La Gazelle D'Or by Jamie Dunford Wood

The boutique hotel Gazelle d'Or is one of Morocco’s most special places to stay. It is found in a spectacular setting in the lee of the Atlas mountains, amidst perfectly manicured lawns and rose gardens. The Gazelle d'Or has long been the favoured haunt of politicians, in particular the English and the Germans. The boutique hotel’s location, Taroudant, is hot and dusty in summer, but the souk is rather less frantic than Marrakech. Go horse riding in the Atlas from the hotel, or take a drive up through the stunning Tichka pass. Otherwise just stay where you are.

Quiet off season, and a clubby atmosphere and many returning guests at other times.

The facilities

The Gazelle d’Or is a haven from the busy modern world. The boutique hotel has a quiet, discreet atmosphere that lets guests relax in beautiful surroundings.

Hammam is on offer, with full body scrubs from burly Moroccan women and men, and there’s a fine pool well hidden behind manicured hedges. Expend some energy by playing tennis.

The excellent Gazelle d’Or restaurant offers full course cous-cous dinners, and breakfast on the private terrace in front of your bungalow overlooking the lawns - where a request for extra butter will send the waiter back the half mile to the kitchen to fetch it.

The rooms

All of the boutique hotel’s 40 bungalow rooms are sumptuously furnished and decorated in terracotta and burnt scarlet/mandarin colours. All have ensuite bathrooms, large fireplaces and private terraces.