Where the unique colours of the South meet the warmth of the Moroccan way of life

Where the unique colours of the South meet the warmth of the Moroccan way of life Escape towards pleasure: first, the gentle light of a sun that shin...
Author: Austin Richard
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Where the unique colours of the South meet the warmth of the Moroccan way of life Escape towards pleasure: first, the gentle light of a sun that shines year-round in a clear sky, lending the winter months a springlike softness. Then the scents, flavours, art and music of a historic city that conceals itself behind battlements, yet opens its heart to modern life. This is the backdrop for a hotel where every moment brings a new sensation.

rriving in Marrakech, you’ll see the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains, the medina and its battlements, the Koutoubia Mosque and its famous minaret. Then you’ll sense the teeming vibrancy of the Jemaa el-Fna Square, the heady scents of the spice market, the throbbing music of the souks. Marrakech is a dream of a city, mysterious yet generous, endowed with infinite artistic and cultural riches. One thousand years of history and drama have left palaces, monuments, medersa schools, each more refined than the last. Ingenious designs have channelled the pure waters of the mountains to create gardens that are glimpses of paradise. Finally, in the heart of the medina, the magical spectacle of the souks sees skeins of wool turned into shimmering carpets, sheets of copper and tin transformed into lanterns beneath the smith’s dancing hammer, and wood carved to become as intricate as lacework. This is a city that inspires the painter, the poet, the flâneur and the dreamer.

In the heart of the medina, the souks are a magical spectacle, The first taste: your serene arrival, along Rue Abou Abbas El w h e r e s k e i n s o f w o o l Sebti, lined with hundred-year-old olive trees. There’s magic in become shimmering the air already. The monumental door, a work of art in cedarwood and chiselled bronze, opens onto the calm of the courtyard, where c a r p e t s , s h e e t s your personal butler awaits you beneath the pomegranate trees. o f m e t a l t u r n i n t o He proceeds with the utmost thoughtfulness, as he welcomes lanterns beneath you «home». Welcome to the warmth of Morocco; welcome to a the coppersmith’s world where amazing comes as standard. hammer, and wood The Royal Mansour Marrakech is more than simply is carved into lacy a spectacular hotel. This is a property born from a desire p a t t e r n s . Profoundly Moroccan, joyously cosmopolitan, Marrakech invites you to taste the art of living.

to celebrate the traditional and contemporary artistic heritage of an entire kingdom.

The uniqueness of the Royal Mansour Marrakech resides in its warm welcome, its sense of sharing, in the refinement of its service. It will awaken your senses, arouse new emotions, and offer you the pleasure of creating your own stories and future memories.

Moorish-Andalusian architecture and interior design celebrate the virtuosity of Morocco’s artists and craftsmen Every detail of the design has been conceived and rendered according to the greatest respect for tradition; the result will take your imagination on a journey out of time. Simply put, this is perfection. Even the peacefulness of the hotel sitting rooms seems like a masterstroke of design.

The Royal Mansour occupies the very heart of Marrakech, with the Place Jemaa el-Fna just a short walk away. Inside, things are different. It is cloistered, hushed domain, covering 5 hectares. In this private medina, discover a truly sophisticated take on the Moroccan way of life. The gardens are unmissable, naturally. The landscape architect Luis Vallejo plays superbly with space, deploying terracotta basins, seasonal planting and colour effects. Here, a minimal courtyard where palm-trees throw intricate shadows onto the ground. Here, a garden of citrus trees planted around a menzeh, a delicious pavilion of pleasure.

And, everywhere you go, the heady perfume of rose, jasmine, gardenia, honeysuckle, and fresh mint growing beneath the lemon trees. Water, vivid and refreshing, flows along channels, trickles, cascades, tinkles in fountains. Other than these soothing sounds, there’s nothing but birdsong to accompany your wanderings. Looking after the garden involves countless small tasks: subtle, detailed work that recreates a timeless world apart daily. A deep love of horticulture is among the life-affirming passions that The Royal Mansour invites its guests to share.

very guest at The Royal Mansour Marrakech has at their disposal a private realm: one of 53 riad houses. On the day of arrival, you’ll be accompanied through the alleyways of the hotel medina to the door of your riad. You’ll enter your home away from home via a patio courtyard, around which are arranged several living rooms. A stairway leads first to the bedrooms, all with sumptuous bathrooms and huge dressing rooms. On the roof terrace, a solarium, a plunge pool and a tented lounge invite you to relax in private.

Thanks to the creativity of Moroccan artisans, each riad is a unique, individually decorated residence. The design deploys zellige tiles, in their endless colour variations, tastefully matched with exquisite fabrics and unique pieces of furniture – a spellbinding backdrop for your stay. Capability, discretion and devotion are the watchwords of our service team. The butler, like a guardian angel, along with the concierge staff, will ensure your stay is super comfortable, responding to - even anticipating - your every need. Our discreet, meticulous staff are at your service day and night, never the least bit intrusive, yet bringing warmth to every interaction with the right little touches.

In your riad, your wish is our command and your dreams are reality You’ll discover – or rediscover – the Moroccan art of living, taken to virtual perfection

Velvet, silk, brocade, mousseline and organza drape the riads’ salons and bedrooms. Each has its own interior design, with craftsmen and decorators vying to outdo one another in refinement. On the walls are works of art both ancient and modern, every one an original.

s a guest of The Royal Mansour, this is your own private realm: your very own riad. On three levels, sitting rooms, bedroom and terrace offer beautiful private spaces in which life tends to unfold memorably. Your butler will drive you up to the door of your riad. It looks austere enough from the outside, yet once inside, how thrilling. Here, life is sweet: a shared meal, the glow from a fireplace, the murmur of a fountain, the scent of fresh roses and woody spice. In elegant sitting rooms set around a shady terrace, traditional Moroccan arts and crafts mix happily with beautiful art deco furniture and refined materials.

In the tradition of great travel writers, escape into a world of dreams and legends. In supremely comfortable bed chambers, silence and opulence go hand in hand. The dark wood of the moucharabieh screening off a spacious dressing room, the bathroom in onyx and marble, the plunge pool on the terrace, ready to refresh you on a hot day. By night, the fireplace, a cosy nook for stargazing. In the distance, the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains.

So much more than a luxury hotel, The Royal Mansour Marrakech is a fantasy world that is quite personal to each of its guests, a place where you’ll want to share special moments with your loved ones

The Royal Mansour Marrakech combines prestigious design with the ultimate luxury service The riads, from 430sq/m to 850sq/m in size, are inspired by traditional Moroccan houses. Each has its own character, with craftsmen from all over the country vying to be the best. Wood panelling, zellige tiles, polished tadlakt and intricate carved plaster showcase the infinite variety of Moroccan decorative arts. Around a marble courtyard, whose columns draw the eye upwards

to the skies over Marrakech, are arranged sitting rooms, a dining room, the bar or library. Upstairs, around this same courtyard, each bedroom has a bathroom and a dressing room, with a lounge area bringing them together. On the terrace, a solarium, tented relaxation space, dining area, and private hammam offer long moments of utter relaxation.

Moments you’ll want to share... You will also seek moments of celebration! The Royal Mansour Marrakech is ready to oblige, with impeccable, smiling, kid-glove service, suitable music for the occasion, and Moroccan, French, international and bespoke menus. In your riad, security, confidentiality and discretion are guaranteed.

Your riad, your preferences, your expert butler You can rely on your personal butler. He will take charge from the moment you arrive, unpacking your bags if you wish, and arranging your wardrobe. He’ll also advise you on what to do with your time here. He has a single aim: to see you make the most of your stay and relax completely. His ministrations are 24/7, yet his presence is ultra-discreet. Allow this guardian angel to surprise you.

Whichever of our three restaurants you choose t o d i n e i n , p r e pa r e t o b e t h r i l l e d by t h e ta l e n t, c r e at i v i t y a n d pa s s i o n o f s u p e r s ta r c h e f Ya n n i c k A l l é no

annick Alléno isn’t just a chef, not even just one of the most gifted chefs of his generation, but a true culinary adventurer. In order to delight guests of The Royal Mansour Marrakech, he has expanded and enriched his concept of cuisine.

names in gastronomy. You can tell a true great by his humble attitude. Of the French and Moroccan Royal Mansour Grandes Tables, Alléno says: «Since the very first day, I’ve felt grateful for the chance to work in a place like this.»

Since 2007, the garlands have not stopped coming for this prodigious culinary explorer. Awarded chef of the year for 2008, gaining Michelin stars for his Parisian restaurants, and recognised again by Gault & Millau in 2015, he has taken his place among the greatest

His work is based on a selfless way of thinking: he believes that a great dining experience should be varied. «Then there is something to appeal to every taste: fine dining, French, Moroccan, contemporary…» He brings this idea to life with an elevated pairing of tradition with invention.

Exalted by Yannick Alléno, Moroccan culinary traditions take flight in a gastronomic context

especting tradition, exploring the richness of Morocco’s «terroir», championing quality and fresh produce, then applying his famous gastronomic know-how – this is Chef’s credo. Yannick Alléno and his team have established La Grande Table Marocaine as the top Moroccan fine dining restaurant in the country: when tradition meets innovation, the results are never less than lyrical.

«Moroccan terroir is rich in colour, flavour, subtlety, honesty. To translate its culinary traditions into the language of fine dining, you must be sure not to betray those qualities» Yannick Alléno For example, sh’hiwates, or Moroccan-style vegetable salad, makes a fresh, sun-kissed starter. Shoulder of lamb, cooked at low temperature until it is falling off the bone, is a signature dish. The seabream tangia with olives combines subtle and bold flavours.

F

A gastronomic experience with added sunshine

or Yannick Alléno, to prepare French haute cuisine amid Moroccan terroir is for him to find a new creative direction. This sunshine cuisine combines warmth and freshness, the finest Moroccan produce, and many southern touches. Expect French cooking with a Moroccan twist. Verjus made

from grapes, citrus or tomato might be used in sauces instead of wine. Slow cooking methods make something new out of spider crab, lobster, succulent meat or Moroccan black truffle. Yet French gastronomic tradition prevails, with meals revolving around a main dish shared among dining companions. Along with all this gustatory refinement comes theatrically elegant decor, the crystalware and the silver.

A feast of simple pleasures shared La Table is open at all hours of the day, from breakfast to dinner. Here, Yannick Alléno treats premium produce with a great simplicity, always adding a touch of creativity. Think lobster with beurre blanc, red mullet with pasta pesto, club sandwich with caviar. Take breakfast in the garden, lunch in a private salon, tea under the loggia… La Table will charm you with all its choices.

At The Royal Mansour Marrakech, sweet treats are a must, for the pleasure of adults and children alike. Our head pastry chef loves to discover new delights to thrill guests. The vitrine gourmande is a showcase for pâtisserie and confectionery, to be found in La Table restaurant, pleasing not just to the palate but also to the eye.

La Table restaurant makes family breakfast, brunch and teatime a real pleasure again. It’s a groaning table of delights, from viennoiserie and preserves made in-house using oranges and lemons grown in the grounds, to the best fish and shellfish, meats, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Life at The Royal Mansour Marrakech also means extra moments of pleasure added to each day: the conviviality of the bar, good conversations in the salons, time spent with a book

The decor is surprising, amazing. The atmosphere is seductive, enchanting. The Royal Mansour Marrakech is a hotel where you’ll want to linger. Life here is in turn calm and peaceful, then lively and animated. According to your mood and the time of day, you can alternate moments of quiet solitude with joyful conviviality. The bar of The Royal Mansour has all the elegant spirit of the Roaring Twenties, with a pervading atmosphere of glamour

and sophistication. This is the social hub of the hotel, with a stunning art deco interior, mirrored walls coated in gold leaf and, up above the gold-inlaid bar, a silver ceiling sculpted by hand. Musical glamour and cocktail soirées The bar has its own musical programme, a subtle selection of sounds in perfect harmony with the surroundings: tunes mixed magnificently, plus live DJ sets and guest musicians, sophisticated enough to attract true nightlife connoisseurs.

It’s important to take the time to live, explore your passions, share your joys. The Royal Mansour Marrakech is a place dedicated to these moments. In the fireplace lounge, a realm of leather, suede and sculpted, inlaid wood panelling, there’s always music, the pianist’s sallies sweetly transporting the comfortably ensconced dreamer. Look out towards the garden through the transparent chimneypiece: the fire seems to crackle away beneath the palm-trees. Upstairs you’ll find a sitting room for devotees of the

old-fashioned, hushed kind of club room. Sycamore and mother-of-pearl tracery adorns a glass-topped cabinet full of sought-after cigars. On the other side of the terrace, the library invites you to lose yourself in Moroccan culture, from literature and decorative arts to tales of Marrakech and Morocco. Savour the meaningful marquetry of the bookshelves, which symbolises philosophical thought. Raise your head a moment to hear the tinkling of water in the courtyard beneath, or look out over the Marrakech skyline.

«Les bains» are at the heart of Moroccan culture, a world of peaceful tranquility in which benefits bestowed on the body also lift soul and spirit. Natural light, melodious birdsong and the soothing sound of fountains add to the serene picture. In the Spa Royal Mansour Marrakech, a 2,500sq/m space is given over to relaxation and wellbeing. On the ground floor, you are welcomed into an atrium of whitewashed wrought iron, before entering one of two hammams; there is also the Watsu pool and a relaxation area. The spa tea lounge serves balanced, healthy dishes, along with herbal teas and fruit juices.

On the first floor you’ll find ten treatment rooms where guests come for massage, facials, hydrotherapy, body wraps and traditional therapies. Three special suites allow those in search of extra privacy to book their own space, and also take a light, healthy lunch or dinner. The finest products are used in all our treatments, as selected by The Royal Mansour’s team of experts: for the body, the marocMaroc line, made in France using traditional Moroccan ingredients; for facial treatments, Dr Hauschka or Sisley products, according to skin type; an exclusive range of Chanel make-up and skincare; and Leonor Greyl’s natural haircare products.

Let go completely during the wonderfully restorative hammam experience Following a traditional cleansing scrub with black soap, you’ll be slathered in moisturising body cream and a hair masque, then finally left to rest in a quiet alcove behind a wooden moucharabieh screen. Each treatment begins with a bespoke consultation. Our expert spa team create personalised programmes, based on each guest’s particular needs and fitness level, including advice on diet, exercise and lifestyle.

Swim, splash about and make the most of the Marrakech sunshine all year round in one of The Royal Mansour’s indoor or outdoor pools Offering the very best in haircare with natural products, and creative hairdressing with a warm welcome, the hair salon is a truly d e l i g h t f u l r e t r e a t. The hair salon has four private cabins, and a team whose wealth of technical skills in haircare and styling is second to none. A fifth cabin is dedicated to manicure/ pedicure, likewise using natural products, and carried out with the same level of technical brilliance. Light-filled, airy and energising, the sports and fitness room is huge yet hidden away by a sunken garden. Equipment is state-of-the art, and a coach is on hand, at your request, to help you devise a personalised fitness programme ranging from relaxing to demanding.

At The Royal Mansour Marrakech, we love to make sure our junior guests are super happy

Nothing is too much trouble for our junior guests! We want them to come away with the most marvellous memories of their family holiday. Presents await them, and we’ll help you to choose the best outings, activities and sights for their age group. Back at the hotel, young guests between four and twelve have their own private club, where a highly qualified minder will supervise them, whether it’s little ones going for their nap, or older children at play. The choice of activities will delight them all, from games around the kids’ club pool to computer game competitions, from a treasure hunt around the hotel medina to Arabic lessons!

Our aim: to perfectly recreate the most wonderful way to live, and the emotions that go with it Your imagination propels you towards your greatest dreams. You expect your experience to be dazzling. You want your stay to bring joy to you and your companions. The Royal Mansour Marrakech has this simple answer to these desires: «It all awaits you – we’re ready. Are you?»

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