Royal Mansour: The Best Hotel in Marrakech?
Once owned by the King of Morocco, the Royal Mansour has a lot to live up to. This 5 star hotel is located in the heart of Morocco, a stone’s throw from the city’s ancient Medina. But, is it the best hotel in Marrakech?
I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Royal Mansour Marrakech, and I can tell you first hand it is an absolute oasis in an otherwise bustling city. Accommodation is laid out amongst individual three-story riads, ensuring the ultimate privacy and space for its guests.
Blending together the perfect mixture of new and traditional, the property was completed in 2010, a surprise to many who stay here as it feels as though you are stepping inside a palace that has been standing for far longer (in the best way ever!).
The 53 riads are spread throughout the 9-acre estate, some with multiple bedrooms, perfect for families and friends. Guests enjoy their own beautiful entryway that leads into a downstairs hall way, living area, kitchen and downstairs bathroom.
Decor is lavish and each room is an ode to the Moroccan way of life. Upstairs visitors can expect to find a dressing room, spacious bedroom, lavish bathroom, and a roof-top terrace boasts a plunge pool and sweeping views of the estate.
The food at the Royal Mansour is as superb as the home comforts. The main restaurant, La Table, offers delicious French food with a twist. the real cherry on the cake is La Grande Table Marocaine, an incredible fine-dining restaurant serving the best Moroccan cuisine in Africa. A traditional Moroccan musician gently fills the room as guests peruse a menu create by 12 Michelin Star chef Yannick Alléno. The finesse of French cooking is combined with Morocco’s culinary heritage to create an explosion of taste and flavour in every dish.
Throughout the hotel there are a number of relaxing bars to enjoy a tipple before dinner or bed. Dimmed lights and gentle music create a romantic atmosphere and sense of peace that you just don’t experience in other areas of Marrakech.
Next up… the spa, possibly the most iconic in the city. Designed to feed your senses but not overwhelm. The experience of the spa at Royal Mansour starts from the moment you walk in, citrus gardens surround the entrance, offering a gentle fragrance that will follow you inside. The spa is fully stocked with MarocMaroc products, using locally source ingredients and offers full body wellness and rejuvenation.
Whilst tempting to stay within the hotel estate for a few days, we decided to go out and explore the nearby Medina. We were met at the hotel by our guide and headed into the city centre at 9am. I have been to Marrakech before an having a guide made a world of difference.
We were able to explore in a relaxed manner with a guide who new his way around, no chance of getting lost! The concierge at Royal Mansour have access to the best guides in the city to ensure you experience the best of what Marrakech has to offer.
There are plenty of activities to enjoy, but we opted for a sunrise hot air balloon, another incredible moment that I would recommend to travellers. Marrakech is located between the High Atlas Mountains and the Agafay mineral desert, giving it an extremely beautiful and diverse landscape is best appreciated from the air.
Other activities include helicopter desert tours, visits to Berber villages, dining in the mountains, visits to the Yves Saint-Laurent museum, and trips to the unmissable Majorelle Garden.
All in all, the Royal Mansour Marrakech is a hotel that does not disappoint. It embodies the brilliance of Marrakech an combines it with the highest levels of luxury and service. No detail is missed, it can be an opportunity to relax and escape from the world, or it can be a chance to immerse yourself into the hustle and bustle of Moroccan culture.
