Jo’s Blog: My superb stay at The Lemonary Marrakech

Marrakech is one of those places that stirs the soul. I’ve been eight times since 2012 and each visit has offered something completely different – from the indulgent luxury of the Four Seasons and Royal Palm to the unforgettable desert adventure with Not In The Guidebooks last year.

It’s also become something of a tradition with my podcast partner and long-time pal Fay - we’ve been here together four times now and it’s our go-to for recharging, reconnecting and soaking up all the colour, warmth and beauty that Morocco delivers in spades.

This time was no different and yet completely so. A proper pause. Our annual escape to catch up, relax and remind ourselves of all the good things. And what better base than the Moroccan countryside?

Enter: The Lemonary.

A beautiful little boutique hotel just 40 minutes from Marrakech - although with their driver Jamal on hand, it all felt incredibly easy and stress-free.

From the moment we arrived, the tone was set. Kaoutar welcomed us like old friends - warm, smiley and full of helpful tips – and within minutes we were sipping the signature Lemonary lemonade (freshly squeezed lemons, plenty of sugar and a hint of mint) which certainly knocked the post-flight cobwebs into next week.

The vibe here is small, personal and perfectly run.

Imad, the General Manager, popped by our villa that afternoon just to make sure all was well. He handed us his personal number with a genuine “call me for anything” approach - and it was clear that this wasn’t just lip service. The whole team had an easy chemistry about them – the kind you can’t fake – and it translated into service that was not only slick but full of heart.

Our Private Pool Villa was chef’s kiss and then some. A private entrance, two massive en-suite bedrooms with sliding doors out to the gardens, a cosy lounge area and a pool that you could actually swim laps in. (I didn’t, obviously, but it was nice to know I could – I floated a few 😊).

All of this framed by lemon trees, lavender bushes and towering cypress - which, as the sun heated up, created the most incredible scent. I blame the heady aroma entirely for the spontaneous naps I took under the pagoda.

Food-wise, we were in great hands with Ridar, who messaged us ahead of arrival with the menu, so we didn’t miss lunch. The set-up here is beautifully low-key: the menu is simple, traditional and so tasty - all Moroccan favourites, all home-cooked and all different at every meal across our five-night stay.

There’s a nifty system where you pre-order lunch and dinner via WhatsApp a couple of hours before mealtime. At first, we forgot. Then we got the hang of it. And then we became smug converts, wondering why more places don’t do this - freshly cooked food brought straight to your table as your drinks arrive. Genius. And if you fancied a nibble in between or had a random craving, one message to Ridar and voilà – wish granted.

Breakfast was another treat - no buffet in sight. Instead, each table gets its own towering stand of Moroccan delights: honey, Jleb cheese, olives, jams, bread, pastries, harcha, pancakes and omelettes. Fresh lemon and carrot juices were included, but there were plenty of other juice options available at additional cost. My pick was the beetroot and lemon combo (sounds niche, tastes fabulous).

Another lovely member of the team was Idriss - a warm, articulate polyglot (French, English, Berber and Arabic) - who made a point of setting up our lunch in the villa garden most days and had that magic knack of knowing what you needed before you did.

Now, The Lemonary is a dry hotel. But before you panic, don’t. Bring your Duty Free, pop it in the in-room fridge (generously sized), and enjoy a G&T in your villa or a chilled glass of rosé on the terrace as the scent of lemon and lavender drifts by. Who needs poolside cocktails when you’ve got that?

Speaking of bliss - how about this for a sunrise...

In short, The Lemonary far exceeded my expectations - and they weren’t exactly low. I’ve seen my fair share of boutique luxury, and while some places don’t quite live up to the brochure, this one absolutely does.

Let me leave you with the (by now obligatory) Shayler room tour, and you’ll see exactly why I’ve already bagged our villa for May 2026.