ABTA Magazine: June 2008

It may be a bit off the beaten track, but the Murano Oriental Resort is worth making the effort to find. Located in La Palmeraie, about 10 minutes' cab ride from Marrakech centre, the hotel hasn't been open long but is already creating a stir. Housed in five riad buildings, accomodation has a traditional Moroccan feel but with some bold modern statements, including the blood-red tiled swimming pool and large murano glass chandeliers.

Minor teething problems aside – the air-conditioning didn't work in our first room, there were no umbrellas or shade by the swimming pool and the public areas had cracked tiles and unfinished pathways – the resort has the potential to be out of this world. The lounge area, along with the main restaurant and bar, is housed in one of the five riads and the food service is Moroccan-influenced-French in style.

The rooms are divided between the four remaining riads and each has its own pool, so guests are certain to find a quiet corner to escape to. Our room was large and airy, with a huge bed complete with white guaze canopy and two hot pink swivel chairs placed next to a fireplace. The bathroom was more manly, with dark stone and marble fixtures and fittings – even a black toilet roll!