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AMANJENA
Marrakech
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THE STAY
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The short answer
At a glance
the iconic moorish pink arches of Amanjena
Overall
Peaceful paradise is the literal meaning of Amanjena, and honestly, that’s exactly what it felt like — zen, quiet, twelve minutes from Marrakech.
The LOCAtion
I smelled the orange blossoms before I saw a single wall. That’s the first thing that hits you on the drive in — not the architecture, not the gates, just this thick, sweet Moroccan smell hanging in the air, the kind you only get in March. By the time the car actually stopped, I’d already decided I liked this place.
It’s only about twelve minutes outside Marrakech, off the road to Ouarzazate, close enough to the airport that my private transfer took maybe fifteen minutes door to door. But you’d never guess how close it is once you’re inside. I’d just come off a full day in the medina — dust, noise, everyone trying to sell me something — and then suddenly I was through a few gates, the souks were gone, and three people were handing me tea before I’d even gotten my bag out of the car. The general manager introduced himself for about a minute, and then I was off to my room. It was eleven in the morning, the light was bright but not harsh, maybe seventy degrees, and I remember thinking: okay, this is going to be a good day.
The Vibe
Secluded & Private, Old World Romance
The story
Amanjena turned twenty-five in 2025, which is wild to think about walking through it now, because nothing about the place feels dated. Architect Ed Tuttle built it back in 2000, and he pulled a lot of the design from the Alhambra in Granada and from Marrakech’s own Menara gardens — you can see it in the arched passageways and the reflecting pools that show up again and again as you move through the property.
The on-site manager told me a little about the renovation they’d just finished for the anniversary — mostly updates to modernize the spaces and refresh the furniture, nothing that touched the bones of the place. They kept the pink tadelakt walls, the hand-laid zellige tile, all of that. What’s actually new is a two-level wellness center, a new Italian restaurant called Arva from a chef with Michelin training, and a three-bedroom pool villa that didn’t exist before. Twenty-five years in and it still feels like the same idea, just cleaner.
Amanjena means “peaceful paradise”. The name combines two roots: “aman,” which means “peace” or “peaceful” in Sanskrit, and “jena,” which means “paradise” in Arabic.
During march the sunset is later so the moon is also visible. Overlooking the right side of the large water feature/lake.
One of the fountains in the main entrance welcomes guests in the “tranquil oasis” that is Amanjena. Hotel employees wear traditional outfit and a formal Moroccan Fez hat.
The small touches such as local artisan handmade indoors shoes and outdoor cape, a tote bag, and other thoughfull touches are what makes a hotel feel elevated and intentional.
the rooms
I’d booked a regular pavilion, but when I got there they’d upgraded me to a Pool Pavilion, which was a nice surprise. It’s got its own private courtyard with a heated pool, a big domed ceiling, and those same pink walls from outside carried into the room. Honestly the whole thing felt bigger than it needed to be — a bedroom, a sitting area, and the courtyard all felt like separate rooms instead of one big open space.
Check-in came with a plate of dessert treats, a bottle of Amanjena’s own olive oil, and a bowl of tangerines that were in season right then. Turndown that night left a rose facial spray on my pillow. The pool being heated made a real difference — I got in around 7am and it wasn’t a shock to my system the way a cold pool would’ve been. But what actually surprised me most was how alone I felt, in a good way. One night there and I didn’t run into another guest — not in the hallway, not at the pool, not walking back from dinner. I don’t know if that’s the season or just how they’ve designed it, but it was quiet in a way I really needed.
Nihil hic deest: neque cibus, neque vinum, neque amor.
the Food & Beverage
I only had one night, so I only made it to one restaurant — the Moroccan Restaurant — and I’m glad that’s the one I got to. It’s dim, there’s live music playing low enough that you can still talk, and it might be the most romantic room on the property. Lanterns over every table, tables spaced out enough that you’re not sitting on top of the couple next to you. I had a seafood tajine with couscous, which was excellent — the couscous underneath had soaked up all that broth, and I could’ve eaten two more bowls of it. Afterward they brought Moroccan tea and cookies without me even asking.
They just added an Italian restaurant, Arva, during the renovation — the chef has Michelin-kitchen experience, so that’s on my list for next time. Breakfast is where they really showed off, though. Full menu, everything made to order, and I have to shout out the breakfast captain who set up a table for me outside without me asking and let me order more than one thing to try. Everything I had was genuinely delicious.
the wellness
I’ll be honest, I never made it to the spa — one night just wasn’t enough time, and I chose the pool over everything else. I did see the new wellness center they just built though, two floors, Technogym equipment, a yoga studio with its own fireplace. It still had that just-renovated smell, fresh rubber flooring and eucalyptus. The gym’s small, but there’s enough there to actually get a workout in, not just go through the motions.
The original Aman Spa is still there too, with the hammam and four treatment rooms, tucked off to the side of the new wellness building. Next time I go back, that’s the plan — hammam first, then whatever the therapist tells me I need. Even without the spa, the whole property feels built around water: the big pool at the center, and then a private one attached to almost every room.
WHAT MISSED THE MARK
The minibar isn’t included, which I didn’t realize until I saw it on my bill. The bigger issue was checkout — I’d already arranged my own ride back to Marrakech, and they added a transfer charge to my invoice anyway without checking with me first. A quick walk-through at check-in of what’s included and what isn’t would’ve saved me from having to question charges on my way out.
- Privacy
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- Couples
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- Honeymoons
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- Families
DON’T MISS
Don’t skip the pool — whichever one’s attached to your room, at whatever hour you’d never think to use a pool at home. And say yes to afternoon tea if they offer it, even if you’ve got somewhere to be. It’s one of the only times on a Marrakech trip where you’re not doing anything, you’re just sitting. It’s easy to trade that for another excursion through the concierge, but don’t. You’ll still get the excursion. You won’t get the stillness back.
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GOOD TO KNOW
Arrange your own transfer ahead of time — the drive from Marrakech is short, but having a car already booked makes the whole arrival feel easy instead of like a hassle. I’d say stay at least two nights, not one — one night is enough to fall for the place and not enough to actually enjoy it. If you can get a Pool Pavilion or above, do it. Having your own heated pool changes the whole stay. And ask at check-in exactly what’s included, so you’re not double-checking your bill on the way out.
value added perks
with booking with Coco Tran:
- Daily Breakfast for Two, Per Bedroom
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- Welcome Amenity
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- Hotel Credit: USD 100
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- One Category Room Upgrade at Time of Arrival, Based on Availability
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- Early Check-In/Late Check-Out, Based on Availability
LAST THOUGHTS
This is a couples’ hotel, and I think it knows it — the dim lighting in the restaurant, the fact that I didn’t see another guest all night, the little rose spray at turndown. For a one- or two-night stay, that’s exactly what it is: romantic, private, made for two people.
But then there’s the new three-bedroom pool villa, and that changes things a bit — there’s actually enough room and enough separation now to bring a family or do a longer multi-generational stay, which surprised me for a property this intimate.
If you’re trying to decide between this and staying inside the medina, I’d say book Amanjena for the reset, not the immersion. It’s twelve minutes from Marrakech and it feels like leaving the country. I’d tack it onto the end of a trip, not the middle. And yes, I’d go back — I’d stay two nights this time, and I’d actually make it to the spa.