GLA Hotels has opened Selman Marrakech hotel in Morocco - its first managed property in the Moroccan resort city.

The 56-room Selman Marrakech was designed by French architect Jacques Garcia and is owned by the local Bennani Smires family of entrepreneurs.

Facilities include the 1,200sq m (12,900sq ft) Espace Vitalite Chenot spa, which houses seven treatment rooms, four hydrotherapy rooms, a hammam, two outdoor heated pools and a relaxation pool.

Arranged around a central square pool, the seven treatment rooms are hidden behind latticework screens.

The spa offers treatments using the Chenot method, as it is practiced at the Henri Chenot Centre at Palace Merano in Merano, Italy.

Hennri Chenot's concept of health focuses on the principle of "Biontology", based on understanding the evolution of vital resources for the human body at different ages of life.

Dominique Chenot, wife of Henri, oversaw the development of the spa at Selman. She said: "The Selman Marrakech took a very conscious decision in choosing us to differentiate themselves in today's commoditized market.

"The spa has been organised in line with the application of the Chenot method and like all the spas that carry our insignia. Our spa consists of five different biontology departments that work together and complement each other.

According to Chenot, the five sections are:

• The department for massage and beauty treatments for the face, body and scalp.

• The department for hydrotherapy which involves whole body wraps, water jet massages and immersion in corrective mixtures of essential oils.

• The department of corrective aesthetics that uses advanced technology, soon to be in the presence of a cosmetic surgeon.

• The fitness and wellness department equipped with the latest machines.

• The culinary biontology department offers a choice of Biolight menus in the restaurant.

"All of this allows us to offer our guests a complete program to help restore harmony, wellness and energy," Chenot added.

Outside of the spa, one of the resort's signature guest experiences are the Selman Stables. The stables house 12 purebred Arabian horses, as well as trekking horses, enabling guests to explore the surrounding landscapes on horseback.

Details: www.selman-marrakech.com