This slice of north Africa is famed for the towering Atlas mountains, rose-tinted medinas and endless golden beaches.
Explore it by basing yourself in a villa, and choose between places such as Taghazhout, an up-and-coming beach destination that has clung on onto its laid-back hippie roots, and Marrakesh, where you can dip into its souk-filled centre before retreating to a palatial pad on the city’s outskirts.
Bring your friends: this grand villa with easy access to the centre comes with seven bedrooms and a huge private pool. It easily pleases sporty types, with the Royal Club Equestrian centre, the Noria Golf Club and the Oasiria Water Park all just a five-minute drive from the villa.
A daily housekeeping service means you don’t have to worry about keeping things tidy, and there are plenty of sculpture-filled groups to join if you need some time out. Villa D’artiste Dar Jmel is also just a 15-minute taxi ride from the airport — perfect if you’re here for a long weekend.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 14
Price ££
Arty? Pack your bags. This four-bedroom villa is filled with sculptures and puts you in a great spot to explore the surrounding areas of Marrakesh. The pretty village of Tameslohte is a short stroll away and you can try out jetskiing at the nearby lake.
There are also several golf courses within walking distance, too, as well as a local farm where you can pet the animals — perfect if you’ve got little ones in tow.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 9
Price ££
Book this five-bedroom palace for plenty of privacy; the high, greenery-draped walls will keep you tucked away. It’s a great option for guests who’ll be spending most of their time outdoors thanks to an army of parasols by the pool, and garden furniture dotted throughout the gardens.
It sits on Essaouira’s outskirts, within easy reach of some of the area’s most famous landmarks, including Essaouira Beach, which is just a five-minute drive away, along with the ruins of the Bordj el Berod watchtower.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 13
Price £
This striking, fully staffed villa with an enormous terrace is the spot to stock up on downtime.
Sink into a daybed and soak up those sweeping views of the palm tree-studded landscape. You can expect a yoga studio, spa, massage room and hammam, along with a floodlit tennis court and a boules and croquet courts for guests who prefer something more sedate. Seven bedrooms are split between the main villa and guesthouse in the grounds.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 14
Price £££
If you want quick access to the centre of Marrakesh, you’re in the right place — this villa, which has four bedrooms, is just a 20-minute walk from Marrakesh’s Boulevard Mohamed VI. It’s a property with plenty of tributes to old Marrakesh, whether it’s the wooden Moroccan doors with their elaborate carvings or the heavy gilt mirrors in the bathrooms.
The main dining room is made for entertaining — an open fire ramps up the cosiness, and there’s direct access to a large terrace for post-dinner drinks.
Pool Y
Family-friendly Y
Sleeps 8
Price ££
