Amanjena, a tranquil oasis inspired by the rose-hued buildings of old Marrakech, lies just outside the fabled Red City. The resort’ iconic Moroccan inspired architecture, with traditional earth-toned pisé-de-terre walls, vaulted ceilings and Moorish arches, provides the ideal setting in which to escape the hustle and bustle of lively Marrakech.
This year the timeless resort celebrates its 20th anniversary. To mark this special occasion the resort has introduced a number of carefully curated events and experiences throughout the year, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of Morocco.
A Mindful Escape: From Body to Soul
To kick off the milestone celebration in February, Amanjena has introduced a host of new wellnes experience. A 20-minute Smoking Ritual and Meditation Session is now offered daily and aims to undo accumulated stress, calming both the body and soul through the practice of mindfulness. The session is accompanied by relaxing and soothing scents.
In addition, guests can indulge at the Aman Spa with a 20-minute Calming and Balancing Massage. Now part of Amanjena’s Signature Treatment, the massage is inspired by local healing philosophies and has been refined to quell stress in order to achieve a sense of stability and relaxation.
For those wanting to boost their wellbeing further, Amanjena’s resident fitness specialist, Florian Camus, now offers a 20-minute Kickstart Workout Session every Tuesday and Thursday.Designed to energise, the workout encourages a release of endorphins and participants start the day with a strong sense of wellness and a symbiosis of body and mind.
Guided Hike in the Atlas Mountains
Beginning with a scenic one-hour drive, this new excursion gives guests an introduction to the Atlas Mountains. The activity begins with a guided hike to a picturesque river gorge before proceeding up a mountain towards the tiny village of L’Arbaa Tighdouine, which is situated at the top and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
On arrival, guests can explore the ancient paths outside the mud-walled houses, observing rural life, before experiencing the hospitality of local villager Mr. Ibrahim over an authentic Moroccan lunch inside his traditional Berber house.
A Culinary Adventure
From March onwards, the 20th day of each month sees the team at Amanjena host an anniversary cocktail evening, which is open to all. In the bar and on its terrace, bartenders will serve season-inspired canapés and a selection of 20 cocktails accompanied by live jazz music.
Following the cocktail and canapé soiree, guests will be invited to enjoy a specially designed menu in one of the resort’s two restaurants.
Throughout 2020 Amanjena will also offer a Moroccan cooking class, where a selection of 20 Moroccan spices will be utilised to create traditional dishes.
An Insider’s Experience: 20 Views of Marrakech via Sidecar
Offering a one-of-a-kind, memorable experience that is designed to highlight the delights of Marrakech, a city full of vibrant colours and enchanting scents, this excursion enables guests a glimpse into local life from the sidecar of one of Amanjena’s new fleet of vintage motorbikes. The resort’s team of ‘Insiders’ lead this unique journey, offering an insight into a more authentic side of the Red City.
Guests will be guided around a vivid flea market, through secret gardens, as well as into old art deco buildings and khettaras in the palm grove, which is home to thousands of palm trees. These are just a few of the many hidden treasures uncovered during the open-air ride.
Charitable Collaborations
Embodying Aman’s collaborative spirit and to celebrate its 20th year, the resort has created a new charitable initiative titled Amanjena’s 20 Seeds of Joy, where guests are invited to help the local community and to understand its inner workings by partnering with one of 20 different charities.
One of the charities, Dar Tifl, invites guests to an afternoon tea with the children that are supported by the association. For animal lovers, the organization SPANA opens the doors of an animal shelter for guests to observe the care of abused or abandoned animals.
Alternatively, Soroptimist Marrakech, invites guests to a boarding school created for the education of young girls from rural areas around the city who do not have access to a school. Further information on these three charities can be found below.
Website: www.amanjena.com
