Hong Kong – Reported by Elite Traveler, the private jet lifestyle magazine
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group announced recently that it has signed a long-term agreement to manage a luxury resort currently under development in Marrakech, Morocco.
Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech, which is scheduled to open in 2014, will be an intimate and exclusive retreat, set in 20 hectares of landscaped olive groves in the heart of the exotic Palmeraie region, with the snow-capped Atlas Mountains providing a stunning backdrop. The resort comprises luxurious accommodation, providing an unparalleled spacious and elegant living environment, offering the utmost in privacy. Innovative dining, a signature Mandarin Oriental spa and verdant gardens featuring orchards, pools, water features and fountains combine to provide guests with the perfect resort environment from which to explore the region’s attractions and rich, cultural heritage.
Positioned within the lush, landscaped grounds will be 54 individual villas, or riads, each housed in 300 square meters of private walled gardens, featuring their own pools and hot tubs, open-air showers, extensive areas for sunbathing and shaded alfresco dining. In keeping with traditional Moroccan customs, each riad will feature an interior courtyard, creating a calming, reflective arrival experience. The accommodation will be elegantly styled using exotic colors and textures, reflecting the rich heritage of the region. The resort’s palatial main building will house a further seven expansive suites, each with their own rooftop pool and panoramic vistas of the gardens and the surrounding countryside, bringing the total number of guestrooms to 61.
An eclectic selection of Moroccan and international cuisines will be provided by five innovative restaurants and bars, including poolside alfresco dining, a vibrant bar with live music and a signature fine dining restaurant. Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech will also feature an 80-seat ballroom with three additional function rooms.
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech will focus on the well-being of its guests, offering holistic rejuvenation and relaxation in a serene, meditative setting. The expansive 1,800 square meter Spa will feature eight private treatment rooms, including two deluxe couples’ suites, each with associated hammams, relaxation areas, significant water and heat therapies as well as a comprehensive fitness center and an indoor swimming pool. Set to provide an all-encompassing range of wellness, beauty and massage treatments, the Spa will offer life-enhancing signature programs created exclusively by Mandarin Oriental as well as specifically developed treatments inspired by local Moroccan traditions.
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Serene yet contemporary in character, celebrated French architect Pascal Desprez has modeled the resort’s architecture on Morocco’s rich heritage and the cultural influences of the region. Renowned Paris based design-duo Gilles & Boissier will oversee the interior design of the main building’s public areas.
The owner and developer of the project is Park Palmeraie S.A.
“We are delighted to introduce Mandarin Oriental’s renowned levels of service to Morocco. Marrakech has established itself as an important leisure destination for the international luxury traveler and this exclusive hideaway provides the Group with a fantastic opportunity to extend our brand to this culturally diverse location.” said Edouard Ettedgui, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
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“We are excited to be working with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, one of the world’s greatest luxury hotel operators, on creating one of Marrakech’s most exclusive developments. Mandarin Oriental’s reputation for providing an extraordinary level of quality and a precise attention to detail matches our desire to create one of Morocco’s most luxurious retreats.” said Omar Kabbaj, President of Park Palmeraie S.A.
The resort is ideally located for access to the region’s varied and extensive leisure activities. Perfect for year-round golfing, Marrakech’s three premium clubs, Royal Golf, Golf D’Amelkis and Golf Al Maaden, are all located within close range of the resort. The city’s celebrated walled medina, with its palaces, mosques and lively souks where intricate handcrafts and delicate jewelery are sold alongside aromatic spices, traditional slippers and colourful fabrics, is a short drive away.
Marrakech Menara Airport is a 15-minute drive from the resort. Easily accessible from all major international locations, Marrakech benefits from direct flight routes from European hubs such as London, Madrid, Milan, Munich and Paris.
