ROYAL Mansour Marrakech, commissioned to be built by the King of Morocco King Mohamed VI, is expected to open on November 1. This hotel will represent an entirely new concept in the luxury hotel industry.
Located within the medina walls of Marrakech, guest accommodation will be in 53 individual riads comprising 78 bedrooms, with private courtyards, fountains and plunge pools as well as the most luxurious Moroccan furnishings such as silks, brocades, antiques and hand crafted furniture. Most riads have one bedroom (sized from 150 sq m), but there are also two, three or four bedroom units (2,000 sq m in size). All ground floors have an outdoor patio, living room, bar and lobby. The larger riads also have galleries and dining rooms with bars.
Many of the facades and ceilings have been hand crafted and hand finished with intricate designs, and, says general manager of the hotel Jean Pierre Chaumard, the hotel is set to be the “best hotel in Morocco and thereafter one of the most impressive hotels worldwide”.
Guests will have an entire riad to themselves, each holding its own distinctive character. One of the most interest features for hotel guests that relish their privacy is that of the service. “It will be very discreet, understated and intuitive,” said Chaumard. “Staff will access the accommodation discreetly through a network of underground tunnels, and they will leave just as quietly.”
About 350 skilled staff of many different nationalities will be available on the 3.5 hectare property, which is completely surrounded by its own wall, one side being the existing city wall. The hotel will also offer a 2,500 sq m spa and two hammams (one for men and one for women) with three areas (hot, warm and cold for each).
Dining options include a fine dining Moroccan restaurant, a lobby bar and lounge, a cigar and liquor bar and a tea lounge. Other guest services include 24 hour room service, valet and maid service and butler service.
The Royal Mansour is hoping to attract clients from the Middle East, Russian, UK and Germany, Morocco’s principal markets. The hotel is 15 minutes from Menara International Airport and 2½ hours drive from Casablanca. Within driving distance are a number of prestigious golf courses, the Ourika Valley, Oukaimden ski station and The Door of The Desert (Ouarzazate).