Even the most seasoned travelers will find the Royal Mansour utterly remarkable. Established by the King of Morocco, it is an unparalleled showpiece for the country’s indigenous crafts and artisanal heritage, a living museum where the ceilings are formed of carved cedarwood and the floors shine with kaleidoscopic spreads of hand-laid zellige tiles. A standalone four-bedroom, 19,400-sq-ft abode — a private palace, really — the Grand Riad delivers the same attention to detail and uncompromising quality. It feels like a privilege to stay in a masterpiece that so few people will ever see. Past the entrance lined with olive trees, there’s one immensely beautiful room after another to discover, be it another inviting lounge, the bar or the library. Elsewhere you’ll find a cinema, hammam, gym, roof terrace, pristine gardens and an elegant pool shaded by mature palm trees.