Located in Marrakech, Dar Zemora offers an exceptional escape with its outdoor pool and restaurant. Free WiFi access is available for guests. Situated at 72 Rue el Aandalib, Palmerais in Annakhil, it is approximately 1.7 miles from the center of Marrakech. Dar Zemora is a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of the Medina. The hotel is 3.1 km from Souk of the Medina, 3.2 km from Djemaa El Fna and 3.2 km from Marrakech Medina. Marrakech-Menara Airport is 8 km away.
Overview
Hands up everyone who’s been on holiday, and spent their final, rosé-soaked lunch planning how they’re going to buy a property on the island/beach/city (delete as applicable) and move there part-time/full-time/when they retire (again, delete as applicable). Hands up who’s actually done it. Those hands at the back belong to Lindsay and Paul Kentish, who’d always dreamt of buying a winter home for themselves in Morocco, but through luck or circumstance didn’t end up with just a house, but a whole plot of land in the Palmerie on the outskirts of Marrakech, and turned it not just into a weekend retreat for themselves, but a boutique hotel, too. Lucky us.
Note to Marrakech newbies: ‘Palmerie’ sounds like a beautiful oasis outside the city… it’s not really. There are plenty of palms, but this is less Arabian nights, and more criss-crossed roads and broken down housing. It is, however, home to some beautiful hotels and a great retreat from the madness of the medina, if a trek up into the Atlas Mountains is too much of a stretch.
Many of the staff have been at Dar Zemora since it opened in 2003, and that ‘nothing is too much trouble’ motto that so many hotels quote with wanton abandon really does ring true here. So, when it was too chilly on the March night we stayed, a fire was whipped up in our room, and when we woke up the next morning, straw hats were already laid out on the wrought iron loungers on what they bill as a terrace, but is essentially an entire rooftop.
Each room is equipped with air conditioning, an iPod dock, and a seating area. The private bathroom features a shower, bath, and hairdryer. Guests can enjoy garden views from their rooms. Other facilities include a hammam, garden, and terrace. The property offers free parking, luggage storage, ironing service, and laundry facilities.
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Lindsay and Paul Kentish created Dar Zemora not just as a weekend retreat for themselves, but as a boutique hotel. While this property ended up being big enough for Lindsay and Paul to fling open its beautiful wooden door to paying guests as well as family, it’s small enough that if you want to book the whole place, you can turn it into the perfect retreat for your own extended family vacation. There are six rooms, with the beautiful, four-poster La Perla suite (where we stayed) definitely the one to snag if you do invite friends to join.
This is a place for idle games and lounging around, with outdoor terraces liberally scattered with cushions and drapes, and spacious rooms full of places to curl up with a book.
Perfectly rated on TripAdvisor (5 Stars), Dar Zemora is a welcomed oasis in the middle of what can sometimes be considered a ‘hectic’ location (Marrakesh). If you’re looking to enjoy Marrakesh at your own pace, this is the PERFECT accommodation for you. Dar Zemora is a converted luxury villa that has multiple rooms, common areas, and substantial square footage for people to roam peacefully. There’s a wall surrounding the property to provide privacy and you’re able to roam the grounds freely without worry. This would be ideal for a wedding or large private party as everyone could live on the same property. Our individual room was incredible. We had two double beds, a private balcony to take afternoon tea, and an incredible bathroom that was covered in lush Moroccan trimmings.
The Villa is in the middle of a large, protected estate and there is a real sense of peace to the property. There are wild turtles that sunbathe alongside patrons whilst the birds sing in the sunlight. In the center of the Villa, there are multiple common rooms for people to enjoy downtime whilst taking tea or reading in the shade.
It's hard to believe that this idyllic hideaway is only a few miles from Marrakech's bustling Medina. There is a large swimming pool surrounded by a huge lawn and an adjacent terrace for al fresco dining. The six rooms are stylishly and tastefully appointed, and are only steps away from the pool. One of the suites comprises two rooms in a separate pavilion in the garden, with its own pool. For complete privacy or family stays, the self-contained pool pavilion has two bedrooms, a shared lounge, and private pool.
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Dining
Dinner is a one-choice affair, and didn’t blow us away (I would take a taxi into the medina for food on a repeat visit), but the evening experience is still pretty lovely: a glass of wine from the silver drinks trolley in front of a roaring fire and a game of chess before food.
We had breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner every day at Dar Zemora.
Because the hotel is so small, an à la carte restaurant is not appropriate. Instead, a two course lunch is served daily and dinner is served at 8.30pm and might consist of three courses of Moroccan fine cuisine, or a tasting menu of more international dishes.
Our Cooks provide a two course lunch and then a 3 course Modern Moroccan Dinner each evening except Sunday when a more Traditional 4 course menu is served. They only prepare one menu per meal time with no choice but they can incorporate any special dietary requirement with prior knowledge.
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The Zemora breakfast, consists of freshly squeezed orange juice (often from the garden), yogurt, fruit plate, homemade bread basket, eggs and coffee or tea.
Available dining options include packed lunches, special diet menus (on request), and breakfast in the room. Food can also be delivered to guest accommodations.
Experiences
Camel Rides: My mother came to Morocco with one goal in mind: to ride a camel. Within a single hour, Dar Zemora was able to source two camels and a wonderful guide to take us around the neighborhood. He was incredibly friendly and spoke perfect English. He has educated us on the history of Morocco and gave us a brief insight into his lifelong career working with camels.
Spa: We had a 1-hour massage in the Spa with two wonderful women. It was so relaxing to have a quiet space to talk and reflect on this incredible experience we were sharing.
Tours: Whilst we didn’t schedule any tours with Dar Zemora, I did speak with other people at the resort who raved about the experiences that Dar Zemora provided for them.
Why Choose Dar Zemora?
The relaxed atmosphere and the friendly service. Not far from the Marjorelle Gardens and the new YSL museum. Medina and Souks only 15 minutes by car.
Rooms
The Zahara Suite and the Perla Suite are the most popular for the additional space and the king size four poster beds. The Zahara Suite has the terrace overlooking the gardens and close to the swimming pool and the Perla Suite has its enormous and private roof terrace.
Facilities for Children
We do not have a “kids club”but our Cook is happy to provide early supper with more child friendly menus, our housekeeping staff are happy to baby sit in the evenings. We have a few rooms that can fit an extra bed (GBP 50 per night) or a cot (free)
Amenities
- Outdoor pool
- Spa and wellness center
- Restaurant
- Bar/Lounge
- Room service
- Free Wi-Fi
- Free toiletries
- Laundry facilities
- Hairdryer
- Air-conditioned
- Garden
- Terrace/Patio
- Balcony
Location
Dar Zemora is located at 72 Rue el Aandalib, Palmerais in Annakhil, 1.7 miles from the center of Marrakech. Ben Youssef Madrasa is the closest landmark to Dar Zemora.
Nearby attractions include:
- Ben Youssef Madrasa (1.6 mi)
- Ben Youssef Mosque (1.6 mi)
- Almoravid Koubba (1.6 mi)
- Marrakech Museum (1.6 mi)
- Jamaa el Fna (2 mi)
- Bahia Palace (2.2 mi)
- Marrakech City Centre (2.3 mi)
- Mosquée de la Koutoubia (2.3 mi)
- El Badi Palace (2.4 mi)
- Royal Palace (2.6 mi)
- Le Grand Casino de la Mamounia (2.6 mi)
- Saadian Tombs (2.6 mi)
Transportation
Dar Zemora is 4.8 miles from Marrakech Menara. Dar Zemora is 80 miles from Ouarzazate.
Transportation options include an airport shuttle (surcharge) and shuttle service (additional charge).
Reviews
Dar Zemora has a Wonderful rating based on 226 verified guest reviews.
Comparison
Here's a comparison between Moroccan House Hotel and Dar Zemora:
| Hotel | Location | Amenities | Expert Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moroccan House Hotel | 3, Rue Loubnane, Guéliz, Marrakech, Morocco | Free Internet, Room Service, Free Breakfast, Concierge, Restaurant, Pool | Fodor's: "It's a well-priced option with spacious rooms, lots of character, and a friendly atmosphere." Frommer's: "Moroccan maximalism describes this cheerful Guéliz hotel-frills, four-poster beds, and over-the-top plasterwork" |
| Dar Zemora | Rue el Aandalib, BP 12013, Marrakech 40000, Morocco | Bar/Lounge, Free Internet, Room Service, Free Breakfast, Laundry Service, Concierge | Frommer's: "Paul and Lindsay Kentish's discreet boutique villa is a perfect retreat from the dust and hustle." Rough Guide: "This British-owned luxury villa, stylishly embellished with a mix of traditional and modern features, has a pleasant garden with a pool, a masseur on call and a view of the Atlas mountains." |
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