Review of Villas Fawakay, by Belinda Jackson

Set in a quiet Moroccan village only 20 minutes from the intensity of Marrakech, the three villas of Villas Fawakay blend the best of both worlds. Amidst gardens of roses, olive trees and rosemary hedges, Villas Fawakay's two peacocks wander, as does Doris the donkey, and guests can mingle by the communal pool and 'gentleman's' honour bar, or keep it low-key by dining on the terrace and cooling off in their villa's plunge pool. Designed and hosted by the engaging Boys-Stone family, each villa has a surprise escape at the bottom of the garden - an authentic Bedouin tent or Moroccan summerhouse, just the spot for a revitalising mint tea.

The villas' gem of a chef, Bouchera, caters for all guests and offers a chance to try local dishes such as tagines, and her tart passion-fruit jam on the breakfast table is sensational. She also runs Moroccan cooking classes. Villas Fawakay's tariff includes breakfast and 6pm canapés, and full board is available. For dinner parties, guests can use the family's large dining room, which looks out onto the manicured gardens and pool. Each villa has a pantry with fridge for chilling drinks, coffee and tea facilities.

Moroccan beauty treatments are available within the villas, using such traditional ingredients as honey, orange flower and salt. The property has its own tennis court and there are also three 18-hole golf courses in a 15-minute radius of the villas. Dawn Boys-Stone is a consummate shopper and can arrange shopping trips, recommend restaurants and guides for the centre of Marrakech as well as day trips further afield. A taxi service is available.

There are three freestanding villas with two or three bedrooms in two pavilions, each bedroom has an ensuite and blends the best of Moroccan handicrafts, fabrics and furnishings with a deft, modern touch. Each has its own plunge pool, sunken baths, flatscreen tv and DVDs, with wireless internet available, and the terraces can be set for sunny breakfasts and starlit dinners. The villas can be rented by the room, by the villa (the last villa is the most private), or with exclusive use of the whole property, making it ideal for large family gatherings and weddings.