Royal Mansour, Marrakech To Debut In November

King Mohammed VI of Morocco is getting into the hotel business. In a big way. Slated for opening in November of this year, the King’s Royal Mansour, Marrakech, will feature 53 individual riads, or Moroccan-style villas, on eight exquisitely landscaped acres. How do we know the grounds will be breathtaking? Because no expense has been spared here in assembling a superstar team to bring the project to fruition. In the case of the grounds, the landscaping design is being lead by Luis Vallejo, whose resume includes landscaping for the Alhambra de Granada. The chef? Three-star Michelin chef Yannick Alléno, formerly of Le Meurice, heads the cuisine as Executive Chef with three different restaurant concepts, all focusing on reinterpretations of traditional Moroccan fare.  The property will be managed by noted hotelier Jean Pierre Chaumard, who has previously run iconic hotels such as the Royal Palm in Mauritius.

Built into the ancient walls of Marrakech, the hotel is designed to recreate an historical medina, punctuated with Andalusian courtyards, winding alleyways, water displays and fountains. Individual riads range in size from 1,400 to 21,520 square-feet and are furnished with silks and brocades, ornate tiles, and handcrafted wood and antique furniture.  Other elements include open-air courtyards and roof terraces with sun beds and private pools featuring views of Marrakech or the Atlas mountains.  A  26,900 square-foot spa is also part of the sublime surroundings.  Located in its own glazed pavilion surrounded by a moat, the Moroccan-themed spa will offer a fitness center, multiple treatment rooms, and an indoor pool.

The project is part of the King’s “Vision 2010” plan, which seeks to attract ten million visitors to the country by 2010. Don’t count on this hotel being part of a charter package though.

Phone Number: +212 (0) 5 24 37 83 39  (website under construction)