Villa of the month: 
Dar Arbala, Marrakech

Fly less than four hours from the UK and you’ll feel like you’ve landed worlds away. A million miles from British countryside quaintness or the cosmopolitan streets of London, Marrakech is an ambush on the senses.

Here in the hustle and bustle of the famous medina, which dates back to 1070, souks and street vendors vie for your attention (and money), and unfamiliar sounds and tempting smells linger in the air. A flourishing destination for the modern traveller, today’s Marrakech is more than excellently priced saffron and endless alleys, and its culinary and cultural offerings are more refined than ever before. Discovery is around every corner, but after a long day of souvenir bartering and tagine eating, it’s an untold luxury to head back to a comfortable base. Time to recharge your batteries under the sun within the three-and-a-half acre grounds of Dar Arbala.

As extravagant and impressive as holiday abodes come, the sprawling complex can be found a half-hour’s drive from the city centre in the Ourika Valley. Set amid beautifully maintained gardens, its traditional Moorish design sets the tone for a quintessentially Moroccan experience, but modern amenities including air conditioning and underfloor heating in the bathrooms, plus a heated swimming pool, gym, tennis and badminton courts, ensure endless relaxation.

Accommodating up to 15 people, it’s in these grounds that you’ll no doubt spend sun-soaked afternoons – incidentally, Marrakech is warm all year round, with daytime temperatures of roughly 18°C in the winter and soaring to 40°C in summer. Take a dip while enjoying the incredible views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, before whipping up a feast for your fellow guests in the barbecue area.

Your personal butler, Ibrahim, will keep you suitably refreshed with traditional mint tea, while the five-star housekeeping team, 24-hour security and a personal chef promise ultimate levels of R&R. Plus, should you wish to day-trip further afield, the surrounding area boasts excellent hiking trails which reveal stunning waterfalls, and a local market every Monday offers a treasure trove of trinkets to bargain-hunters.