New to Van Clarke? Subscribe to our newsletter for 10% off your first order. Start your haircare journey today.

Winter Sun - Marrakech

February 04, 2023

Winter Sun - Marrakech

When Aman Resorts gate crashed the 5-star market in 1987 it blew the gilt off luxury and ushered in a quieter understated hospitality.

Instead of overt excess, luxury could be less. Less bells, less whistles and most importantly, less other people. Here was a resort with fewer than 50 rooms where palatial minimalism met monastic serenity in stunning surroundings. Where all the staff knew your name, and you weren’t asked to sign any bills.

Now 34 resorts span 20 countries and in each, the temple-like tranquillity built into their design seems to slow and quieten the spirit to a more soulful awareness.

My first Aman experience was in Courchevel at Le Melezin, their fifth, and the only property that didn’t start with the Aman moniker. I wasn’t even familiar with the Amans in the far east at the time but loved Le Melezin which was so beautifully different and happily returned in the following years as our girls learnt to ski.

Amanjena v Mandarin Oriental

We travelled late November and split our stay across the two resorts on the quiet outskirts of Marrakech. Flights were under three hours and luckily, the airports efficient. Weather was a comfortable 28 degrees.

At Amanjena, acres of light salmon terracotta line the vast pool areas. No pressure to do or be, but anything you want will be provided. 

Moving to the Mandarin Oriental for comparison, we immediately felt reconnected with global glitz in the lavishly decorated lobby areas.

But the scale of the private accommodation and refined service won us over pretty sharpish. 

The one-bedroom villas are enormous both inside and out, with private pooled-courtyard having log fires, kitchen and more sofas and loungers than a DFS showroom. Had we known we’d have invited 50 friends.

No winner for us, as we’d happily return to either of them.

Michael Van Clarke

 

 

 





Also in Blogs

Gaby's Bakery - Individual Mini Egg Easter Cakes
Gaby's Bakery - Individual Mini Egg Easter Cakes

March 16, 2024

Here's a way to bring some colour and the joys of Spring into the home. I had to barricade the chocolate eggs from the family whilst baking, else I'd have had none left for the cakes.

Continue Reading

I've Been Trolled
I've Been Trolled

March 15, 2024

A few weeks back I had another barrage of abuse from hairdressers on Tiktok. And all over a video that influencer Melissa Varnavas had posted. The issue was around cost, but personal attacks included me wearing a suit and apprentices being called slaves etc. (they assist as part of their deep learning).

Continue Reading

Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships

March 15, 2024

The TikTok keyboard trolls got themselves into a tizzy over my use of assistants. I was accused of using them as slaves, human hair clips, that I had them for ornaments to massage my ego, that it was so awful for viewers to see that they must have been watching a parody sketch. Haha!

Continue Reading