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The Independent
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
The Oberoi Marrakech hotel review
Location Just a 25-minute drive from Marrakech Medina, the historic old city, the Oberoi is close to the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and set in 28 acres of gardens including fragrant olive groves and citrus orchards. It is half an hour from Marrakech Menara Airport, which is a three-hour and 40-minute flight from London. The vibe The hotel's design takes inspiration from Moroccan and Andalusian palaces and a palatial feel prevails throughout, from the open courtyard at the centre of the hotel to its 'grand canal', set against the stunning backdrop of the snow-capped Atlas peaks. Villas come with their own private pool, meaning you can relax without being troubled by other guests. Great care has been taken to cultivate a serene environment with flourishing native gardens creating a home for local birds, and on a clear night, the stargazing is unmatched. Service Service is impeccable at every turn, from check-in to the restaurants and spa. Guests are always greeted warmly, and can expect friendly, helpful staff to be on hand throughout the day, without feeling like they are being hassled. Each room has a 24-hour concierge line, who can help book trips and experiences, from a tour of the city to breakfast in a hot-air balloon and even a flight into the desert, if given the right amount of notice. Bed and bath Some 72 of the 84 rooms and suites are deluxe villas, which have a bedroom with a king-size bed and a large bathroom, both with large windows looking out onto the private pool and garden, with sun loungers. There is a standalone bath as well as a large shower that has a door out to the garden, meaning you can head straight in from the pool. The main suite is open plan and spacious with tasteful decorations in rich jewel tones. It includes a lounge area, as well as a dining table with a door leading out to the pool and garden. There is a separate walk-in closet that has ample room, as well as a desk if needed. Upon arrival, a thoughtfully arranged tray of complimentary cakes, snacks and local wine is laid out. Food and drink The Oberoi has two main restaurants. Rivayat, with a menu curated by Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai, offers Indian cuisine that the hotel says is an 'ode to the country's many culinary traditions and delights'. A highlight is the five-course 'Expedition' tasting menu, though there is also an à la carte option. Tamimt, next door in the main building, has food from around the world, including more traditional Moroccan tagines. The desserts were a particular standout, including a tiramisu constructed at the table. Diners can also eat on the terrace with views of the Atlas Mountains. Chefs use olive oil from the grounds' 3,000 olive trees, pressed specially to be used in the hotel's restaurants. There is another restaurant, Azur, by the main swimming pool, for light meals during the day, and also a hotel bar. Facilities As well as a large main pool, there is a spa built over a small lake within the grounds. It has an indoor, temperature-controlled pool, as well as a gym and five spa treatment rooms, plus two traditional Moroccan hammams. There is a range of complimentary fitness and wellness classes available, which can be booked through the concierge, including sunrise yoga, a morning run with the hotel's fitness trainer and high-intensity cross training. There is also a tennis court and bikes are available to use around the grounds. Disability access The hotel caters for disabled guests with facilities including wheelchair-accessible routes, grab rails, raised toilets, and lowered sinks. Pet policy Pets are not allowed. Check in/check out? Check-in is at 3pm, and check-out at 12pm. Family friendly? Children are welcome and the Oberoi has a kids' club with a programme including cooking classes, art workshops and treasure hunts. They can also be shown the secrets of falconry by the indigenous Kwassem tribe, or visit the hotel's donkeys, Brownie and Sugar, who are very friendly and happy to have visitors pop by to say hello. At a glance Best thing: Tranquillity – great service and privacy mean your peace is never interrupted. Perfect for: Mixing rest with an invigorating city break. Not right for: Anyone not looking to leave behind the hustle and bustle of central Marrakech. Instagram from: The hotel terrace at sunset, capturing the hotel's 'grand canal' and Atlas Mountains in the distance.
Times
26-05-2025
- Times
La Mamounia hotel review: Marrakesh's grande dame with Moroccan styling and beautiful gardens
There may be hotels in Marrakesh that are more opulent, but none can match this grande dame for its elegance, grace and one of the most beautiful hotel gardens in the world. The rose-hued walls feel knitted into the very fabric of the city. The vast, low-lit lobby leads to room upon room of soft, earthy colours, jewelled zellige tiling and intricate latticework, each filled with brushed velvet ottomans and studded-leather lounge chairs. It's all so effortlessly old school you half expect Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor to swing out of the Churchill Bar. Bars and restaurants blaze with Moroccan artistry at its most exquisite, courtyards glitter with hand-lain mosaics and the quietly charming staff ensure everyone — from young families to American millionaires — feels equally welcome. A masterclass in luxury without excess, Mamounia is a glorious oasis, right in the centre of this most chaotically charming of cities. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Score 8/10All of Mamounia's elegant bedrooms are pretty spiffy but, if budget allows, it's worth splashing out on a Deluxe room or above for their private balconies (specify one that overlooks the gardens or Koutoubia, rather than the street). All rooms have a crisp, clean feel with arched headboards, mosaic tiling and sepia-tinged photos of Marrakesh that give a real sense of place — even before you open the curtains to see the Atlas Mountains looming in the distance. Marble bathrooms tend towards the compact in lower room categories, and only larger rooms have a bath, while suites come with spacious balconies and opulent lounges. Score 9/10The perennial complaint about Moroccan food — tagine, tagine and more tagine — has no relevance here. Four restaurants dish up almost every cuisine you might fancy, from Jean-Georges Vongerichten's trademark Asian-fusion at L'Asiatique — perhaps dim sum, followed by a Vietnamese curry or musky, miso cod — to pizzas and pasta at L'Italien. Le Marocain, housed in its own riad with three floors overlooking leafy gardens, serves up classic dishes — crispy briouates, salads with the city's signature flavours of orange, almond and preserved lemons — and an elegant breakfast and lunch buffet is laid out in Le Pavillon de la Piscine. It could take all day to to do justice to the spectacular breakfast — fresh patisserie, handmade breads, jams, eggs a dozen different ways — but leave room for afternoon tea, taken beneath shady palms at the Pierre Hermé salon. It's an indulgence not to be missed. • Discover our full guide to Marrakesh• Best hotels in Marrakesh Score 9/10If you can raise yourself from a shady hammock (or a lounger by the glittering pool) there's tennis, boules and table tennis, with yoga and Pilates classes and personal training sessions at the gym. Kids of all ages will love the Salle de Jeux — a retro games room with pinball machines, pool tables and board games, while gifts can be picked up at the clutch of small boutiques, selling jewellery, clothes and gifts by local designers and famous names. The spa — where pools shimmer beneath scallop-edged archways and exquisite tilework gleams in flickering candlelight — is one of the city's best. There's a private hammam and, with two of the ten treatment rooms set up for couples, it's a wonderfully romantic retreat. Score 9/10Many of Marrakesh's luxury hotels are a taxi journey away from the medina. La Mamounia's location, just in front of the city's Koutoubia mosque, is a major plus. The storytellers, snake-charmers and smoke-tinged food stalls of the extraordinary Djemaa el-Fna are just a few minutes' stroll away, with the labyrinthine medina unfolding beyond it. For something a little less hectic, the calmer streets of the Ville Nouvelle are a ten-minute taxi ride away. Price room-only doubles from £380Restaurant mains from £23Family-friendly YAccessible N • Best riads in Marrakesh• Best restaurants in Marrakesh
The Independent
09-05-2025
- The Independent
Celebration villa breaks: From birthdays to anniversaries, find your perfect luxury getaway
If you're planning a milestone birthday, a big anniversary, or a long-awaited reunion, a villa holiday is hard to beat. Imagine clinking glasses on a rooftop terrace at sunset or gathering loved ones around a candlelit garden table for a leisurely dinner under the night sky. These special occasions deserve much more than booking out a busy hotel, and nothing beats having your own sun-drenched sanctuary where you have the space and privacy to celebrate in style. Whether you're heading to Marrakech in the shadow of the Atlas Mountains, to the rolling hills of Tuscany, or a tropical oasis further afield, Villas are the perfect home-away-from-home for celebrating something, or someone, special. CV Villas' luxurious ABOVE collection offers the perfect backdrop for unforgettable moments – think breathtaking settings, total privacy, and the kind of comfort and space that makes everyone feel at home. All come with stunning interiors, sweeping views as far as the eye can see, and enviable locations in some of the world's most sought-after spots. Each villa is hand-picked by dedicated CV Villa specialists, who are experts in helping people craft their dream getaway. Many come with their own infinity pools, breathtaking views and large alfresco dining areas, perfect for spending quality time together during life's most important moments. Villas aren't just places to stay, they're a big part of the celebration itself. Truly luxurious trips From the moment you book your stay to your arrival back home, the CV Villas Concierge team is there to make everything as seamless and stress-free as possible. They are dedicated to looking after you and your party before and throughout your holiday so that you can focus on the things that really matter, like spending quality time together and celebrating without having to worry about the minor details. The team tailors each trip to exactly what you're after, whether you're looking to book a private boat day or need to organise a surprise celebration dinner, nothing is too much trouble. Many of the five-star villas even come with their own butlers and chefs so that you can be waited on hand and foot during your special getaway. ABOVE villas are the epitome of luxury and come with designer interiors, infinity pools boasting panoramic ocean views, and terraces made for golden hour cocktails – properties with serious star quality. What's more, they're located all around the world, from the sun-soaked shores of Spain and Greece to the palm-fringed beaches of far-flung Sri Lanka and beyond. Sampling delicious local food is a big part of a holiday, but catering for a large group can often mean juggling different requests and palates. Luckily for you, many of these luxury villas come with their very own in-villa chefs – perfect for when you'd rather toast the moment with a glass of fizz than spend time flapping around in the kitchen. Instead, let your chef whip up multi-course meals morning till night, using the freshest local produce, all based on your personal tastes and dietary requirements, before tucking into it alfresco under the undisturbed starry night sky. The little luxuries make a big difference to a bucket-list trip: daily housekeeping to keep things spic and span, spa treatments for when you need a little R&R, wine tastings for the adults, yoga sessions with epic views, and even round-the-clock babysitting. All of this can be arranged to make your stay feel even more indulgent. Four incredible villas made for celebrating Maison Emilion, France This rustic French villa is practically made for wine lovers, aptly located amidst the rolling vineyards of Bordeaux. This six-bedroom hilltop hangout boasts views of the working vineyards from every angle, including from the heated pool and surrounding sunbeds. Wander into the nearby village of Saint-Émilion, then enjoy the included wine-tasting experience before settling into the garden for dinner with nothing but the glow of flickering candlelight and the moonlit sky. Oleander, Corfu It doesn't get much more luxurious than Oleander in Corfu, a five-bedroom villa overlooking Avlaki Bay and the picturesque town of Kassiopi. It's located high above the Ionian Sea and is the ideal villa for memorable summer celebrations. Soak up the sunshine from the infinity pool while enjoying views of Albania's craggy Ceraunian Mountains, or hang out on the wrap-around terraces and communal outside dining areas. During peak season at Oleander, chef service is also included, so you can enjoy meals with your loved ones without even having to leave the villa. , Mallorca Spirit of Son Fuster in Mallorca is hard to beat for large groups and multigenerational stays. This five-star bolthole is set in a stunning natural landscape at the foot of the Alaro twin mountains, right near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Serra de Tramuntana, and is as secluded as it gets. This gorgeous 14th-century manor house sleeps twenty people across ten bedrooms and even has its own on-site spa and hammam where everyone can enjoy treatments in the dedicated treatment rooms. There's even a private cinema room for movie nights and a well-stocked wine cellar filled with local vintage wines. Masseria Giardini, Puglia Masseria Giardini in Puglia is the height of luxury and the perfect home-away-from-home for families and large groups. It was built in 1750 and is surrounded by leafy olive groves and landscaped gardens curated by Chelsea Flower Show winners Urquhart & Hunt. Enjoy unparalleled views of the Canale Di Pirro Valley from this ten-bedroom farmhouse and spend days lazing around in the heated pool. This villa is an architectural masterpiece, with signature stone domed roofs and hand-carved stone baths in five of the ten bedrooms.
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Travel + Leisure
08-05-2025
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
Why More Women Are Traveling Solo, Together
A few months before her wedding, Mackenzie Gange-Anderson took a vacation to Morocco. But she didn't go with her soon-to-be husband. Instead, she went with a group of women she'd never met before. 'The women-only aspect really appealed to me,' says Gange-Anderson, a human resources analyst from Chicago. During her eight-day adventure through the Atlas Mountains with Intrepid , Gange-Anderson had the chance to learn about traditional ways of life. She drank tea in a cave and swapped stories with women goat herders. She had dinner in a private home, feasting on chicken tagine and homemade bread. And on long hikes between villages, her fellow travelers became friends. Cycling through Tuscany with Butterfield & Robinson. 'It just felt good to have other women around, all looking out for each other,' she recalls. Women opting to travel with other women is now one of the biggest trends in travel, according to Virtuoso, a collective of luxury-minded advisors. Today, more than 70 percent of all solo travelers are female, Virtuoso says. About half of those individuals are divorced, separated, or widowed, meaning many women are intentionally leaving a partner at home—and seeking the sense of security and sisterhood that comes with a small-group trip. 'It's not just about traveling,' says Paige Davis. She's the president of AdventureWomen, a company that's been running trips exclusively for women since 1982. 'It's also about building relationships, building community, and building friendships—that's something unique,' Davis explains. Though the brand has been around for more than 40 years, it too has been innovating lately. This year, the firm launched a 12-day private-jet journey that will introduce travelers to women chefs, vintners, and entrepreneurs across Europe. Other companies are working to meet the need for women-only trips. Backroads, for example, added its first batch in 2024 'as a bit of an experiment,' says executive vice president Avery Hale Smith. 'We were all blown away by how immensely popular it became.' The company has doubled down for 2025, adding walking and hiking tours in more than a dozen new locations, including Nepal and Japan. 'Women seem particularly interested in far-flung destinations,' Hale Smith says, 'because they're not necessarily places that they might go on their own.' EF Go Ahead Tours plans to launch its first women-only departures in 2026, with itineraries to destinations including Egypt, Ireland, Italy, and Peru. The company was motivated by guest feedback, says brand president Heidi Durflinger, who notes that 60 percent of women traveling with EF want 'to rediscover themselves' through travel. Cruise lines are also embracing the trend: Aurora Expeditions is putting together its first women-only voyage, an Antarctica odyssey aboard the 71-cabin Sylvia Earle slated for 2027 with a team of guides led by women. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, meanwhile, is planning an inaugural women-only voyage this August, a trip through Burgundy and Provence hosted by Saturday Night Live alumna Rachel Dratch. For Katie Gallagher, a Glenshaw, Pennsylvania–based pharmacist, traveling solo with like-minded women has become a way of life. Having taken her first AdventureWomen outing in 2017, to the Canadian Rockies, she's now gearing up for her 14th trip with the company: a safari in Tanzania. 'Women in general are caretakers for other people, and there's a level of burnout with that,' she says. 'Trips like this are a magical kind of escape.' Butterfield & Robinson B&R's women-only collection debuted in 2024; more trips are scheduled for this year. One option, an eight-day cycling itinerary in Southeast Asia, includes a meeting with a female guerrilla who fought in the Vietnam War. Girls' Guide to the World Started in 2009 as Girls' Guide to Paris, this brand has now gone global, with deep dives like an eight-day late-summer Finland trip focused on why the country consistently ranks as the world's happiest. Pack Light Global Founder Dawn Booker created this company to better serve Black women ages 40 and over, with itineraries such as a nine-day September island-hop in Greece that will blend sightseeing with beach time. Road Scholar This nonprofit, which focuses on educational vacations for people ages 50 and up, offers nearly 30 women-only departures, including a six-day tour of California art museums. Wild Terrains A small-group specialist, this company prioritizes supporting female-owned businesses. One of its bestsellers is an eight-day journey through Portugal, where guests get to paint alongside a Lisbon street artist. Zephyr Adventures A new July trip for novice hikers includes wilderness-safety tips during a five-day tour of Montana's Beartooth Mountains. A version of this story first appeared in the June 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline "The New Girls' Trip."
Associated Press
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
How Moroccan Rugs Became a Global Symbol of Sustainable Luxury
05/07/2025, New York City, New York // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // In design circles, Moroccan rugs have quietly become 'handwoven masterpieces, rich in heritage and understated beauty' that 'have transcended trends to become timeless icons' in modern interiors. From Brooklyn lofts to Scandinavian hygge rooms, these thick woolen carpets add cozy warmth and organic texture, and they come with a sustainability story that appeals to conscious consumers. As experts note, today's buyers often ask 'Will it last?' and increasingly want answers that point to longevity and ethics. A handknotted Moroccan rug , crafted slowly over weeks, is seen as an investment rather than disposable décor, a sharp contrast to the throwaway 'fast furniture' culture blamed for 10 million tons of US furniture waste a year. In an era of fleeting trends, these sturdy artisan weavings are valued both for their style and for their carbon-minimal, all-natural origins. A Berber weaver in Morocco's Atlas Mountains spins sheep's wool on a wooden loom, continuing a centuries-old family tradition. In the remote villages of southern Morocco, women have long been 'the guardians of the age-old craft of carpet weaving'. For generations, Amazigh (Berber) families have spun local sheep's wool by hand and dyed it with plant-based pigments (henna, pomegranate or indigo) to create thick pile rugs suited for cold mountain homes. These tribal carpets ,from snowy-white Beni Ourain to bold Azilal and Boujad patterns ,were originally practical bedding against winter chill. Today they are prized for that same warmth and durability. 'This tradition has been handed down for centuries, from mothers to daughters,' says Safia Imnoutres of a local cooperative. The looms may be old-fashioned, but the results resonate with 21st-century tastes: the subtle irregularities and hand-tied knots give each rug a soul that no machine-made imitations can match. For interiors focused on sustainability, Moroccan vintage rug can offer a true 'slow-made' alternative. As one décor specialist explains, handcrafted Moroccan rugs 'can take weeks or even months to complete, using age-old techniques that ensure the rug's quality and longevity.' This slow-paced production means each piece is built to last decades, not designed to wear out in a few years. Their dense wool fibers are naturally stain-resistant and resilience-tested: with proper care, they stand up to daily life, spills, high-traffic, even children playing on the floor, without losing beauty. Unlike synthetic carpets, these rugs are woven from 100% wool and naturally colored with organic dyes, making them fully biodegradable at end of life. In effect, every Moroccan rug blends 'beauty and sustainability', embodying a minimal-impact aesthetic that eco-minded designers celebrate. This emphasis on natural materials and longevity reflects a broader shift in home goods. After all, what makes a piece truly luxurious today often comes down to its story and craftsmanship. A designer quoted in Harper's Bazaar notes how an heirloom mindset has taken hold: what was once 'mass-produced… disposable' is being replaced by selections that answer 'Will it last? … It's an investment, an heirloom even'. Moroccan textiles fit this ethos perfectly. Each geometric motif is unique and tells a story, so no two handwoven rugs are identical. Consumers who care about the environment now equate the textured neutrality of a Beni carpet or the vibrant symbolism of an Azilal print with lasting quality. Rather than chasing short-lived fads, they're drawn to the 'ethical production behind each item', which, as one crafts blog puts it, means 'supporting fair trade and sustainable practices' by choosing artisanal decor. In short, these woolen treasures are proving that real luxury can be quiet, rugged and responsible. Berberorugs is actively working to return more of the value of each sale directly to the artisans who make these rugs. Rather than sourcing from large souks or through layers of middlemen, the brand partners directly with weavers and small family workshops in Morocco, ensuring that the women behind the looms receive fair, dignified compensation for their craft. Berberorugs takes pride in maintaining personal relationships with its artisan partners, cutting out intermediaries so that more of the profit reaches the source. In addition to providing stable orders and consistent income, the brand also invests in infrastructure that allows artisans to work in safe, supportive environments, often from their own homes or community weaving spaces. This model helps preserve traditional techniques while offering a sustainable livelihood. For Berberorugs, it's not just about selling beautiful textiles, it's about uplifting the very communities that create them. When a customer buys from Berberorugs, they're not only bringing home a piece of history, they're directly supporting the future of Moroccan craftsmanship. Berberorugs offers not only a wide range of Moroccan carpets but also coordinating pillows, leather poufs and other decor pieces, styled for design-savvy buyers. The goal is to make these heirloom-quality textiles accessible: as the press release puts it, Moroccan artisans 'weave every rug with love' to create pieces that elevate a room 'not only as decor but as a testament to the art of traditional weaving'. In marketing speak, each rug becomes a life-long investment in both style and heritage. This convergence of craftsmanship and commerce reflects a broader change in the home furnishings market. As one trend analyst observed, shoppers have begun to value the social and environmental story behind what they buy. A Moroccan pillow or rug, once a niche boho item, now signals those values at a glance: it looks effortlessly chic, yet it also fits a sustainable lifestyle. Prominent interiors outlets note that geometric Moroccan styles 'blend effortlessly into virtually any décor', from minimalist urban lofts to colorful family homes. The fact that each Berber carpet is unique ,no two are exactly alike ,only heightens the appeal for consumers seeking authenticity in their spaces. In the end, choosing a Moroccan textile is about more than pattern or fiber content. It is a vote for slow design, for preserving heritage, and for ethical consumption. For homeowners, the pay-off is tangible: plush, warm flooring that wears gracefully. But the emotional and cultural returns can be even greater. As one cooperative founder puts it, when a woman weaves a carpet, 'it's something very special and very important.' Each knot embodies hours of skilled labor and personal expression. Buying that rug means carrying forward a piece of Amazigh culture and supporting the women who keep it alive. In a disposable age, Moroccan rugs remind us that the best home accents are also cultural investments. They are built to become tomorrow's family heirlooms, carrying stories and traditions across continents. As the design community likes to say, this isn't just decor, it's a living link to history. Original Source of the original story >> How Moroccan Rugs Became a Global Symbol of Sustainable Luxury
