DESTINATIONGOLF. TRAVEL DESTINATION GOLF GLOBAL GUIDE AUTUMN 2026
WHERE TO STAY WHEN YOU PLAY AMELKIS For golfers planning a trip to Marrakech, few addresses combine convenience and character quite like Villa des Arts. Set inside a secure gated community directly on the fairways of Amelkis Golf, this private residence puts you a golf buggy ride from the first tee and just 20 minutes from downtown Marrakech, with the airport a mere 25 minutes away— ideal for a short break or a full golfing week without the hassle of transfers.
THE VILLA: COMFORT TO MATCH THE COURSE Villa des Arts is the private home of a creative English couple, and it shows: handmade Moroccan furniture, curated photography and a sunlit salon with a Yamaha piano give the interiors a lived-in, artful warmth rather than the sterile feel of a typical rental. The property sleeps up to eight across three super-king master suites plus a fourth separate suite, making it well suited to golf groups or families combining a golf trip with downtime by the pool.
Amelkis itself has earned its reputation as one of Marrakech’ s most technical tests. Designed by American architect Cabell B. Robinson and named after a legendary Berber queen, the resort’ s 27 holes( arranged as Blue, Red and Green nines) unfold against a backdrop of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, with mature palms, papyrus reeds and water hazards— most notoriously on the tricky par-5 15th— demanding a controlled long game and a sharp short one. The course hosted the Open du Maroc in 2000, and its clubhouse, styled after an old Kasbah, remains a favourite spot to relive the round over mint tea on the terrace.
Outside, two secluded gardens wrap around a heated pool, with a private lawn, adjustable awnings and air conditioning throughout— practical touches for Marrakech’ s hot, sunny climate whether you’ re cooling off after 18 holes or relaxing under the stars in the evening.
SERVICE THAT TAKES CARE OF THE DETAILS What elevates Villa des Arts beyond a simple golf base is its level of service. A daily housekeeper and cook are on hand, alongside a house manager who arranges trips, culture, food and travel— useful for guests wanting to pair golf days with excursions into the Medina or the Atlas foothills. Private Englishspeaking drivers are available at all times, smoothing the logistics of getting to and from the course or the airport, while a golf buggy is included as standard for guests playing at Amelkis.
WHY IT WORKS FOR A GOLF FEATURE For a golf magazine audience, the appeal is straightforward: a challenging, mountain-backed course with genuine tournament pedigree, paired with a private villa that offers hotel-level service without losing the character of a real home. It’ s a story about the growing pull of Marrakech as a golf destination— supported by write-ups from operators like Your Golf Travel, who note Amelkis has“ received rave reviews... a good indicator that Morocco is steadily being transformed into a genuine international golf holiday destination” [ web: 10 ]— matched with a stay that lets golfers walk out of their garden and onto the fairway. https:// www. villadesarts. co. uk / v2.1 /
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