Mandarin Oriental Marrakech is the earthly embodiment of its host city’s name; ‘Marrakech’, rooted in the Berber expression,‘Murr Akush’, meaning ‘Land of the Gods’, the city’s reputation for the arts and culture make it an ideal destination for aesthetes and sun-seekers alike. Emulating the city itself, the bold geometric patterns and motifs of Marrakech’s Berber influence are reflected in the chosen fixtures and fittings. Staying true to the ornamentation spilling from all corners of the ‘red city’, the hotel is decidedly Moroccan in flavour.

Comprising entirely of suites and villas, the hotel’s accommodation is a markedly contemporary take on the traditional riad. Constructed with a nod to traditional North African methods – incorporating tadelakt plaster walls adorned with berber symbols surround hand-woven rugs from Rabat. Outside, courtyards peppered with the city’s famous tropical palms, winding patios and refreshing pools surround decidedly modern amenities, typifying the relaxed opulence which draws so many to the city’s walls. With 54 villas of varying configurations – from one-bedroom, to family villas and spa villas abundant with lush fruit trees of fig and apricot, furnished with oriental-inspired dark wood furnishings with decidedly Moroccan accents, Mandarin Oriental Marrakech offers its guests an impossible choice of luxurious lodgings.

The hotel also boasts seven one- or two-bedroom Atlas suites, each with their own outdoor dining area, smart home configurations and plunge pools. For those holidaying with a large group of friends, or the extended family, the hotel can offer their eight bedroom penthouse, where nature and riad meld seamlessly together; occupying a private floor, with uninterrupted views over the hotel’s extensive gardens, the penthouse is the pinnacle of this opulent oasis.

The gastronomes amongst you will be hard-pressed to find fault with the provisions on offer at Mandarin Oriental Marrakech. A transplant from the Michelin-starred flagship in Paris, Shirvan, the brainchild of chef Akrame Benallal, presents plates offering a taste of the legendary Silk Road – a melange of spices, cuisines and cultures meet here. Visually-tantilising sharing platters true to the traditional dishes of the countries along the famed trading route, reinvigorated with a decidedly modern interpretation. Hakkasan’s sister restaurant, Ling Ling rubs shoulders with Shirvan, offering a unique experience for the city, inspired by Hakkasan’s signature Cantonese dishes. Enjoyed in nature on the sprawling terrace, or in the opulent surroundings of the lounge and bar, you may find these ‘sharing plates’ are too delicious to divide.

If relaxed, leisurely lunches, and ice cold beverages al fresco under the shade of blooming bougainvillaea-bedecked pergolas sounds like heaven, Pool Garden is the restaurant choice for you. The restaurant offers delicious Mediterranean dishes made using ingredients sourced from both the hotel’s own organic kitchen garden and local producers, enjoyed in the most idyllic of settings – taking full advantage of the warm North African sun, surrounded by the calming trickle of water from the hotel’s many ornamental pools.

Mandarin Oriental Marrakech’s iteration of the group’s award-winning spa is world class. Applying knowledge from traditional North African wellness methods, guests can enjoy a Moroccan Hammam and a unique Moroccan Rose treatment at the spa. For those weary of the 21st century’s necessitated screen time, the hotel’s ‘Digital Wellness Escape’ could be just the ticket. If a full-body refresh is enticing, the three-hour Caracal experience uses a holistic approach to augmenting your natural beauty – the ritual includes a beldi hammam, an aromatherapy facial, and a full-body massage using essential oils of orange blossom, lavender or jasmine.

Cosmopolitan, and bustling with citizens from the far-flung corners of the earth, the historic trading centre of Marrakech’s Medina and the labyrinthian souks offer a chance to immerse yourself in an intoxicating melange of spices, fabrics, and smells; enjoy the fruits of the labour of traditional artisans and craftspeople as visitors have done for over a millennium. 

The ‘red city’ is truly at your feet with a stay at Mandarin Oriental Marrakech; let the hotel arrange your excursions, from a visit to the legendary Jardin Majorelle and its striking indigo Art Deco house, to the Musée Yves Saint Laurent next door (which happens to dedicated to the work of the Jardin Majorelle’s onetime owner). A stay at a Mandarin Oriental hotel always surpasses expectations, but the chance to lodge in a luscious, palm-filled oasis so close to the ancient Medina of Marrakech, with a backdrop as dramatic as the Atlas Mountains, is a truly unique experience.

The word ‘holiday’ literally means a ‘holy day’; at The Travel Division, we know that your time is precious and your rest is sacred. By partnering with some of the world’s most prestigious hotel brands, we are able to offer our customers access to a range of exclusive benefits (such as complimentary meals and room upgrades). Your dedicated travel expert curates your perfect package, and with possibilities as infinite as the number of contacts in our little black book, you can write your wish list and set your holiday plans to autopilot.