“FROM THE MOMENT YOU DRIVE THROUGH THE GATES, YOU ENTER ANOTHER REALM, WHERE LUXURY AND OPULENCE COME AS STANDARD.”
However, as much as there has been no expense spared in the refurbishment process, I felt that the service level was not quite up to scratch. The staff were polite enough and willing to help, but the lack of urgency in dealing with queries was a bit disturbing. A few things that come to mind are: having had to ask for a plug adaptor about five times in 24 hours, having to change suites due to the phone and some plug points not working, and in the Spa the treatment rooms were noisy and cold. Instead of coming out feeling relaxed, I was more agitated then when I went in! But it’s not all doom and gloom, and I do see the PGP being a fantastic place to go to once these teething problems are sorted out. Whilst we were there in mid December, which is the low season, the complex looked like a ghost town with minimal occupancy. However, when the weather starts to warm up and there are more people around, I think the properties will really start to come into their own. www.pgpmarrakech.com
etc.), a small dipping pool in the middle and a rooftop restaurant. However, the difference in size did nothing to dampen the spirit or character of the place. A mere few minutes from the madness of the souks, it really is a little haven tucked away in one of the many hundreds of winding alleys The Perle is also very distinctive in its interior design and furnishings. Kitted out fully in art-deco with influences of Stark and Newton visible everywhere you look, this is one cool boutique hotel. All the rooms are fitted with Bang & Oulfsen plasmas, DVD players and music systems. If you are looking for a chic and sexy riad that’s centrally located, the Perle should be the first on your list. www.riadslotus.com Ataur Rahman Additional research by Ivan Petersen and Clara Thomas
FACTBOX: Complete Tours Email: complete@menara.ma Tel: +212 4882 3402 www.complete-tours.com Atlas Blue (for the first trip) Email: contact@atlas-blue.com Tel: 0207 307 5803 www.atlas-blue.com
RIAD PERLE LOTUS Our next stay was at the completely contrasting Riad Perle Lotus, a boutique hotel in the heart of the Medina. The Perle is tiny when compared to the Tamadot. It has five individually themed rooms, named after icons (Gatsby, Chanel, Cartier
Cadogan Holidays, using GB Airways for flights (for the second trip to the PGP) Tel: 0845 615 6793 www.cadoganholidays.com
RIAD PERLE LOTUS
URBAN LIFE MARRAKECH PG 48-53.indd 7
RIAD PERLE LOTUS
URBAN LIFE 53
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