. If you fancy the works Moroccan style, then this is your place.
Riad Bahia, one of the hotels 5 riads.
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Onto our day with our Ahmed, our guide was kindly arranged for us by the hotel…
Into the Medina we ventured…
On to Palais Bahia, more on our adventures into the souk and medina in a future post though. Here are just a few snaps to wet your appetite…
A haven of inspiration for an interiors person like me. Many, many photos were taken here…
By mid afternoon the heat had us dreaming of the pool back at the hotel so after a gentle stroll back from the medina we finished the afternoon crashed out by the pool. With a fantastic lunch/pool menu the staff kindly set up a table for us by our sun loungers for a late afternoon bite.
Back to the roof terrace and the dipping pool…
Above, the outdoor massage terrace…
The hotel is filled with sculptures, antiques, artwork and beautiful furniture. Over the years the private collection has grown, with famous Moroccan artists such as Gharbaoui, Louardiri, Denmati and Hassan El Glaoui being added to the walls. This is the walk at night from the front door through to the lift to get to the terrace.
The ground floor pool at night. After a long day and a late lunch, what was supposed to be an afternoon snooze turned into us both sleeping through dinner, so we decided to stay in and watch a movie in bed, ready for our long day tomorrow…
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Day 3 – Breakfast
Another beautiful breakfast on the roof terrace before heading out to Jardin Majorelle, otherwise known as the Yves Saint Laurent memorial garden and the designers former home.
More on my visit to Jardin Majorelle coming soon in a future post…
Back to our hotel to collect our bags before our next check in, this time off to the Four Seasons…
My stay was courtesy of La Sultana. In low season a Prestige Room starts at £220+ (raising to £300+ in high season) to £550+ for a Suite Apartment per night (raising to £780+ in high season).
Images ℅ LWSY, Lillie Stamp & La Sultana
La Sultana Marrakech was elected among the 400 best hotels in the world by Forbes Traveler Magazine.
Thank you also to Kilpatrick PR, The Ideas Network, Globe-Trotter, Smythson, Ranieri & Damson PR.
403 Rue de la Kasbah, Marrakech.
LWSY