Selman Marrakech - Morocco
Dinner at Selman Marrakech, September 16 2024, photo by Sarah Sturges
I’ve decided that you can assess the quality of a dinner party from the drips of its candle wax. If, for example, the candles are stiff, upright, and contained, you’ve likely had a dinner that was nice and congenial—sensible in length. If those candles are dripping down the sides, slightly askew in their holder, then you’ve likely enjoyed yourself a bit more and are looking forward to the next one. But when those candles begin to pour with reckless abandon, shedding all of their original form, spilling onto a beautiful, hand-embroidered tablecloth, while the wicks burn gloriously long and the smoke creates evocative and mesmerizing designs……then you know you’ve been to a GREAT dinner party; one that could even satisfy the likes of internationally recognized celebrities.
And that’s just what we had on the last night of our Serandipians Familiarizatin Trip at Selman Marrakech—a dinner party fit for (and originally conceptualized by) a superstar celebrity. This special event took place within the Selman stables, surrounded by their majestic, thoroughbred Arabian horses, replete with delicious and fragrant dishes, and alive with newly forged friendships. And this dinner was abundant with ferociously burning candles whose drip formations, by the time we were leaving, were far longer than the candles themselves.
As if it wasn’t special enough to dine amongst these stately creatures, between courses were we led out of the stables to watch a dramatic performance of the horses. To watch these magnificent animals perform is quite stirring. They seem as human as the actors themselves. In fact, they steal the show.
It’s fitting that we toured Selman at night as there is an unmistakable mystery and a deep richness to Selman Marrakech—in her design, her decor, her food, and her hospitality. Yes, I’ve also decided that despite being designed by a man (or maybe because of a wise one in Jacques Garcia) Selman is a striking Moroccan woman who is decidedly female bold, strong and unabashedly sensual.
And since every good woman knows a thing or two about wellness, it’s fitting that Selman also houses a Chenot Spa—one of only three secondary locations, within hotels. But once she has met the mindful rigors of good health, she is not one to miss an extraordinary meal. So it’s also appropriate that Selman boasts their newly opened “La Terrasse by Jean-François Piège.” Balancing austerity with pleasure is not an easy feat, but Selman seems to do so with ease and grace.
There’s much more to be said for and to be treasured at Selman Marrakech; such as a host of signature experiences and a Kid’s Club to allow you to do so, Africa’s longest pool, and a world class fitness facility. And then, of course, there’s Marrakech itself—with the Medina a mere 10-minute drive away. So be careful…like any good seductress, once you’ve been to Selman, you’re likely to return to her.
- Sarah Sturges
P.S. I was the one irrationally concerned for the life of the tablecloth—a self-studied realization that forced me out a little later that evening, in a practice of letting go. And so it seems, a return to Selman Marrakech, for myself, will be a necessary step in self-care. in every way.
