Roam+Board :: La Gazelle d'Or

la gazelle d'or taroudant
la gazelle d'or taroudant

[trip style = luxury + sun]

Editor's Note: This is the fourth post in a multipart series on Morocco. For a look back, seeSavoring the Sahara,CasablancaandDar al Hossounhotel, also in Taroudant.

What Drooling over the photos of La Gazelle d'Or prior to my December, 2013 trip to Morocco, I had fairy tale expectations. When I spotted a white Arabian horse grazing in the palm tree-lined field outside my bungalow one morning, my fairy tale swiftly took shape.

Part hotel, part orchard, part farm, all Garden of Eden, La Gazelle d’Or dazzled my senses the second my vehicle entered through the bamboo canopy entrance. It was 9pm when I checked in, and the front desk informed me they had been waiting for my arrival. The fairy tale continues: A seat was waiting for me at dinner {in front of a crackling fire}.

Firmly planted as one of Morocco's leading hotels, this sanctuary of calm is draped in North African decadence, Arab cues, Art Deco, and vases of fresh roses cut from the sprawling estate. Strolling between the dining room, the pool and my clay-built abode, I could hardly believe the scale of the 250-acre property without walking to every corner. Though occasionally, the far reaches of the relaxing resort would come to me: the bowl of just-picked oranges sitting in my suite's living room, the farm eggs served on my patio at breakfast or the poinsettia tree meeting me on my way to the spa.

While the scale and stature of the property have a treasure map quality, it's the timeless touches that made it difficult to leave. I miss the army of attentive and earnest staff---many of whom have been there 30 years under the property's uncompromising owner---and the meticulous upkeep and manicuring throughout the estate's 30 private bungalows.

If you're longing for a fairy tale trip, consider taking your magic carpet here. Trip Styler approved.

Where Located just outside of Taroudant's fortified walls, La Gazelle d'Or is one hour from the Agadir Airport, or a 3.5-hour drive from Marrakech.

When Winter is for palm-shaded picnics, summer is for frequent dips in the Olympic-sized pool.

Who/Why Your travel dreams are birthed on the glossy pages of Conde Nast Traveler, and your jetset pals include former French first families or US business tycoons.

Cost Rates start at $800/night {taxes in} and include breakfast, dinner and WiFi.

la gazelle d'or entrance
la gazelle d'or entrance

Photos The bamboo entrance

la gazelle d'or oranges
la gazelle d'or oranges

Bowl of fresh-picked oranges plucked from La Gazelle's grove

siting area draped in white la gazelle d'or
siting area draped in white la gazelle d'or

Sitting area

la gazelle d'or pool
la gazelle d'or pool

Olympic-sized pool

Fresh roses by the pool
Fresh roses by the pool

I came across a worker bringing in a bunch of roses from the garden, and he gave me a single stem---I wasn't kidding about the fairy tale...

la gazelle d'or bungalow
la gazelle d'or bungalow

My bungalow

embroidery detail linens la gazelle d'or
embroidery detail linens la gazelle d'or

Embroidery details on the towels

bongalow bathroom la gazelle d'or
bongalow bathroom la gazelle d'or

Bungalow's soaking tub

breakfast la gazelle d'or
breakfast la gazelle d'or

Breakfast from La Gazelle's 100% organic farm on my patio

white horse la gazelle d'or
white horse la gazelle d'or

White Arabian horse roaming in front of my private breakfast perch

la gazelle d'or indoor gazebo
la gazelle d'or indoor gazebo

Sitting room

decor details la gazelle d'or
decor details la gazelle d'or

Decor details

outdoor seating la gazelle d'or
outdoor seating la gazelle d'or

Outdoor seating

Spa la gazelle d'or
Spa la gazelle d'or

Spa

dusk la gazelle d'or
dusk la gazelle d'or