Dar Khettara

An elegant villa, and a magical place to stay, Dar Khettara is located in a peaceful countryside position in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Built in the traditional riad style it has terracotta external walls and a cool white inner, Andalucian-style, courtyard around which the rooms are laid out. It’s less than half an hour’s drive from the ancient medina of Marrakech and even closer there are several renowned golf courses and the Marrakech polo club.

The interiors are decorated in rich colours with sumptuous fabrics, Berber rugs, antique style furnishings, traditional zellige tiles and touches of marble. The large, light-filled sitting and dining room on the ground floor, features a marble-topped dining table, opulent furnishings and doors opening to the terraces. There are five ensuite bedrooms on this floor and a snug. The master suite is on the first floor. All bedrooms are very spacious with seating areas, private terraces and intricately decorated bathrooms. There’s a hammam and massage room on the first floor and doors leading to the large roof terrace and terrace bar.

Shaded, beautifully tiled terraces, with views of the mountains or the gardens, are furnished with classic rattan sofas and chairs, al fresco dining furniture and an array of potted plants. The whole ambience is refined and peaceful. The gardens are extensively planted with olive trees, palms, topiary and flowers. There’s a shady seating area with views of the rose beds a 17m swimming pool with large wooden sun loungers on the surrounding terrace and a pool house.