By: Beatrice Turner
The Royal Mansour Marrakech is a luxury hotel located in Marrakech, Morocco. It is renowned for its opulence, exquisite design, and exceptional service. Built as a tribute to traditional Moroccan architecture and craftsmanship, the hotel is a lavish oasis in the heart of the city.
Accommodations
One of the standout features of the Royal Mansour Marrakech is that it consists of individual riads, which are traditional Moroccan houses. Each riad at the hotel is a three-story private residence with its own entrance, courtyard, and rooftop terrace. The riads vary in size, from one to four bedrooms, providing an intimate and exclusive experience for guests.
The interior design of the Royal Mansour Marrakech is a true masterpiece. Highly skilled artisans have adorned the riads with intricate woodwork, delicate plaster carvings, colorful zellij tilework, and luxurious fabrics. The rooms and suites are incredibly spacious and feature private plunge pools, rooftop terraces, and luxurious amenities. The attention to detail is remarkable, and no two riads are alike, creating a unique and personalized atmosphere.
Upon arrival at the hotel, guests are welcomed by a team of dedicated staff members who provide impeccable service throughout their stay. Every guest at the Royal Mansour Marrakech is assigned a personal butler who is available 24/7 to cater to their needs. The staff at the Royal Mansour Marrakech are known for their attentiveness, anticipating guests’ needs and ensuring a seamless and memorable experience. From arranging personalized itineraries to providing exclusive dining experiences, the hotel staff strives to create a truly immersive and indulgent stay for guests.
Dining
The culinary experiences at the Royal Mansour Marrakech are equally exceptional. The hotel offers several dining options, including Michelin-starred restaurant, overseen by renowned French chef Yannick Alléno. From authentic Moroccan cuisine to international dishes, guests can savor a variety of flavors in elegant surroundings.
Spa and Wellness
For relaxation and rejuvenation, the Royal Mansour Marrakech features a stunning spa spread across three floors. The spa offers a range of treatments inspired by traditional Moroccan techniques, using natural ingredients to create a truly indulgent experience. The spa features private hammams, steam rooms, and a serene swimming pool, providing a tranquil oasis amidst the bustling city.
Surrounding Area
Outside the hotel, Marrakech offers a wealth of attractions to explore. The Royal Mansour Marrakech is conveniently located near the historic Medina, allowing guests to easily discover the city’s vibrant markets, palaces, and gardens. Please see below for our favorite route to walk about this captivating city!
Our Favorite Marrakech Walking Route
Distance: Just over two miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Family Friendliness: Perfect for children who are capable of walking this distance.
Length: Approximately two-hours, which allows for time to peruse.
We fully agree with Seth Sherwood’s June 2023 New York Times article that states this 2.2-mile walk is an essential journey for all travelers to Marrakech.
The open-air Medina market, known also as the historic neighborhood from which the city was born, is the beating heart of this ancient city. At nearly double the size of New York’s Central Park, it is the perfect place to go for a stroll and spend an afternoon exploring. This walk will take you through the many narrow passageways, made up of identical stands and stalls in a maze of shops, colors, and smells. Before departing, it is essential to pack a bottle of water and sunscreen (as temperatures can easily approach 100 degrees), light and breathable clothing that covers the entire body (revealing clothes are highly frowned upon in Islamic societies), and an open mind with a willingness to fully immerse into this setting, where getting lost is almost a given(!).
This walk begins at Jemaa El Fna. The archway of the white horseshoe will mark the starting point, leading to Rue Riad Zeitoun el-Kadim, where you will head southbound. This carnivalesque atmosphere is filled with cobbled streets with carts pulled by mules, the music of Arabic pop songs, and a range of smells from freshly baked bread and perfumes to foul drains and intricate spices.
As you continue, the street will open onto Place des Ferblantiers where you will come across the El Badi Palace. This impressive 16th century ruin is a peaceful place to visit and learn of the history of this area. Wonder the stone paths and mosaic tiled floors the lead you through sunken gardens and chambers but be sure to shift your eyes upward at some point to take note of the storks up in their nests!
After your visit, head eastward on Rue Bahia Bab Mellah. On your right, take note of the residential lanes and continue down the one called Derb Talmud Tora, which will lead you to the former Jewish Quarter known as the “Mellah”. Built in the 1500’s, this area was constructed in order to house the Jewish refugees that fled Spain after the defeat of the Moors in 1492. Today, only approximately 100 Jews still remain in Marrakech. As you continue, you will be met by the Slat Lazama, a synagogue and museum with a beautiful interior courtyard and a vaulted room for prayer. Further down the street, the Jewish Cemetery can be found, resembling a haunting sea of horizontal white gravestones. Take a moment to reflect, before continuing on your journey.
The old Jewish cemetery in Mellah quarter, Marrakech, Morocco.
From the Mellah, continue northbound up Rue Djane Ben Chegra and then Rue Laarassi. Here, you will be thrown into the life of one of the 100,000 locals who sleep, work, study, and raise families here in the medina. Absorb all the noises that surround you such as the schoolchildren and the rumblings of saws and physical labor as you make your way down Rue Sidi Boulabada and then north again along Rue Bab Ahmad. It is here that you will encounter crowds of people purchasing the fresh produce, such as live chicken, bright red tomatoes, and sticky pastries. Be sure to keep a watchful eye out for the buzzing of scooters that will quickly come and go!
Next, you will find yourself in a completely new dimension of the medina by walking westward along Rue Bin Lafnadek. Dialects of French, Spanish, Italian, and English echo the walls of designer stores, fashion boutiques, and art galleries. This is truly the inspiring area of the medina with heavy creative influence, where one can purchase anything from designer sunglasses to w handmade piece of wood or glass work. After a nice indulgence of local shopping, we recommend making a pitstop at Maison de la Photographie de Marrakesh. This old mansion that was restored (including a beautiful roof terrace!), is a refreshing place to end your stroll, perusing some historical photos of Morocco whilst sipping on a glass of lemonade with mint leaves. Cheers!
A maze-like tangle of narrow alleyways that are shared by tourists/shoppers, bikes, motor bikes, donkeys and carts, lined with souks (markets) selling everything from glass to brass to silver, rugs and leather goods, spices galore and more.
