Last October Amanjena, the red-walled resort on the outskirts of Marrakech, reopend after a three month enhancement project of the public areas and guest pavilions and the addition of a new two-bedroom ‘Maison Jardin’. Carefully preserving the resort’s distinct Moroccan identity within its Moorish architecture, the refurbishment has maintained the existing chorus of colours which reflect the surrounding olive groves, Berber villages and the Atlas Mountains.
In addition, two new restaurants have been introduced: The Japanese Restaurant with its convivial sushi bar and robata grill serving informal izakaya-style cuisine;, and The Mediterranean Restaurant with a varied menu tracing culinary traditions from Morocco, Sicily, the South of France and Spain’s historic Al-Andalus region. Two new lounges are situated on either side of the reception pavilion, one serving afternoon tea and the other post-prandial cigars and shisha. Inspired by traditional Moroccan lanterns used to house candles and provide light, the design of these lounges incorporates glass doors which fold away into the columns of the building, thereby facilitating year round use.
Each lounge features its own fireplace and custom made furniture designed by architect and interior designer Reda Amalou, who has overseen all the design and who has maintained the elegance, simplicity and sense of warmth throughout.
Looking ahead, plans will include the development of 17 new Aman Residences which will be available for off-plan purchase and all of which will have views of the Atlas Mountains. Measuring 1800m2 in size and with the capacity to house up to six bedrooms, all villas will be adjacent to the hotel whilst maintaining high levels of privacy. There will be options for clients to personalise their villas to include a private spa with hammam, gym, yoga and Pilates studio and either rooftop or ground floor swimming pool.