Sofitel Marrakech Palais Imperial and Spa

All 346 rooms and suites come with a private balcony or terrace, many overlooking the gardens, pool or mountains. Standard features include air conditioning, safe, minibar, satellite television and marble bathrooms, with enough space and comfort to unwind after a round in the heat. The layout is generous, the beds are excellent, and the balconies make a real difference when you want to sit out with a drink at the end of the day. I'm a big fan of a balcony on a golf trip, it's the easiest 19th hole going.

The outdoor pool is the centrepiece, a long, palm-lined stretch of water with a sun terrace that's ideal for post-golf recovery. Needless to say, the outdoor pool does a lot of heavy lifting after a hot round. There's also an indoor pool, jacuzzi and a full spa offering hammam treatments, massages and beauty services. Seven floodlit tennis courts, including one clay surface, are available if you fancy a hit, and the fitness centre is well equipped. For golfers, the hotel can help organise tee times and transfers, and the concierge team knows the local courses well enough to offer useful advice on conditions and speed of play.

Dining is strong. L'Orangeraie serves refined international cuisine in a bright, elegant setting, with a menu that shifts between French classics and Moroccan-inspired dishes. The breakfast spread is generous, and the evening service is polished without feeling stiff. The Lawrence Bar is the spot for cocktails, a wood-panelled, low-lit space where the bartenders know their way around a Negroni or a mint-infused gin and tonic. If you're venturing out, Le Comptoir on Avenue Rechouda is one of the city's best-known dinner spots and worth booking ahead.

Location is the headline. You can get out to Royal Golf, Amelkis and Al Maaden with a short transfer, then be back in time to head into the medina for dinner. The medina's main square is close enough to walk in cooler months, or a quick taxi when it's hot. For a long weekend of golf and culture, or a longer stay where you'll actually use the spa and pool properly, it's a strong all-round pick. The combination of city access, mountain views, strong dining and a genuinely relaxing pool and spa setup makes it one of the best options in Marrakech for golfers who don't want to be stuck out at a resort.

Include Sofitel Marrakech Palais Imperial on your next Marrakech Golf Break, ask the team about tee times and the best-value course combinations.