AG Hôtel & Spa Marrakech ★★★★★

“Marrakech taught me colour,” – Yves Saint Laurent.

The very building of the AG Hotel is almost chameleonic, light in the African sun by day, darkening to a dusky lilac as the sun sets, and lit up a striking burnt orange at night, under a deep blue sky that never quite darkens to black. However, as remarkable as the large stone building is, it won’t be one of these colours that first catches your eye. Instead, you’ll notice the lush green topiary and gardens around the hotel, the fertile lawns and palm trees a perfect balm to the scorching African sun. There’s even a putting green for golfers to enjoy.

The abundant greenery is offset by the bright azure of the pools. The concentric geometric circular pools have an area of 298 square metres, and are surrounded by palm trees, sun loungers, and – most importantly – a snack bar. Days could go by endlessly floating beneath the cerulean sky, as one of the ever-helpful and attentive staff members brings you a freshly squeezed orange juice.

Inside the hotel, the colours tend towards the more muted shades, giving your eyes a rest from drinking in the many hues of Marrakech. The subdued sandy tones of the restaurant allow what’s important to shine through – in this case, the vibrant Moroccan cuisine, and the rich, dark coffee that can be savoured at the coffee bar.

The décor continues to the rooms, which are styled in soothing slate grey and other neutral tones, with wide windows looking out to the white caps of the Atlas Mountains in the distance. And because it wouldn’t be Marrakech otherwise, the rooms are accented with subtle splashes of ruby, teal, olive and saffron in the plush bedding and furnishings.

The spa is a dedicated centre of healing, tranquillity and relaxation in every aspect, including the restful white and taupe colour scheme that unites the fitness and relaxation rooms, along with the traditional Turkish bath, the sauna, and the massage rooms.