This lavish country retreat is situated in the heart of La Palmeraie, only 15 minutes' drive from the frenzy of Marrakech but a world apart
Features
- Wheelchair accessible
- Child Friendly
- Historical & Cultural Tours
- Markets & shopping
- Tennis
- Swimming pools
- Yoga
- Massage
- Hammam
- Cooking classes
- Bicycles
| Jnane Tamsna - Palmeraie, Marrakech, Morocco | |
Sustainability Scorecard
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From $220 USD p/dbl
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good for you
Even in a country where each Riad (traditional Moroccan home) seems to be more stunning than the next, Jnane Tamsna ("Big Garden") is a gem. This lavish country retreat is situated in the heart of La Palmeraie, only 15 minutes' drive from the frenzy of Marrakech but a world apart.
The ochre-pink home sits within a six acre walled estate surrounded by extensive flower, herb and organic vegetable gardens. There are 17 guest bedrooms divided between three buildings - the Jnane itself, Dar Ylane and the "Moussafir" (The House of the Traveller) - and guests can rent the 17 rooms individually, rent a house or take over the entire estate.
Although the style of each property is very different all three reflect the richness of Moroccan interior design. Brass lanterns, wooden tables with inlaid mother-of-pearl, Berber rugs and objets d'art are scattered throughout the three houses alongside contemporary furniture.
The icing on the cake are the owners, Meryanne Loum-Martin and her husband Gary Martin, who are committed to providing guests with a culturally rich, personalised stay.
good for morocco
Meryanne Loum-Martin and Gary Martin are well known in the community for their appreciation of Moroccan culture and their tours that get below the skin of the country. Their "Diversity Excursions" offer guests scientific, culinary, or anthropological tours of the country. During the excursions English-speaking Moroccan guides accompany guests on tours to Marrakech and its environs. All proceeds from the excursions are donated to The Global Diversity Foundation that sponsors training and research on agricultural, biological and cultural diversity in Morocco and other countries. The owners have also recently launched a literary salon to support literacy projects in Morocco.
With non-green energy, central heating and air-conditioning, Jnane Tamsna estate is not as yet super-environmentally friendly, although some measures have recently been introduced. All waste water is treated on site and used for ornamental gardens. Jnane Tamsna is committed to using a percentage of its profits to improve the landscaping and environmental technology on the estate.
Highs
- The riad: Justifiably popular with the rich and famous, Jnane Tamsna is the epitome of Moroccan chic.
- The owners: Their passion for the country and all things Moroccan is infectious and you'll come away with a deep understanding of the country even if all you were planning on doing was lazing by the pool.
- The atmosphere: The setting and accommodation might be first class but you'll find no airs and graces here and children are more than welcome; in fact a Nanny is available.
Lows
- The location: Jnane Tamsna is ideally positioned for those wishing to escape the hubbub of the medina but organising a taxi between Marrakech and the riad can be a bit annoying.
- The price: Luxury doesn't come cheap!
- Eco-unfriendly: With air-conditioning and heated swimming pools, this Riad isn't as yet 'super-green'; but it has recently begun to implement some green policies.
Rooms
The estate consists of Jnane House (ten bedrooms, sleeps 18 - 20), the charming garden villa Moussafir House (four bedrooms, sleeps 8) and the recently-opened Dar Ylane (two bedrooms, sleeps 4).
jnane house
Jnane House mixes the best of the Medina courtyard house architecture with the spaciousness of a country home. The first courtyard gives access to the spacious living and dining rooms. There are six bedrooms on the garden level - four of them around the second courtyard - and an additional four bedrooms off the upper level roof terrace.
Jnane House bedrooms - each distinctively designed - open onto spacious terraces and verandas, and have ornate bathrooms with bathtub, shower and two sinks. Television, video and DVD are available in a separate small room near the pool. The entire 900 square meter house is equipped with central heating, and fireplaces give additional warmth to the rooms.
Touareg and Blue Animal are large rooms on the ground floor around a central courtyard planted with olive trees and flowers. They have a corridor entrance with closet space and an independent WC. The bedrooms feature a fireplace, air conditioning and a double bed. There is direct access to large veranda, facing the garden and close to the swimming pool. Each bathroom has a bathtub, independent shower, and two sinks.
Beige and Green are large rooms on the ground floor also around a central courtyard. They have a corridor entrance with closet space and an independent WC. The bedrooms feature a fireplace, air conditioning and a double bed. There is direct access to private veranda on the north side of the house. Each bathroom has a bathtub, independent shower, and two sinks.
Edward and Indian are large rooms on the first floor with north and south views. They have private access to a spacious roof terrace through attached verandas. Each room has a corridor entrance with closet space, a fireplace and air conditioning. The bathroom has a bathtub, two sinks, independent shower and WC.
Wedgwood and Celadon are also on the first floor. Each has a double bed, air conditioning and fireplace. Each of the bathrooms has a bathtub, two sinks, independent shower and WC. The rooms have a north view, but no exclusive veranda.
White also on the ground floor, is the second smallest room. It has a double bed and a private patio; the bathroom has a bathtub, sink and WC. There is air conditioning, but no fireplace.
Taupe the smallest room, is located on the ground floor. It has a double bed and a small bathroom with shower, sink and WC. There is air conditioning, but no fireplace. It is offered only for single occupancy.
moussafir house
The suites are named 'African', 'Casablanca', 'Calligraphy', 'Persian' and 'Indian'. They are large and air conditioned, with fireplaces, walk-in closets, and private north and south verandas overlooking an exclusive garden. All suites (except Persian) have ceiling fans. Each suite has access to an individual roof terrace. The bathrooms have a fireplace, bathtub and two sinks, and there is an independent shower and WC. The suites are equipped with television, DVD and CD players. Casablanca and Calligraphy rooms, with their spacious private common veranda, are ideal for two couples or a family.
additional children's beds may be accommodated in any of the houses.
Food
The kitchen serves Moroccan and fusion cuisine using fresh organic ingredients from the surrounding gardens and orchards. Cocktails are served on the rooftop and dinner is served reclining on pillows on the roof terrace, by candlelight on the veranda, or around a table in a secluded corner in the garden.
There is an honesty bar in the sitting room, and waiter service from 18h45 until dinner. There is no room service.
Breakfast is included in all rates.
cost of meals
Light meal (2 courses: soup, salads, sandwich, vegetable tart and/or fruit): Euro12 pp
Full course lunch with wine: Euro28 pp
Catered picnic lunch with drinks (8 guests minimum): Euro35 pp
Dinner with soft drinks: Euro30 pp
Full course dinner with wine: Euro45 pp
Gala dinner with cocktails and musicians: (8 guests min): From Euro75 pp
Features & Facilities
- Three swimming pools, two heated in winter
- Two hammams & massage rooms
- Clay tennis court
- Tennis coaching upon request
- Yoga coaching upon request
- English & French libraries
- WiFi broadband connection
- DVD/CD on request
- Cots & beds for children freely available
- Babysitting from Euro50 an evening
- TV & games room with DVD/video library
- Portable kids pool
- Wheelchair access is good, well-chair on site
- Smoking allowed
- Well-behaved dogs allowed
- Laundry
- Riding stables & three golf courses within 15 minutes' drive of Jnane Tamsna.
- On site boutique
- Meeting rooms
See Local Info for more on activities in the area.
Local Info & Activities
Laze by the pool, play tennis, relax in the hammam or take part in a cooking class - these are just some of the ways you can spend your time while staying at Jnane Tamsna.
Alternatively, you can choose to be more active. Your hosts Meryanne Loum-Martin a French-Senegalese lawyer-turned-designer and her American husband Gary Martin, an ethno-botanist, have an infectious passion for Morocco and this is evident through the Diversity Excursions on offer.
diversity excursions
For an insider's view of Morocco take advantage of the private tours led by English-speaking Moroccan guides. Diversity Excursions offers half-day and full-day excursions in Marrakech, the High Atlas mountains, and biosphere reserves on the Atlantic coast and in the south of the country. During the excursions guests are taken on tours to Marrakech and its environs. The guides - many of them from Tamazight (Berber) speaking communities - are experts in explaining the general culture, ecology and history of the south of Morocco.
A tour of the souk (in search of spices, herbs, oils and fruit, or modern design and traditional crafts), is just one of many excellent activities and excursions available to guests; others include trips into the High Atlas Mountains, or tours of ancient and contemporary gardens.
Moroccan and foreign scholars accompany guests on selected field visits to provide additional insights on local diversity.
Sustainability
environment
Ongoing investments in ecologically appropriate landscaping and technology will hopefully make Jnane Tamsna estate more environmentally friendly.
Planting of arid zone and Mediterranean species minimises the need for irrigation. All waste water is treated on site and used for ornamental gardens. Jnane Tamsna is committed to using a percentage of its profits to improve the landscaping and environmental technology on the estate. This will include planting of additional water efficient gardens, composting of organic refuse and investment in solar water pumps, among other measures.
Recent green initiatives have seen guests "adopting" a tree. Guests pay EUR 25 per tree and they are planted in La Palmeraieas as part of a 're-greening' project of the area.
community
Diversity Excursions designs tours for guests who stay at Jnane Tamsna in the Palmeraie of Marrakech, Morocco. All proceeds from the excursions are donated to The Global Diversity Foundation, a registered UK charitable organization that sponsors training and research on agricultural, biological and cultural diversity in Morocco and other countries. During the excursions, English-speaking Moroccan guides accompany guests on tours to Marrakech and its environs. The guides - many of them from Tamazight (Berber) speaking communities - are experts in explaining the general culture, ecology and history of the south of Morocco. Moroccan and foreign scholars accompany guests on selected field visits to provide additional insights into local diversity
Jnane Tamsna literary salons recreates nineteenth century salons but with a modern note. They take place four times a year over long weekends. Authors give several readings, writing workshops or presentations of their craft. The rest of the weekend includes visits to the Marrakech region accompanied by the author, and that relate to his or her work. The salons are designed to support various charity projects in Morocco, particularly ones focused on literacy and education.
Getting There
From Marrakech, it's just a 15 minute drive or taxi ride to La Palmeraie.
Jnane Tamsna can arrange transfers.
Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.
Rates & Bookings
Prices are in EURO per double room. The B&B rate includes breakfast, laundry, access to pool and tennis
Low season 29 November - 22 December, 3 - 26 January and 20 June - 7 September. High season is at all other times.
accommodation by room
basic bed & breakfast double room (high season)
Taupe N/A
White Euro250
Wedgwood, Celadon Euro300
Jnane House large rooms (6) Euro390
Touareg
Blue
Green
Beige
Indian
Edwards
Moussafir suites (5) Euro420
African
Casablanca
Calligraphy
Persian
Indian
basic bed & breakfast double room (low season)
Taupe N/A
White Euro220
Wedgwood, Celadon Euro265
Jnane House large rooms (6) Euro345
Moussafir suites (5) Euro370
basic bed & breakfast single room (high season)
Taupe Euro130
White Euro162,50
Wedgwood, Celadon Euro195
Jnane House large rooms (6) Euro253,50
Moussafir suitesEuro (5) Euro273
basic bed & breakfast single room (low season)
Taupe Euro115
White Euro143
Wedgwood, Celadon Euro172
Jnane House large rooms (6) Euro224
Moussafir suites (5) Euro240
riad rental
Jnane Tamsna's two houses may be rented in exclusivity throughout the year. During school holidays and summertime, the minimum rental is seven nights; for the rest of the year the minimum rental is three nights.
The property consists of Jnane House (ten bedrooms, sleeps 18 - 20) and the charming garden villa Moussafir House (four bedrooms, sleeps 8). The houses are ideal for family reunions, private parties and rental by several families together. Additional children's beds may be accommodated in either house. Both houses are situated in a six acre estate with extensive organic fruit orchards, vegetable gardens and ornamental plantings.
For guests who take Jnane House in exclusivity, additional rooms may be reserved in Moussafir House. Both houses are fully staffed, and have access to the Dar Ylane boutique, gallery and table d'h™tes. Each house has a private swimming pool and access to a clay tennis court.
jnane house
Ten en suite bedrooms with air conditioning
Large sitting room and veranda
Large dining room
TV and games room
Vast roof terraces with 360 degree view
Price per week for 20 people (B&B)
All year except summer Euro 20,500
Christmas week Euro 17,500
New Year's week Euro 28,800
Both Christmas and New Year's Euro 40,000
July and August Euro 15,000
Two weeks in summer Euro 25,000
Three weeks in summer Euro 32,000
Four weeks in summer Euro 35,000
Price per three nights for 20 people (B&B)
All year (except school holidays, summer) Euro 10,170
Additional night Euro 3,390
moussafir house
Four en suite bedrooms with air conditioning
Sitting room with fireplace and air conditioning
Large veranda, private garden and roof terraces
Large pool house with fireplace and dining area
Price per week for 8 people (B&B)
All year except summer Euro8,500
Christmas week Euro7,500
New Year's week Euro10,000
Both Christmas and New Year's Euro15,000
July and August Euro6,000
Two weeks in summer Euro9,000
Three weeks in summer Euro12,000
Four weeks in summer Euro14,000
Price per three nights for 8 people (B&B)
All year (except school holidays, summer) Euro6,000
Additional night Euro2,000
terms & conditions
- Bed & Breakfast rates are inclusive of accommodation, breakfast, laundry, access to pool and tennis.
- All additional activities and excursions require an additional fee.
- Children until 3 years old: free when sharing room
- Children 4 - 12 years old: 20% for extra bed in same room; 50% of adult cost in own room
- Children 13 - 18 years old 80% of adult cost in own room
- All meals for children up to 12 years old are charged 50% of normal rates.
booking & cancellation policy
- A 20% deposit is required to confirm the reservation.
- Full payment is required in advance of arrival.
- Cancellations made at any time will incur a 10% cancellation fee. Cancellations made nearer the arrival date will incur further cancellation fees; full information will be provided at time of booking.
Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.