El Morocco Inn & Spa Transports Guests to Dreamy World of the Kasbah

Luxury boutique inspired by the beauty and intrigue of Marrakesh

Karen Graninger Hotels & Resorts

 

VIDEO: Take a trip to the Kasbah with this tour of El Morocco Inn & Spa.

 

 

Located on a quiet street, the private hideaway is unassuming from the street, but wait until you walk through the front door.

You'll think you've been transported to the dreamy world of the Kasbah.

El Morocco Inn & Spa is a 12 room luxury boutique hotel in Desert Hot Springs inspired by the beauty and intrigue of Marrakesh.

 

Playground in a Sultan's tent. Yoga, pilates, and other exercise take place in this outdoor tent in the garden.

 

The curtained front reception area takes you to the sunlit natural mineral water fed swimming pool. To your right is the bar, offering shade under a “roof” of billowy, sheer swathes of luminscent fabric. A nightly cocktail hour includes the famous “Morocco-tini.”

Decor, fabrics, color, and lovingly thought out architectural details abound amid the sitting areas, fire pits and gardens. Innkeeper Bruce Abney, who owns El Morocco with John Aguilar, says, “Most of the furniture and décor you see is from Morocco. The beautifully textured fabric is all hand woven from Morocco. There are wild stories behind each piece which give a beautiful authenticity to our guests' experience with us.”

 

The Sheik's Retreat – Room 105. Deep blues and lilacs blend with rich reds in this bed chamber to create a dream world.

 

After a late night apertif while watching Casablanca in the fully-stocked Kasbah Lounge and Library, time for your “Bedchambre”. The enchanting finishes and translucent canopied beds provide a sensual romantic opportunity to lose yourself in the moment. All rooms have a “Dream Deeply” California king bed or 7 foot round bed, imported Moroccan furniture and fabric, luxury bath amenities, and “Bogart” style bathrobes. A mini-fridge and microwave allow you to add your own treats into the mix.

 

A kitchen of hidden delights here. Pastries, bagels, hard boiled eggs, fresh fruits, juices, press coffee and exotic teas are just the beginning at breakfast in the morning.

 

Wake up well rested and enjoy an exquisite continental breakfast featuring El Morocco's signature mint tea. Head out to the side garden with bocce ball, giant chess, hammocks for lounging and croquet. And, of course, don't forget the Sultan's Tent, where yoga, pilates and other exercise classes take place. Then heat up in the Far Infra-red sauna, followed by a relaxing soak in the shaded heated mineral water spa.

El Morocco's award-winning full service spa, offers day use even if you're not a hotel guest, so everyone can experience the Moroccan Mystical Ritual Total Body Treatment and Massage. It's two hours long. The spa also offers discount packages.

 

The natural mineral water pool at El Morocco Inn and Spa among the lanterns, bold, textured fabrics, and cool Moroccan mint tea drinks.

 

Hotel Essentials:

• Learn how to fold an origami camel

• Sip a Moroccan Arnold Palmer: Lemonade and Mint Tea

• Hear stories behind the furniture and décor

• A Moroccan hand-washing ritual

• A Rhassoul clay (clay mined from beneath the Atlas mountains in Eastern Morocco) body mask.

El Morocco Inn & Spa, 66180 4th St., Desert Hot Springs, 888-288-9905; www.elmoroccoinn.com

 

Follow Karen on Twitter: @gloriousallianc

What other hotels have we profiled: Hotel Essentials

 

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