Amanjena

Amanjena (meaning "peaceful paradise")[1] is a luxury hotel and resort, situated in Palmeraie, a southeastern suburb of Marrakesh, Morocco. Built in 2000, it is one of the most exclusive hotels and the first Aman Resort on the African continent. It has a 21-hole course, a well-stocked library and an outdoor swimming pool set amidst hibiscus bushes.[2] In May 2015, David Beckham celebrated his 40th birthday at the hotel.

Amanjena
General information
LocationMarrakech, Morocco
OwnerAman Resorts

Background

Amanjena is situated in Marrakesh's Palmeraie, along the road to Ouarzazate, just outside Morocco’s UNESCO-protected city of Marrakech in an area where the river valleys of Draa and Dadès merge with the Sahara desert.[3] The resort is set in the backdrop of a hill which rises to a height of 13,000 feet (4,000 m), in the surroundings of an olive orchard of the Almoravid period.[2][4] There are views of the Atlas Mountains.[5]

The 2010 movie Sex and the City 2 was filmed at Amanjena. In May 2015, David Beckham celebrated his 40th birthday at the hotel,[6] along with guests Gordon Ramsay and Tana Ramsay, David Gardner and Liv Tyler, the Spice Girls, Eva Longoria, Tom Cruise, David Blaine, Guy Ritchie and Vanessa Feltz.[7]

Architecture

Amanjena was designed by architect Ed Tuttle, and built over a period of two years. The Moorish architecture[6] is in the Arabic/Moroccan traditional style,[4] consisting of 32 pavilions and seven houses ("maisons"), with contemporary interiors.[5] The design incorporates the Moorish building practice of pise, packed-earth structures, such as is incorporated in the nearby Berber village structures.[2] The colour scheme matches the Red City buildings of Marrakesh. The structure is of stone, pale peach in color, with pink, honey and sage green paint colors used throughout the building.[5]

The massive entry door emulates that of an ancient Arab civilization. Amanjena has a very large lobby in the Moorish style, and features jade-coloured fountains.[2] The lobby is patterned on the lines of a caravanserai, an Ogres suggestive of the Mezquita, the Mosque of Cordoba, with colonnades which open into water fronts.[4] Other features include, sandy clay roofing,[8] two-storeyed lounges, internal patios which face fountains, arches, chiselled pillars, glazed Moroccan tiles, and a frieze of ziggurat design. Various decorating techniques are used, such as écaille de poisson for the zellige and plâtre ciselé for the walls.[5]

The rooms have high ceilings and are furnished with Berber carpets and lanterns. Eight of the pavilions have their own private garden oasis and pool, while six overlook the main pool. The maisons are modeled on the typical Moroccan townhouse.[2] Amanjena features a library,[5] and two restaurants. The main restaurant is designed with a 6 metres (20 ft) high ceiling and 80 pillars made of onyx, while another restaurant serves Japanese cuisine. In addition to the large pool, there is a gym and a spa, which features a hammam, sauna, and steam room.[2][8]

References
  1. Maiwald 2012, p. 43.
  2. Kunz 2004, p. 43.
  3. "Amanjene, Luxe Travel".
  4. Listri & Rey 2005, p. 156.
  5. "Amanjena hotel, Marrakesh, Morocco: review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  6. "David Beckham's 40th birthday party hotel - in pictures". The Daily Telegraph. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  7. "David Beckham's birthday: Liv Tyler, Gordon Ramsay and Vanessa Feltz touch down in Marrakesh ahead of party". The Mirror. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  8. Arieff & Burkhart 2005, p. 17.

Sources

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