For anyone who devoured the brilliant Netflix hit show, Inventing Anna, you will know that city of Marrakech in Morrocco had a key role, playing host to fake heiress, Anna Delvey, when she took her friends on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to a beautiful and luxurious hotel (before being exposed as a con artist who couldn’t pay the bill.) Well, while the show – based on a true story – was set and filmed at the famous La Mamounia hotel, we think we might just have found an even more beautiful, more luxurious and even more fabulous hotel: Royal Mansour Marrakech. A property so stunning, with such attention to detail and impeccable hospitality, that never mind feeling like a millionaire heiress, your stay will make you feel like royalty, which is apt as the hotel was designed by the king of Morocco, King Mohammed VI, as a sanctuary for his friends and family.
The entrance alone is magnificent. Arriving past security and through a giant triumphal arch, which is modelled on Marrakech's signature city gates, you enter the open air lobby with palms, fountains, traditional hanging lanterns and swathed in billowing white curtains. All the interiors, featuring acres of refined zellij (geometric mosaic), stucco, carved wood and cut bronze and silver furniture were completed by over 1,500 local artisans.
The property's 53 riads – each with their own private pool – are housed within the imperial city walls and come together to create a mini Medina, although this one is infinitely more tranquil. The grounds are overlooked by the peaks of the Atlas Mountains and set in five hectares of the most sweetly scented gardens with wafts of jasmine, orange blossom and lavender at every turn. There’s also an impressive swimming pool surrounded by palm trees. It’s worth remembering the exact route to your riad, as it’s easy to get lost in the beautiful winding pink roads of the resort.
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The hotel is pricey, there’s no denying it, so for most it is likely that a stay here is a once-in-a-lifetime holiday situation. And given Marrakech’s world-class reputation for luxury, Royal Mansour is regarded as the gold standard hotel in the city to experience that level of impeccable hospitality. It really is that good. While Royal Mansour is undoubtedly romantic, so would be perfect for a honeymoon, it is also ideal for a girls’ weekend away. The hotel accommodates children brilliantly and for 4 - 10-year-olds there’s the Le Jardin de Lila kids’ club, situated in a secluded area set back from the swimming pool. For older children the concierge can help plan activities such as dune boarding or horse riding. Babysitting is also available on request.
Superbly situated a 20 minute walk into the medina or 5 minutes in a taxi, the location is ideal. And as with most hotels in Marrakech, the airport is a mere 10 minutes drive which makes a real difference in overall travel time. (Flights from the UK are around 3 and a half hours.) Do take advantage of the hotel’s VIP service at the airport complete with fast track at immigration and a chauffeur-driven Bentley. Marrakech is the perfect destination for winter sun and when we visited in March, it was a glorious 28degrees and balmy in the evenings.
Cyprus for those who like the finer things in life.
Where to begin? Firstly: a lot of stairs in each private riad, but that’s perhaps the only small-ish downside of the incredible accommodation. Each riad (which vary in size from 1, 2 and even 3 bedrooms) is situated over three floors. (Each room category has an adapted version for wheelchair users.) Entering via a private mini courtyard, complete with water feature, the ground floor has a study and kitchenette (with separate entrance for butler and waiting staff). Up the winding marble staircase to the first floor with separate luggage area, bedroom and ensuite bathroom - which is like entering a jewel box made of marble and silver. The rooms themselves manage to be luxurious, yet cosy with intricately carved wooden shutters, thick opulent curtains and fireplaces. Every conceivable comfort and amenity is on hand including digitally controlled lighting, air-conditioning and heating and a fully stocked minibar. Then it us up the winding marble staircase once again to the true piece de resistance: a private rooftop terrace with plunge pool overlooking the city - perfect for sunbathing or indeed sundowners.
A female Michelin starred chef for starters! World-renowned Helene Darroze, who has 6 Michelin stars to her name, has recently joined Royal Mansour and presides over the restaurants La Grande Brasserie and La Grande Table Marocaine which serve a combination of French and traditional Moroccan fare. Breakfast in the outdoor courtyard of La Table is an event in itself with a tiered silver cake stand of perfect fluffy French pastries and cakes served with piping hot coffee, before you’ve even opened the a la carte menu. For lunch, the poolside Le Jardin is a must where they serve a range of sushi and sashimi alongside more traditional brasserie style food. The Wok cooked prawns and burnt aubergine were delicious. As you retire for an afternoon dozing by the pool, you will be served with complimentary framboise smoothies and pistachio and mint ice cream delivered to your sunlounger.
It’s worth noting that Morocco, being a Muslim country, imposes a very high tax on alcohol and the bottles of wine on the menu within the hotel are delicious, but also tres expensive. If you fancy a few drinks on a budget, a good tip is to purchase some alcohol at duty free at the airport and store in the minibar at your riad for those rooftop sundowners.
Regarded as the best in Marrakech - if not the whole of Morocco - even if you are not having a treatment (and I highly recommend you do) the architecture of the spa alone is not to be missed. Entering a sunlight-filled dome of bright white lace-like lattice, the building is like a fairytale castle. With ten spa rooms and three private spa suites, plus a hamam, indoor swimming pool under a giant orangery style canopy. The spa features product lines from marocMaroc, Sisley, Intraceuticals, Subtle Energies and Dr Burgener. I had a Relaxing Massage by marocMaroc and it was a truly multi-sensual experience - the head massage made me leave the room! There is a full gym and fitness centre, offering classes including yoga as well as a hair salon where you can have manicures and pedicures too.
Une tres chic vacances!
Marrakech is a feast for the senses - and shopping! The vast medina – Marrakech's ancient fortified citadel dating back to the Berber Empire – is a shopping paradise with winding alleys lined with souks selling jewellery, textiles, ceramics and more! Prepare to barter, it’s expected and treated like a sport. Do stop at the locally renowned and very popular Nomad restaurant for a delicious lunch (although it does not serve alcohol and booking in advance is advised.)
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The deep-blue Jardin Majorelle is another main attraction, a beautiful botanical garden owned by Yves Saint Laurent who lived with his partner, Pierre Berger, in the city. And the nearby Yves Saint Laurent museum is well worth a visit, featuring an Aladdin’s cave of the designer’s creations spanning his entire career. As well as mosques, gardens, restaurants and palaces if you fancy exploring, you’ll be spoiled for choice. That is if you can ever tear yourself away from the beauty and serenity of Royal Mansour, which, I have to admit we found quite a struggle.
1-bedroom Riads start from £1,200 (includes breakfast, Immigration Fast Track service + airport transfers in Marrakech).
