MK Maison - Marrakech, Morocco

Finally a little peace in this crazy, mad, frenetic, crossroads of humanity that is Marrakech.

We're staying at the MK Maison a hip boutique hotel on the other side of the Old Medina. It's owned by British couple Paul & Aoibheann Hopkins who have created a slice of cool sophistication amongst the dust and alleyways. It has the most magical roof-top view of the city at sunset.

...the minaret of the famous Koutoubia mosque in the distance, hazy pollution blotting out the Atlas mountains, lanterns flickering and a chilled glass of local Moroccan chardonnay. It's a big call I know... but this may well have just become one of my most favourite places in the world..

The attention to furnishings and lighting shows what a wonderful eye both Paul (a well-known photographer) and his wife have.

This is the tear-shaped pool in the entrance courtyard - again invitingly lit.

Our room is flooded with light, stylish yet comfortable.

rose petals are strewn on the velvet bed cover...

Fresh roses and fruit and a oil burner to also greet us

The bathroom is a marble-polished curvaceous retreat.

...complete with a giant-sized rubber ducky, over-sized shower-head (which can give the whole bathroom a soak!)

A luxurious bath that cleanses away the dessert heat and sand

rose petals also adorn the vanity basin

fun and playfulness

exotic Moroccan toiletries

Every room has an iPod docking station but the chilled grooves from the hotel playlist set the mood

Afternoon sun streams in through the intricate metal shutters

It beckons us outside again onto the roof under the gently flapping saffron-coloured shades

This is were British chef Jamie Oliver filmed some of the cooking demonstrations in his recent hit show "Jamie's Food Escapes : Marrakech"
http://www.jamieoliver.com/cityguides/marrakesh

Pukka.

No wonder the international cooking star picked MK Maison ... what a backdrop!

MK Maison also has its own gastronomic credentials. Its restaurant Gastro MK features perfectly executed reinventions of traditional Moroccan dishes

This carrot and honey soup was spicy and sweet and beautifully balanced

crumbed quail eggs with beetroot carpaccio and dressed salad leaves

Grilled John Dory fillet with lentils, beetroot puree, lychee and caramelised mango spaghetti

leg of lamb confit with potato and carrot puree and couscous

And of course when the streets are this narrow this is how we moved hotels at the end of our very relaxing stay.

reservations...

manager : Mary Teare

mobile : +212 (0) 661 09 61 27

e: manager@maisonmk.com

hotel: +212 (0) 524 37 61 73
14 derb sebaai, quartier ksour, medina, marrakech, morocco

uk contact...

paul & aoibheann hopkins

uk mobile: +44 (0) 7733 265 658

uk landline: +44 (0)1428 682262
e:stay@maisonmk.com

Saucy Onion stayed as a guest of MK Maison

The Edible Balcony a bestseller

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