Luxury Hotel, Architecture, and Design Escape in Morocco

Marrakech is a city of contrasts. Its bustling medina is a labyrinth of vibrant souks, ornate riads, and fragrant spice markets, where life unfolds in colour, scent, and rhythm. Yet, just a short drive from this kaleidoscope of activity, the rose-hued walls of Amanjena rise quietly among olive groves and palms, offering an oasis of calm and a celebration of design at its most refined. For those seeking a journey where culture, luxury, and architecture intersect, Amanjena is unrivalled—a space where Moroccan heritage and contemporary lifestyle exist in perfect harmony.

Amanjena, meaning “peaceful paradise,” was conceived by Ed Tuttle, the architect responsible for shaping much of Aman’s signature aesthetic. His vision for Amanjena was to create a resort that felt simultaneously monumental and intimate, a reflection of Morocco’s rich architectural heritage filtered through a modern sensibility. The result is extraordinary: soft rose-pink walls, vaulted ceilings, archways, and courtyards that echo the Red City’s historic kasbahs, while pools, fountains, and reflective water channels introduce a quiet, contemplative rhythm throughout the property. Every design decision, from the scale of the spaces to the play of light and shadow, feels deliberate—an invitation to pause, to breathe, and to experience the calm luxury that has become Aman’s hallmark.

The resort’s architecture is only the beginning of the experience. Amanjena is a celebration of Moroccan craftsmanship, a tactile dialogue with the country’s artisanal traditions. Zellij tiles, hand-carved cedar doors, Berber rugs, and intricate plasterwork are carefully curated to create interiors that feel authentic yet contemporary. Each of the 32 standalone pavilions offers a private sanctuary, where high domed ceilings and marble bathrooms meet private gardens or heated pools, blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior. The Maisons, including the grand Al Hamra, expand on this vision, offering multiple courtyards, private pools, and spaces designed for both family living and quiet contemplation. Here, design is not just decoration—it is atmosphere, experience, and narrative all at once.

Luxury at Amanjena extends beyond architecture to embrace the full spectrum of Moroccan sensory culture. The resort’s dining experiences are as carefully designed as its spaces. The Moroccan restaurant celebrates local traditions with tagines, spiced lamb, and couscous served beneath soaring arches that echo the region’s historic palaces. Arva brings Mediterranean and Italian flavours to a sun-drenched terrace, while Nama introduces Japanese washoku traditions through sushi and robata grill. Dining is never simply about food; it is ritual, theatre, and culture combined—often enjoyed under starlit skies, in private olive groves, or in a traditional Bedouin-style Caidal tent that transforms a meal into a memory.

Wellness at Amanjena is similarly immersive, drawing on centuries of Moroccan tradition. The spa’s marble hammams, fragrant with rose and orange blossom, offer a restorative journey that blends ancient rituals with modern facilities. Treatments incorporate argan oil, rhassoul clay, and gommage scrubs, while yoga, meditation, and fitness sessions allow guests to engage both body and mind. Here, wellness is not a menu—it is an extension of the resort’s design philosophy, a reminder that luxury is measured in attention to detail and the creation of spaces that nurture the self.

Perhaps most striking is Amanjena’s relationship with its surroundings. From the resort, the Atlas Mountains rise in the distance, the desert stretches beyond, and Marrakech’s medina pulses nearby. This proximity allows guests to explore the city’s rich history, artisan workshops, and gardens while always returning to a sanctuary that offers privacy, calm, and impeccable design. Excursions to the Agafay Desert offer camel rides and starlit dining, while trips into the Atlas Mountains provide insight into Berber culture and village life. Amanjena serves as a threshold between worlds—between the contemporary and the traditional, the private and the public, the vibrant city and the serene landscape.

What sets Amanjena apart is its understanding of the essence of Moroccan luxury. Morocco itself is a land steeped in heritage, from the intricate patterns of its tiles to the architecture of its palaces and kasbahs, and the country’s artisanal legacy is woven into the very fabric of daily life. Amanjena captures this spirit, translating it into an experience that feels both authentic and contemporary. The design and service here embody restraint, elegance, and a rare attentiveness to the ways that spaces can shape emotion and memory. In doing so, Aman does what few other luxury hotels can: it elevates travel to an art form, where architecture, culture, and personal experience converge seamlessly.

Amanjena is more than a hotel; it is a manifesto in rose-hued stone, water, and light. It is a place where design is not just seen but felt, where Moroccan traditions are celebrated through contemporary luxury, and where every detail—from the tiles beneath your feet to the evening glow across the olive groves—is orchestrated to inspire calm, reflection, and delight. For travellers seeking the pinnacle of luxury, design, and cultural immersion, Amanjena stands as one of Morocco’s most remarkable experiences—an oasis that embodies the country’s beauty, heritage, and enduring allure.