Hotel Review: Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech

Arrive by travelling just over seven miles southwest of the city on Route d'Amizmiz through a flat, desert landscape. This is a grand but isolated resort where you'll need a car or taxi to do anything beyond its boundaries. Transfers to and from the airport or medina take 20 minutes and there is complimentary parking. There is plenty to do here, including for children, plus a concierge desk for arranging excursions and sightseeing.

By plane: direct flights from London to Marrakech Menara take around 4 hours. The hotel is a 20-minute drive from the airport. Free parking on-site. Book flights to Marrakech.

French designer Marilin Sapataro has created a spacious and luxurious five-star resort that can't fail to impress, and it will seem particularly heavenly if you are into golf or seeking quality time with your children. While the rooms are restful and private, there is plenty of life poolside and in the restaurants.

The 185-acre Fairmont Royal Palm Golf and Country Club is a star attraction with its Cabell B Robinson-designed 18-hole course and companion semi-Olympic size pool, bar and lunchtime restaurant. The resort also has four floodlit clay tennis courts, a squash court, a yoga studio, a concept store and ATM.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Terrace
• Garden
• Swimming pool
• Fitness centre
• Spa
• Kids' club
• Tennis courts
• Golf course
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms, suites and villas look towards the golf course, gardens and Atlas Mountains and you'll need to be driven by golf cart to some of them. Their mood is subdued and elegant with carved woodwork and photographs of Moroccan scenes adding a sense of place.

Room types: Deluxe Room, Junior Suite, Deluxe Suite, Family Suite, Penthouse Suite, Presidential Suite, Prince Villa

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom, bathrobes, hairdryer, tea and coffee facilities, TV, free Wi-Fi

Had enough tagine and couscous? Domo is an upscale Mexican restaurant that comes with metal cacti and a mariachi band four nights a week. There's also L'Olivier serving Mediterranean dishes by the pool and the upper-level, dinner-only Al Aïn with classic Moroccan dishes including an enjoyable starter of six sh'hiwates (mini-salads).

Domo: Mexican cuisine. Dishes include ceviche, tacos and enchiladas. Open daily for dinner.

L'Olivier: light and contemporary Mediterranean cuisine by the pool. Open daily for lunch.

Al Aïn: Moroccan cuisine. Open daily for dinner.