First look at Morocco's revamped La Mamounia

The orange Hermes everywhere! The brass chandeliers! The bed that could fit a football team! The incessant petit fours at every turn! The pillows, the linen, the Dedon furniture on the extended balcony, the views over palm trees and the High Atlas mountains - Morocco (and North Africa's) most famous hotel, La Mamounia, is nearly open.

We're one of the first to flounce through the hotel in its soft opening, before it all becomes official and splashed about the world's press on 29 Sept. So here's a sneak peak, about to do an official tour of the glorious gardens and the beautiful bars and restaurants - will report back. It's a job...