After a stressful fall, I needed, simply put, a vacation. A two hour flight from Paris, Marrakech seemed like the natural destination close to home to relax, while experiencing the sights, sounds, and cuisine of Morocco. Lucky for me, Dar Ayniwen Villa Hotel was the paradise I was looking for.

This family run hotel provides the perfect combination of comfort, elegance, and peace that I needed. Its attentive staff, and its charming gregarious owner Stephane, truly know how to make their guests feel ‘at home’ in the elegance and comfort. I would recommend this jewel to anyone seeking beauty and relaxation on an intimate scale. The rose petals sprinkled around my room upon arrival were enough to make me feel like the princess of this paradise – and that was just the beginning.

everything about it was wonderful. we were upgraded to the galaxy suite, which was lovely as it was our honeymoon. we had no less than 3 balconies, with lovely views of the grounds. the food was wonderful as were the staff. we were met on our arrival by the owner who showed us round, and Aziz was wonderful at arranging our trips into the city. I would come to this hotel again simply to stay there for a few days peace and quiet and not even leave the grounds.

This place is a gem. I say this reluctantly because, selfishly, I'd hate it to be overrun... Initially, we were struck by the unexpected oasis that opens up immediately you enter its gates: little paths and arbours with water features run around the sides of the old house, while you enter through magnificent, ancient-looking main doors into an elegant, almost country-house-with-a-Moroccan-twist style, elegant domed hallway.

We were exceptionally lucky to be upgraded to the Pavillion suite for the first 4 nights of our stay. This is in the garden, opposite the pool but reached through a curtain of fig trees along a private brick path and across a curtained terrace for additional privacy. Utterly stunning! The suite has its own private hot tub under a pemanent and substantial awning, in a private garden to the side of the suite, although as we stayed in August, it was a little too hot to want to make use of it. The suite itself is big enough to be a permanent home for two people really - and offered a real and unexpected taste of luxury. With two bathrooms, its own entrance hall, large sitting/dining room across the front and reasonable bedroom space with ample fitted cupboards, I'm sure any run of the mill estate agent here would have a simple task selling it!

For me, being able to breakfast in semi privacy behind curtains yet still outside, was a total joy. Breakfast was always delicious, a mixture of continental and Morrocan - and arrives at your choice of time, complete with fresh white linen every time. I particularly love the orange juice there: somehow softer, fuller and less acidically attacking than juice you get anywhere else.

The gardens are gorgeous and beautifully maintained - lots of little paths to follow and exotic birds in big aviaries. The only thing that made me uncomfortable (probably a 'soft' European reaction to a normal Moroccan food source), were the rabbits kept in very small cages with no room to move in the outside heat of the day.. Apart from that, there was also the joy of coming across roaming tortoises wherever we went!

The welcome we received was personal, thoughtful and sincere. Guests are given a tour of the house and grounds on arrival, together with a taste of Morocco in the form of apple tea and some local pastries. The owner, manager and staff are all delightful and cannot do enough to help, inform and make each guest feel individual and comfortable. The whole place seems infused with scent of rich, warm, musky spices that just adds to the sense of relaxation.

We stayed during the Muslim month of Ramadan - and according to some other guests who were return visitors, the discipline of fasting on some of the staff and locals in the markets, did take its toll on the level of service. However, as novices, we didn't notice it in dar Ayniwen, although in Marrakesh itself near sundown, which was really the only comfortable time to go into the city as far as heat was concerned, the stallholders did tend to be more aggressive and surly. Despite this though, we enjoyed some lovely meals eaten at balcony restaurants watching as the main square came to life after evening prayers. Still though, coming back afterwards to dar Ayniwen was perfect antidote to the city madness.

The shuttlebusses were convenient, free (except for tips!) and the drivers without exception, friendly and helpful.

We did tip a lot. Not to high values, but more to acknowledge the wonderful level of service - and although not necessarily expected at the hotel, definitely appreciated and the right thing to do. Make sure you have lots of 20 dirham bills to hand..

Overall, a proper break in a beautiful setting with proper, fantastic value service and welcome. Will we go back? Definitely!!

I went here for my birthday week celebration and feel almost like I'm wasting time writing this review because I could easily say "Ditto" or "What the others Said". So, I will be brief but clear.
I travel at least 20 nights a year for pleasure and 60 - 80 nights a year for business. I stay in 5-star hotels whever they are available, love comfort but want to feel like I am in a different country when travelling to ... a different country. And I don't want to be treated like a king but I do want to be appreciated as a guest. And I LOVED THIS PLACE.

Plus (most of what others said is trueas well but here are the standouts):
- Manager and staff will do anything for you. Aziz is a rockstar!! Want a ride to a restaurant, booked by the manager? You've got it. Need a few movies in your room? Sure. Breakfast in bed? No problem. Tour of neighborhood on way to a spa at a competing hotel? No worries.

- Suites are ginormous, comfortable, and clean. Each is unique and make you feel as if you have a special apartment in an old (but not dated) chalet ... or I guess Riad.

- Grounds are unique and beautiful, with many many more birds than I expected. Lovely gardens that I imagine woudl be phenom during or after the rainy season.

- Bonus points for not only have an adaptor in the suite but having one with multiple outlets.

- Flower petals everywhere when they clean your suite. Great toiletries and amenties in the room.

- Peace and quiet. I had no idea the place was fully booked when we were there. It was SOOO quiet. Serene.

Negatives (that should be considered by the management for the future but by no means negatively impact the stay):

- Calling the Spa such is a bit of a stretch. A tiny room staffed by someone that can give manicures and pedicures doth not a spa make. The offset - if you want a proper spa, Aziz will arrange one for you. The one on site is tucked away in a strange area of the home where I cant imagine actually going for a massage. And one night I saw people sleeping in the room across from the Hammam, which freaked me out because I accidentally opened the door....

- The food in the restaurant is ok but not amazing, and the breakfast is just ok. But, it's more like eating at home with your family. The food doesnt always knowkc your socks off but the community, the friendly service and the fact that you can eat pretty much anywhere on the estate make it worth a few meals.