Dar Ayniwen
Address
Lonely Planet review
When Moroccan diplomat and avid collector Sidi Aziz decided to open his family's villa estate to paying guests, it was an antique-hunter's vacation dream come true. Minimalism is fine for a dentist's office, but bare walls are nowhere near as fun as the vintage champagne-bucket collection lining Dar Aniywen's pantry shelves.
There's never too much of a good thing at Dar Aniywen, where the eclectic, extravagant tastes of a lifelong collector pack in surprises around every corner. Art deco Moroccan travel posters compete for wall space with pop art, and why decide between a Moroccan hammam and a Finnish sauna when you can have both? Reclusive songwriters vie for three secluded garden retreats, and four suites in the villa accommodate such glamourous guests as Juliette Binoche and Monica Bellucci (who prefers the Sheherazade Suite, with its wall of perfume bottles behind the bathtub). Relax in style amid rows of fragrant orange trees, songbird aviaries, fountains and impressive cacti gardens (water conservation is kicking in here) - and yes, weddings are often held in the gazebo. Aziz's kindly son Stephane arranges organic cooking classes, candlelit massages and chauffeured cars at your disposal.