PRESS

“We didn't have a specific venue in mind until our friend Grace introduced us to Jnane Tamsna. As soon as Fred and I walked through the doors we fell in love with it. Owners Meryanne Loum-Martin and Gary Martin built Jnane Tamsna from the ground up and have poured their love and expertise into every corner of it.”

“The property is more than just a place to sleep at night, it is a creative hub for Black people that bridges the gap between cultures.”

“More than a hotel, [Jnane Tamsna] comes across as a bohemian-chic hideaway for creatives and travelers. Its library holds hundreds of books and magazines, as well as furniture and paintings that each have a unique story of origin. No one room in the hotel is the same, and each contains rich colors and treasures from Loum-Martin's travels.”

“Back at the riad we immersed ourselves in the languid luxury of our surroundings, swimming lazy laps in one of the five pristine pools dotted around the estate, enjoying massages and spending hours simply wandering among the trees or relaxing in our bedroom with its verandah overlooking a dense canopy of olive trees and a rising tide of white bougainvillea.”

“Jnane Tamsna embodies the true essence of Moroccan country life, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and vibrant spirit of the Marrakech region. Each detail of the hotel pays homage to the traditions and lifestyle of Morocco, creating a unique and immersive experience that feels authentically local and deeply personal.”

“Loum-Martin runs Jnane Tamsna in Marrakech with her husband, Dr. Gary Martin, an ethnobotanist and founder of the Global Diversity Foundation. The couple has created a serene and fertile environment. The grounds are replete with date palms, organic vegetable patches, olive trees and a wide variety of plants and herbs. Most of the food served on the premises is grown in the gardens.”

“Sustainability forms the bedrock of Jnane Tamsna, a commitment evident in many touchpoints. Loum-Martin passionately describes how she along with her husband use their platform for good and created an international foundation supporting biodiversity and conservation, social impact, and sustainable practices initiatives, from empowering local communities to innovative water management techniques.”

“To simply list its facilities does it a disservice. This is a magical oasis - the type of place you would fantasise about being transported, a dream location you mentally conjure up on the yoga mat when trying to bring about a sense of inner peace. You have to believe it to see it. The bright pink bougainvillaea draped over every surface, the towering palm trees, the bright colours of the buildings wrapped up by the expertly-landscaped gardens. There was even a tortoise marching around for good measure.”

“Situated in the middle of the Palmerie area -- think of the Beverly Hills of Marrakech-- Jnane Tamsna is an oasis, 20 minute drive north of the Medina. The area is filled with mega mansions belonging to uber-rich owners who range from Saudi royals to Italian football stars. Jnane Tamsna, however, exudes understated and natural charm. It's run by a French-educated hotelier, designer and art collector Meryanne Loum-Martin and her ethno-botanist husband Gary Martin. Book a table by the swimming pool under the olive trees for the Mediterranean-Moroccan inspired daily menu. Dishes are prepared with vegetables and herbs from their own gardens. Lunch guests can enjoy the pool the rest of the day.”

“From their commitment to design, music and heritage, to their passion for centering a rich cultural narrative, it was clear that Jnane Tamsna was much more than just a hotel. It was a reflection of Meryanne, Thaïs's and the entire family's vision to create a space that celebrates sustainability, diversity, creativity, and community.”

“The Black Diaspora Salon provides an opportunity for thought leaders from across the Diaspora to gather.”

“About twenty minutes from the tumultuous souk of Marrakech is a haven of peace with lush vegetation. Made up of twenty-four rooms and suites, the Jnane Tamsna hotel presents the perfect compromise between exploring the city center of Marrakech and moments of relaxation in the shade of some six hundred and thirty century-old palm trees, spread over four hectares of gardens. Tastefully decorated and furnished by the owners - echoing the trips they made from India to Mexico - the permanent dialogue between paintings, architecture and nature make the Jnane Tamsna hotel a timeless place to discover.”

“Born in Cote d'Ivoire and educated at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Loum-Martin converted a little-used wedding pavilion into a pop-up shop that has since taken up permanent residence, alongside the swimming pool and accessible through the organic gardens. The ever-evolving inventory ranges from classic hand-carved Moroccan Thuya wood chess sets to copper lanterns, also hand-wrought, by Loum-Martin's carefully chosen metalsmiths in the souks. Black-and-white landscape paintings by her favorite Marrakech dwelling artist Philippe Deltour cover entire walls.”

“On her very first visit to the city nearly 35 years ago, the former lawyer turned interior designer felt at home. "I'm a mix of a lot of things, part French West Indian, part Senegalese," says Loum-Martin, who was born in Cote d'Ivoire and lived in London, Moscow, and Paris before settling in Marrakech. "Diversity and mix is part of my DNA, and it is something that I have found here."”

“True to its name, Jnane Tamsna ("Big Garden") immerses you in the sights, sounds and scents of a North African garden, its 24 rooms scattered between five houses, each with their own pool. Booker Prize winners and star chefs regularly offer courses here in support of the Diversity Foundation.”

“While the gorgeous rooms, pristine interior and delicious food would be sufficient enough for travelers, the amenities and activities offered for guests makes this a must-visit hotel for anyone making their way through Morocco. You can ride a camel through the date palms on the property, play tennis, have your children learn calligraphy, ride bikes on a guided tour or roam the city in an elegant sidecar. Guests can also get some movement in with yoga classes and get a massage after which is offered by the hotel.”

“On a terrace covered in soft Berber rugs, our group of literature lovers sit around tables spread with brilliantly patterned suzani cloth. Waiters are on hand to fill our wine glasses. Candles dangling from the pergola compete with the starry sky. It's magical. This is no ordinary writing masterclass. Silk Road Slippers Masterclass is the latest addition to the burgeoning business of writers' workshops. Not only are we in the company of a globally revered writer, but we're also receiving instruction over our four-day retreat from a quartet of terrifyingly well-qualified editors.”

“The name jnane, meaning “garden paradise” or “peaceful sanctuary,” reflects both the setting and the spirit: guests have run of the oasis, from the heated swimming pool to shaded gathering spaces designed for conversation and reflection.”

“Once inside the property gates, I entered a series of sweeping Moorish archways the color of ripe mango, dripping with white bougainvillea. Concierge Oualid Alam ushered me into a library appointed with oversized, ornate daybeds and tables inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Art books and literature crammed the shelves; framed vintage scenes of Morocco and its people covered the walls. I was served mint tea in decorative glass cups, an important Moroccan gesture that set the tone for my two-night stay, then shown to my suite, complete with sitting room, fainting couch, skylight, Berber rugs, and fireplace.”

“Located a roughly 15-minute drive from the bustling and cavernous medina, Jnane Tamsna sprawls over eight acres and boasts 24 rooms in the posh northern end of the Red City. It's a quiet refuge enveloped in a shade of yellow reminiscent of Morocco's high-noon sun. Clusters of pink and white bougainvillea burst out over its Moorish archways and rooftops. And on the particular day of my visit, I saw hummingbirds cavorting near one of the estate's five heated swimming pools. There's only one word that can describe such a scene: paradise.”

“Set in the Palmeraie district of the country's fourth largest city, Jnane Tamsna is more than just an impeccably crafted 24-room desert oasis spread across eight acres — it's an international retreat for people of all backgrounds to experience one another's cultures, a place where differences thrive.”

“Our personal commitment to philanthropy and causes has always been accessible to our guests. We're involved-from girls education in rural mountain areas to now assisting African migrants with medical and legal support, food, shelter, and opportunities. This project was started by our son.”

“Meryanne's boutique, filled as it is with hand-picked items, from clothes to furniture spotted on her travels around Morocco and the rest of the continent, is not to be missed, nor is the deli rich in organic honey, herbs and teas as well as body products that are all locally sourced by Gary.”

“We're at the second edition of The Diaspora Salon, an annual three-day event that has brought together a stellar gathering of people from Africa and its diaspora to listen and participate in a series of moderated talks about our cultural and economic futures.”

“Former lawyer Meryanne Loum-Martin is the only Black woman hotelier in Marrakech. The 24-key Jnane Tamsna, a joint project between the hotelier and her ethnobotanist partner Gary Martin (who designed the property's lush three-and-a-half hectares of palm and olive groves, as well as the rambunctious kitchen gardens), delivers colourful, cosy bohemian interiors, and welcoming little luxuries, like complimentary fresh grapefruit juice, a rotation of regular events, and, in Loum-Martin, an encyclopaedic knowledge of Morocco and its culture.”