Noria Golf Club

The closing holes at Noria Golf Club play alongside a long traditional water basin that runs out from the clubhouse, making the ninth and 18th feel connected even as they bring different six-hole sections to a finish. Steve Forrest’s 18-hole design is arranged as the Garden, Orchard and Dune loops, so the scenery shifts noticeably through the round. Lavender fields, olive groves and water all come into play beneath the Atlas Mountains, whose snow-capped peaks provide a clear backdrop on fine days. There is room from the tee on much of the course, but the stronger test begins with the approach, where bunkering, hazards and green positions demand proper distance control. It is a layout that gives mixed groups a fair game while leaving the better player with plenty to think about. A practice facility beside the course is useful for settling into the pace of the greens before teeing off.

Between rounds, the clubhouse provides the natural base. Designed by Moroccan architect Youssef Meheli, its two storeys, tower and surrounding gardens look across the fairways towards the mountains, while the restaurant offers a comfortable place to linger over lunch after the morning round. A Moroccan-style bell tower is a recurring landmark on the course and helps give Noria a sense of place without distracting from the golf. Set near Marrakech, it suits a holiday where golf can take centre stage during the day, with the city’s restaurants, souks and evening atmosphere close enough to shape the time away from the fairways.