“A hotel without rooms” is how Aux Gazelles describes its sophisticated Moroccan establishment. The possibilities are indeed endless at the urban oasis—guests can eat at the deli, brasserie, or Caviar and Oyster bar; unwind with a cocktail at the bar; dance at the club or lounge on carpets and pillows while puffing on Arabic water pipes.

But the highlight of this vacation within the city is the hamman, a traditional steam bath. Clad only in a pestemal (body towel), guests luxuriate on hot marble slabs in three temperature zones (20, 40 and 50 degrees Celsius). The pampering ritual includes an exfoliating brush massage, a full-body soap and oil massage.

After the bath, a cup of thé de menthe or turkish coffee at the Bedouin-style Salon de Thé & Bazaar soothes and replenishes.