If ever there was an apt name for a hotel, this has got to be it – because, of all the ‘royal’ establishments out there, this one is truly regal.
Are you going to Marrakech on a commercial flight? Don’t worry, the RM will give you the private jet treatment on arrival anyway: as you step on the tarmac, its representatives whisk you off to a VIP area while they deal with passport control and luggage collection.
The black limousine delivers you to the hotel compound where you are met by the prerequisite Moroccan dress staff opening the gates to splendid walled gardens that hide 52 private riads from prying eyes.
There are no rooms at Royal Mansour – every guest gets his or her individual slice of paradise, complete with their own spa or small pool (these, in addition to the two main pools on the grounds – one open, the other covered).
Marrakech has long been the secret of the beautiful set but in the last decade or so, the secret got out and the proliferation of sumptuous old houses turned into B&Bs or boutique hotels has seen the city metamorphose into one of the most chic destinations in the world.
As the King of Morocco invested into Royal Mansour, there was never going to be any question of competition – even though it is not easy to compete with established and iconic landmarks such as the Mamounia next door.
And so, the Royal Mansour has done everything bigger and more luxurious than any of the Marrakech greats. To begin with, the hotel could just as easily be a museum or a gallery celebrating Moroccan craftsmanship at its absolute best. 1200 craftsmen worked for 3 years to create mosaics of exquisite beauty, gold leaf ceilings, carved walls, and a multitude of exceptional details that make for an exceptional interior.
The through walk starting at the entrance and culminating at the garden and swimming pool is a succession of plunge pools, intricate bird cages, fountains and damasked sofas that make you feel as if you’ve suddenly alighted on the set of One Thousand and One Nights.
Our riad, although one of the smallest, is spread over 3 floors and comes with its enclosed open air courtyard where you can relax while stargazing, a sumptuous sitting room with a real fireplace (you would appreciate the wood fire if visiting in the winter, even though the days are balmy) and a terrace with a hot tub spa.
The middle floor houses the sleeping quarters, with the signature wooden shutters, soft leathers and textured Moroccan fabrics. The bathroom is a wet room with an Olympian size rose marble pool.
The ‘barely there’ staff use a dedicated service entrance and would rekindle the fire on request. We were pleased to have our fruit platter replenished daily and appreciated the personalised, gold-embossed stationery left for us in a leather folder – a special touch that I have not encountered anywhere else on my travels.
The hotel spa is housed in its own building of classic build and proportions, dreamily positioned in a secret garden.
The hotel has 3 restaurants fringing its main courtyard: a traditional Moroccan that was perpetually full, a Grande Table Française that is suitably formal and the breakfast/lunch one in the gardens by the pool that is deservedly popular. Indeed, we spotted Jack Lang, former French Minister of Culture, there on the opening day of the Marrakech Biennale.
The Royal Mansour is not a hotel for travellers looking for value – rather, it is for those looking to experience a dream-like indulgence of regal proportions.
Rue Abou Abbas El Sebti
40 000 MARRAKECH
MAROC
Phone: + 212 5 29 80 80 80
Email: info@royalmansour.ma
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