Just walking into the Dar Sabra hotel, (House of the Agave), located in the Palmeraie de Marrakech, is an aesthetical choc : a vegetal cow, work of sculptor Richard Di Rosa, one of the founders of “Figuration libre,” watches over this splendid house with a cubist architecture in pink ochre hues, property of a leading contemporary art collector , François Chapoutot…
In reality, this is only the beginning of the surprise, since the main house, superbly elegant with its salons and Winter dining room, that harmoniously mingle African art, contemporary and Moroccan, opens up on a labyrinth or pools and gardens, enhancing by the works of sculptors and painters from around the worl ; plantations ranging from agaves to palm trees and centennial olive trees, including the Summer bar and the new wing of the hotel, everything here is an ode to streamlined softness. Everything is awakened by the blue sky of Marrakech and the works, reproduced in ceramic of the Icelandic painter Erro, one of the favorite artists of the owner, whose style is close to the one of Roy Liechtenstein. Personally, we prefer the white pyramid of Dutchamn Mark Brusse or the sheet metal Gorilla by the Mexican Rodrigo Solorzano, but that’s totally subjective…
At the end of the main pool, the red arc is signed by Italian artist Mauro Staccioli, is reflected in the water like a huge kiss, prolonged by another pool on the edge of the new suites, with as background canvas, a large golden sundial. If in February or March, the water temperature is still chilly, you can already work on your tan with a sun of 22 and 25° to between 11am am and 5pm. In the evening, woollies and pashminas are highly recommended!
From discovery to discovery, one might forget that this is not a museum. The 20 rooms are decorated with refinement in different ambiances: Zen, African, Oriental and Art Deco… The restaurant is very friendly mixing French and Moroccan cuisines. Downside, the menu is a little on the short side if you spend more than 3 or 4 days…On the upside, the welcome of the staff, the fitness room, spa with hammam, jacuzzi and massages (as supplements), beaten earth tennis courts and free shuttles 3 time/day in Winter going to the mythical Place Jemaa el Fna…
Anne Lefèvre
Rooms with breakfast starting at 175 €
