Review of Les Jardins de la Medina, by Joanna Monkhouse

Les Jardins de la Medina brings together the century-old gardens and atmospheric premises of a princess's riad and a stylishly sympathetic renovation, to create one of the most beautifully understated of all boutique hotels in Marrakech.

In the midst of gardens of jacarandas, olive and citrus trees, Les Jardins de la Medina boasts a pale blue pool, surrounded by sun loungers (a couple of which actually lie in the shallow end - perfect for cooling off on broiling hot afternoons). It's all too easy to spend the day lying in the sun, listening to the breeze in the towering palms and generally forgetting that you're in the centre of a bustling city.

Les Jardins de la Medina has a rooftop Moroccan salon with low cushioned sofas and a panoramic terrace on the second floor, with views of the medina and the Atlas mountains. Dinner is served in the courtyard, under floodlit palms with candle lanterns hanging in the trees, creating a jungle-like atmosphere. The menu is à la carte - a European twist on Moroccan cuisine - and the result works well; presentation is good and prices are reasonable.

Although little remains of the original palace, the 36 rooms of Les Jardins de la Medina are calm and chic (white walls, grey tadelakt, white-fringed curtains, bright woven bedspreads) and have the benefits of a modern hotel: satellite TV, telephone, minibar and room service. Some bathrooms are alcoved, one for the bath and a second hidden behind another white curtain containing the toilet, while others have huge tadelakt baths.

The ground floor rooms have French doors opening onto a small garden area with a table and chairs, upper floors have a balcony or private terrace, some have showers to cool off under. The cool, dark corridor behind the rooms has mud-lined walls and is lit by lanterns and brass wall lamps at ankle height.

The hotel has recently completed renovations of its 21 rooms and bathrooms as well as the warm and welcoming bar and reception area. The garden has also been rejuvenated, confirming its rank as the best interior garden in Marrakech. The hotel offers cooking lessons and a spa and beauty treatment menu produced in collaboration with Les Sens de Marrakech.