Amanjena (peaceful paradise) marked Aman’s debut on the African continent when it launched in 2000. Lying within an oasis of palm and olive trees close the ancient city of Marrakech and its famous Unesco-protected Medina, the resort lies adjacent to the 27-hole Amelkis Championship Golf Course. Known in Arabic as Al Medina al-Hamra, the ‘Red City’, due to its rose-hued structures, Marrakech was the inspiration behind Amanjena’s design. The resort’s walls echo the city’s old pisé (rammed-earth) buildings as well as the Berber villages that cling to the High Atlas Mountains. Green is also a predominant colour – the colour of paradise, royalty and abundance. Amanjena’s 10 rose-toned Pavilions, six Pavilions Bassin, 16 Pavilions Piscine, six two-story Maisons and the two-bedroom Maison Jardin and Al-Hamra Maison all radiate from the ancient bassin (irrigation pool) at the heart of the property. Set beneath stuccoed domes with arched entrances, vaulted ceilings and garden courtyards, the 40 Pavilions and Maisons are cool, elegant dwellings with Berber carpets scattered over zellij-tiled floors. Several offer private heated pools. The resort’s main 33-metre, heated swimming pool is overlooked by a terrace serving a Mediterranean menu. For dinner only, Nama, offers fine Japanese dining and exquisite sushi and sashimi. The Moroccan Restaurant is housed within the elegant reception pavilion and serves authentic Moroccan cuisine, as well as Italian. Two Lounges are situated on either side of the reception pavilion, serving afternoon tea.