Brad Pitt and David Bowie are among the high-profile guests who have visited Jnane (formerly Jnane Tamsana), in Palmeraie, not far from Marrakech. Jnane is the creation of Maryanne Loum-Martin, a Senegalese lawyer-turned-designer, and her husband, Cary J. Martin, an ethno-botanist from the United States. Photo by: Travel Intelligence

The twenty-four rooms are split between Jnane House, Jnane Salmia, and Maison des Voyageurs-Moussafir. The airy, grand architecture is all stunning adobe walls, Moroccan arches, and lush, bougainvillea-clad patios. Indoors lie handpicked textiles from Senegal, Morocco, and Asia. Rooms are furnished simply but beautifully with generous beds, chaise lounges, fireplaces, paintings, and flowers. There are three swimming pools (two are heated in winter), a tennis court, English and French libraries, and a recreation room with CD and DVD collections. Photo by: anilegna

Jnane means ”garden” in Arabic, and the gardens there are a huge natural attraction. Ingredients for the restaurant’s excellent Med-Morroccan food are grown there. The owners are also dedicated to furthering and exploring Marrakech’s cultural life and have devised a series of diversity excursions. Led by friendly, local university-educated guides, these tours take guests off the tourist track to provide unique insights. Photo by: ccarlstead

Photo by: whitemittens