Fodor's Expert Review La Maison Arabe

At the edge of the medina, with easy access to parking, taxis, and the main Djemâa el Fna square, La Maison Arabe is a stylish hotel offering old-fashioned charm and exceptional Moroccan hospitality. The design is an artful blend of Moorish and European, and each of the four courtyards offers grandeur on an intimate scale. Beautiful carved wooden paneling leads you through the old wing to discover the cool inner patio, reading rooms, piano bar, and an elegant Moroccan restaurant that's one of the best in Marrakesh. Most rooms have a fireplace and a balcony, and the hotel has a small (oddly placed) swimming pool and sun terraces above. There is a luxurious spa and hammam and guests also have access to a country club just outside Marrakesh, with a large pool and gardens. The house was once a famous restaurant, the first to serve Moroccan cuisine to such notables as Winston Churchill and Jackie Kennedy.