Beldi Country Club, Morocco

This charming hotel in a collection of low-rise Berber-style buildings is set in 15 hectares of lush leafy gardens with views of the Atlas Mountains.

Beldi Country Club is one of those places that you never want to leave! The French Jean-Dominique Leymarie, who was born in Morocco, created paradise, consisting of a country club, hotel, spa and his own small souk.

The realm of Leymarie is about 15 minutes outside the medina on the Route du Barrage and is open for restaurants and hotel guests. From the parking lot you walk past rose gardens with 13,000 different varieties through a romantic garden to the pool in the olive grove. But that is only the beginning.

From the in-house embroidery that adorns the cloth napkins to the water lily ponds and outdoor showers entwined with bougainvillea - every little detail is just right here. Nevertheless it looks natural and organically grown.

The Country Club is an oasis for everyone who wants a day's rest from the city life of Marrakech, who wants to lie by the pool instead of walking across the souk.

Once you get here, there is no reason to leave this paradise again. The adjoining restaurant has everything you could want: freshly squeezed juices, smoothies, chilled rosé, grilled sole and sweet delicacies.

Website: www.beldicountryclub.com