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Marrakech Travel Guide

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La Mamounia Is Re-Opening; Here's Hoping It's Cleaned Up Its Act

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: Avenue Bab Jdid, Marrakech, Morocco

| June 23, 2009 at 2:04 PM | 0 Comments

Three years is one long time for a refurb, but in the case of La Mamounia in Morocco, it seems like it may have been needed.

The Marrakech hotel stalwart, which originally opened in 1923, closed its doors in July 2006 to the relief of TripAdvisor reviewers, whose general consensus was that it was in dire need of a refurb, and probably an attitude adjustment while they were at it.

But this picture taken last year gave us a bit more hope. And now, it’s been announced that it will reopen on September 29 this year.

There will be 136 rooms and 71 suites in the new Mamounia, as well as three riads – which each house three bedrooms, terraces and private pools. Add in a 27,000 sq foot spa, three restaurants, five bars and 20 acres of gardens, and it’s all sounding pretty good to us. Although it should be pretty good at these prices: starting rates for October are showing up as 6000 dirhams, or $745 (£458). The hotel calls it “more beautiful, more sumptuous and more magical than ever before”. Here’s hoping they don’t let us down.

[Photo: The Dadys]

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The King Invites the Rich to Royal Mansour, Marrakech

| June 10, 2009 at 10:15 AM | 0 Comments

If the king owns the hotel, it's probably going to be somewhere close to a royal standard, right? That's why we've got a good feeling about Le Royal Mansour in Marrakech, Morocco, with its 53 luxury riads and exotic location built into the ancient wall of the city.

We've already started getting enthused about Le Royal Mansour and now we've got a few more concrete details on the opening schedule. For a start, there'll be a kind of soft opening in September but it's only by invitation and so far, sadly, we haven't found ourselves on the invite list.

The grand — dare we say royal? — opening will take place in November 2009, and you'd better start saving your pennies if you want to book a riad. The cheapest one will go from €1,500 ($2,100); if you want the fanciest "fit for a king" riad then you're looking at €20,000 ($27,900) a night.

King Mohamed VI is planning to get 10 million visitors to Morocco during 2010, and that's one of the reason he's gotten behind projects like the Royal Mansour hotel. But we have to wonder just how many visitors can afford €1,500 plus a night, no matter how cool the hotel looks. We've still got our fingers crossed for a September invitation.

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A Luxe Mega-Riad Is Coming to Marrakech

| May 5, 2009 at 9:26 AM | 0 Comments

Anyone who's been to Marrakech will be able to testify to the myriad of places to stay. We used to chalk this up to entrepreneurship on a national scale, but apparently it's been planned at the highest level: the king himself has decreed that he wants 10 million tourists bedding down by 2010, and he wants 160,000 extra beds to put them in.

One that looks particularly exciting is Le Royal Mansour, a mammoth collection of 53 riads (traditional Moroccan houses) stuck together to make 78 bedrooms, as well as a 2500 square-meter spa and hammam, and tunnels running underneath the complex for staff to get around stealthily.

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NYT Reviews the Villa Rose Sultan Without Rose-Colored Glasses

Where: Route de L'Ourika, km 11, Marrakech, Morocco, 40000

| April 20, 2009 at 11:37 AM | 1 Comment

We love a hotel celebrity scoop more than, well, anyone we can think of, and we get extra excited about a new hotel when it boasts big-name guests — especially when the celebs in question are actually cool. So we’re intrigued by the Villa Rose Sultan, a boutique hotel that opened last May hidden in the outskirts of Marrakech that has played host to Jake Gyllenhaal, according to this past weekend’s review in the NYT.

But Donnie Darko’s endorsement aside, the NYT didn’t seem particularly impressed by the place — maybe in part because of the hotel’s “impressive pedigree”: Apparently owner Majid Ej Jennane is grandson of imperial Meknes’ former pasha and earned his stripes working in marketing for Chanel and Hermès. Um, yeah, that sort of background would give us pretty high standards too.

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Fairmont Tees Off in Marrakech

| September 16, 2008 at 10:00 AM | 1 Comment

When we think golf, we don't think Marrakech. Like, not even a little. But Fairmont Hotels hopes to change that with the opening of Fairmont Marrakech--though you'll have to wait until 2011 to see if Marrakech can birth the next St. Andrews.

The hotel will have 190 rooms, five eateries, a 14,000-square-foot Willow Stream Spa and 32 residential villas.

So where does the golf come in? In the course being developed adjacent to the hotel; plus, the Marrakech Royal Golf Club is not all that far off.

It may be that Fairmont is on to something... According to Budget Travel, Marrakech is home to three golf courses, with three more currently under construction. And with most rounds under $70, it might not be the next St. Andrews, but it's enough to put Marrakech on the map.

[Photo: kali.ma]

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Room With a Killer View: History, Nature and a Pool from Branson's Kasbah

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: BP 67, Marrakech, Morocco

| May 29, 2008 at 8:52 AM | 0 Comments

We are suckers for a room with a killer view.  We find that we are even more likely to forgive some minor hotel inconveniences if we can stare out the window at something pretty--yeah we are that shallow. Let's help out our fellow hotel mavens by uploading rooms with killer views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. We will feature our favorites in this space from time to time. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number of the hot view.

Thanks to HotelChatter tipster srte for dropping this in our Flickr pool. It's from Richard Branson's Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco, and we're more than impressed with this magnificent view from the terrace of the hotel overlooking the pool, and a fantastic garden.

We fell in love with this hotel the first time we looked at it and views like this only make our craving to get there stronger. In a perfect world we'd be booking the Deluxe Suite (which includes a pool) but the Escape Package for that (a three night stay) costs €2,470 (US$3,800) a double, which sadly doesn't fit into our budget this month.

The cheapest option during low season is €320 (US$500) a night for the double, which is more within the realms of possibility.

[Photo: srte]

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Richard Branson Rocking the Kasbah in Morocco

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: BP 67, Marrakech, Morocco, 042150

| April 8, 2008 at 5:27 PM | 0 Comments

If you've seen Casablanca, you've dreamt of nights spent at the kasbah, no? Rest assured there are plenty of riad and kasbah accommodations throughout Morocco; some remain empty and some like the Kasbah Tamadot have been turned into luxury retreats.

At the bidding of his mother, Sir Richard Branson bought this property as he began a round the world hot-air balloon excursion from Marrakech. He renovated the magical walled-in building and, in 2005, it became the latest addition to his Virgin Limited Edition portfolio.

Amidst the fairy-tale setting, you'll find 18 individually designed guest rooms, each one offering some sort of outside space, be it a balcony, terrace or private rooftop area, with magnificent views.

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W Hotels Now Heads Into Africa

| February 26, 2008 at 11:54 AM | 2 Comments

Continuing its pursuit of having hotels in the world's most intriguing destinations like possibly Iceland and Hoboken, NJ, Starwood Hotels & Resorts is taking its W brand to Marrakech, Morocco, in North Africa.

The new build, set to open in 2010, will have 150 rooms and 68 whole-ownership villa residences that overlook an 18-hole golf course. Those 150 rooms include 14 W Suites, three WOW Suites and an Extreme WOW Suite.

W Marrakech will feature many of the amenities familiar to W guests, such as the Living Room experience, two restaurants, an indoor and outdoor pool, with poolside bar, a fitness center and luxury spa. The hotel is situated just minutes from Medina, the city's historical center that offers restaurants, museums, palaces and gardens worth exploring.

It's no New Jersey, but we guess it sounds cool.

[Photo: Vteen]

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Snapshot :: Hotel La Mamounia, Closed But Still Pretty To Look At

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: Avenue Bab Jdid , Marrakech, Morocco, 40 000

| January 24, 2008 at 5:21 PM | 0 Comments

Thanks to Nester_Larabaeza for dropping this snapshot of the Hotel La Mamounia in the HotelChatter Flickr Pool.

The Marrakech hotel first opened in 1922 but in 2001 the rooms got a complete upgrade thus "combining a true Moroccan ambiance with every 21st-century convenience."

However, that wasn't enough. The hotel closed down in July 2006 for a major renovation. Judging from some recent reviews it looks like the facelift was very necessary. The hotel will reopen sometime this year.

Got pics? Drop 'em in the HotelChatter Flickr Pool.

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Marrakech Hotel Scene: Riad Tizwa

| April 16, 2007 at 4:10 PM | 0 Comments

[Ed. Note: Today we have our second reader recommended Marrakech riad. Hotel Maven Happy Traveller137 took a trip to Marrakech in February and gives some big ups to the Riad Twiza. Here's his review below. Enjoy and remember to share your Marrakech hotel reviews with us.]

I stayed in Riad Tizwa in Marrakech in Feb2007 with my family and we had a great time.

We had firstly thought that we should stay in a normal hotel in the new bit of marrakech - as we felt that the culture shock of north africa would be too much - but a friend recommended this place which is more like a private home.

In short, if you are going to Marrakech, or probably anywhere else in Morocco, I suspect you will get a better feel for the country if you stay in a traditional Moroccan home or RIAD.

More on the Twiza after the jump.

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Reader Recommends Hidden Marrakech Riad Hotel

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 28 Derb El Farnatchi, Marrakech, Morocco

| April 13, 2007 at 9:46 AM | 1 Comment

Sandra from Italy spent her Easter holiday at a ancient hidden Marrakech riad hotel.

I spent my Easter holidays in Marrakech and I would like to recommend the secret address where I stayed: Dar Darma.

It is a sort of ancient riad so private and charming!

It has only 3 suites and each of them is called with the name of a color that personalized the decoration.

The staff is very kind. The palace has also a personal shopper who escorted me in the Medina where I did some shopping, he helped me to find some original souvenirs really appreciate by my friends.

There is also a superb hammam where you can relax and if you stay at Dar Darma, try the mint tea: it is great!

Sandra sent us this tip and photo via email she stayed in the Red Suite.

Related Stories:
· Hotels in Marrakech [HotelChatter]

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Marrakech Has Hotels of Charm

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: Rue du Méchouar, Marrakech, Morocco

| January 10, 2007 at 12:00 PM | 0 Comments

Moroccan tourism officials have found a neat name for the small but growing offerings of boutique hotels: "Hotels du Charme". One such hotel of charm recommended by Britain's Guardian newspaper this week is Les Borjs de la Kasbah:  "the defensive towers" of the kasbah. Small but sweet (and totally bookable) is the order of the day here:

Eighteen rooms are arranged around four patios and a spa and pool are due to open later this year. Most of the time it will operate as a normal hotel but you can also hire the whole place for a party or family reunion - it's not too early to start planning for New Year's Eve 2007.

The spa and pool will be in a nearby garden, plus another local garden is supported by the hotel--part of Le Borjs's impressive envionmental policy. The strong Moroccan sun helps solar power provide a portion of the electricity used and special attention is paid to waste management. All this makes a hotel of charm, apparently.

Related Stories:
· Les Borjs de la Kasbah reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Hotels in Marrakech [Guardian]