Morocco Now Open

June 24th, 2021

As of June 15, 2021, Morocco reopened to U.S and Canadian citizens. Morocco announced a two-tiered system, classifying countries into “List A,” including the U.S. and Canada, and “List B” with different entry requirements for each list. Travelers from ‘A’ countries are now welcome as long as they submit a negative PCR test administered within 48 hours of arrival or proof of vaccination.

When planning the next trip, look no further than the King of Morocco’s own hotel, Royal Mansour Marrakech. The palatial estate has long been the destination for travelers seeking privacy within the medina walls while also enjoying quick access to the city’s cultural icons from the Majorelle Gardens to Jemaa el-Fnaa. Guests are welcomed with an open-air courtyard, over seven acres of lush gardens and 53 private multi-story riads dotted along petal-pink pathways. No elevators; no carts; no rooms; no crowds. With recently extended gardens and wellbeing programming, here’s what’s new and noteworthy at Royal Mansour Marrakech.

What’s New

Garden Party: Royal Mansour recently debuted a private dining space elevated 14 feet above the property’s newly expanded gardens. Aptly titled The Nest, the 430-square-foot open-air dining space is an extension of the property’s poolside restaurant, Le Jardin, featuring a Mediterranean and Asian-fusion menu by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. Nestled within the lemon and palm trees, The Nest offers a hidden sanctuary for up to eight guests with uninterrupted views over Marrakech and the Koutoubia Mosque’s Atlas tower. Each dining experience is completely customizable as the team works with guests to finalize curated playlists, floral arrangements, and exclusive menus.

Retreat to the Spa: Accessed through a private citrus grove, the three-story, 27,000-square-foot spa features an elaborate white birdcage atrium welcoming guests and locals alike. This September, Royal Mansour Marrakech is launching new multi-day wellness retreats, marking a new era for the property as a global wellness destination. Available as three-, five-, seven- or 14-day retreats, guests can choose between the Rebalance, Rejuvenation, Immunity Boost, and Weight Control programs – with the goal of improving both mental and physical health. Each program is completely customizable and offers a 360-degree approach with treatments, nutrition (eating healthy but well at the property’s four restaurants led by Michelin-starred chefs), and activities including private cooking classes and Pilates.

Wellbeing Through Art: Surrounded by the quiet serenity of the property’s gardens, Royal Mansour has also designated a new artist’s studio, Atelier d’Artiste, housed in a glass-paneled greenhouse, to host art therapy sessions including painting, modeling, pottery, and calligraphy, each beginning with a guided meditation. Available a la carte or as part of the multi-day wellness retreats, guests will choose between private, couples, or family sessions with the resident expert. The two-hour creative workshops aim to relieve stress, reduce anxiety, and encourage self-reflection through the act of learning a new skill.

Where Italy Meets Morocco

For a taste of Italy in Marrakech, Sesamo is an Italian dining concept orchestrated by noted Chef Massimiliano Alajmo, whose family-owned group of restaurants in Italy has earned a total of five Michelin stars. In fact, Chef Massimiliano is the youngest chef to be awarded three Michelin stars (at age 28) and his restaurant in Italy, La Calendre, is consistently ranked as one of the top 50 restaurants in the world.  Combining his Italian roots and locally sourced Moroccan ingredients, he has crafted new dishes, including garlic and red pepper spaghetti with vegetables from Royal Mansour’s gardens, for the menu, in addition to signature offerings from La Calendre. This marks his first partnership with a hotel.

A Hotel Within a Hotel

Privacy is the trend that is here to stay, and each of Royal Mansour’s accommodations is an individual, three-story riad with a private entrance. The four-bedroom Grand Riad is the undisputed crown jewel. Referred to as the “hotel within the hotel,” the 19,375 square-foot residence features a private library, two swimming pools, a cinema, hammam, gym, multiple dining and living rooms and a glass-enclosed split-level terrace with a retractable roof. Guests of the Grand Riad also enjoy the services of a dedicated staff that includes a chef, watchman, housekeepers and butlers as well as a private driveway entrance to the property.

Experiences in the Red City:

Scents of Marrakech: Not open to the public, guests of Royal Mansour are granted exclusive access to acclaimed French perfumer Serge Lutens’ 2.5-acre Marrakech home and laboratory. Built by combining 60 riads, the space took almost 30 years to design with its intricately carved ceilings, locally inspired stained-glass windows and seemingly endless succession of plush sitting rooms. The experience begins with a ride through the Medina in a vintage motorcycle sidecar before arriving at the Serge Lutens estate for a private tour. No photos are allowed inside making this a trip guests truly need to see to believe.

Marrakech Two Ways: Escape the city for an overnight experience in the Sahara Desert, the largest hot desert in the world. Flying over the Atlas Mountains, the journey takes guests into the Chigaga dunes, considered by many to be the largest and still untouched dunes in Morocco. Guided through the desert and over the dunes, lunch is served in the midst of the Zagora palm grove. After a camel ride to camp, guests will watch the sunset before sitting down around a campfire for live music and dinner under the night sky with local Toureg guides.

How To Get There: There are currently direct flights from Washington D.C., New York, and Montreal to Casablanca. Travelers can then opt for a quick connecting flight into Marrakech or arrange a private car transfer with Royal Mansour – complete with complimentary WIFI for the two-hour drive. The arrival is seamless as guests of the hotel are met as they step off the plane and are guided through the airport, assisting with customs and side-stepping any long lines along the way.

Leave a Reply

Categories

Archives

« »