The Oberoi’s love of culture is epitomised in the magnificent Arabo-Andalucian courtyard around which this gorgeous 28-acre resort rotates. The onus here is on contemporary luxury informed by Morocco’s deep artistic heritage, while also providing guests with the Oberoi’s peerless service in a relaxed countryside setting with drop-dead gorgeous views of the Atlas Mountains.
The resort is situated six miles (10 km) to the south east of the medina on the road to Ouarzazate. It is situated amidst a former citrus grove and the main terrace enjoys cinematic views of the High Atlas. The six-mile drive to the Djemaa el-Fna takes 25 minutes in the resort’s luxurious Mercedes. The airport is 10.5 miles (17 km) due west and free return transfers are provided.
Like the Saadian sultans who inspired Marrakech’s most refined architecture, the Oberoi stinted at nothing to create this palace hotel’s artful spaces and iconic zellij-lined courtyard. They competed with architects of the Haram Mosque in Mecca to secure the acres of Carrara marble that render the interiors eternally cool and calm, and engaged the best tilers, carpenters and craftsmen to paint, plaster, carve and polish the cedarwood library, the romantic Siniman restaurant, the glamorous Vue bar and every detail of each individually crafted villa.
You’ll share these spaces – and the blousy, rose-filled Madison Cox garden – with an interesting international crowd composed of entrepreneurs, families, wedding parties and long-term Oberoi devotees from Europe, West Africa, the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent. It makes for a lively and diverse atmosphere as well as interesting bar-side conversations.
Service here is considered an art form and you’ll find your every need anticipated and met by the near 300 members of staff who are a mix of locals and experienced transfers from other Oberoi properties. Tap into their expertise and enthusiasm and you’ll discover a world of diversions, from Ayurvedic therapies, Chinese meridian acupressure and Qi Gong meditation, to your own personal fitness coach and nutritionist.
Attend daily yoga or HIIT classes in the morning, then cookery lessons with the head chef before heading off to gallery viewings, city tours or desert adventures arranged by the concierge. The 2000-square-metre spa, which sits on its own island, is a highlight and features a 20-metre indoor pool, yoga studio, gym, traditional Moroccan hammam, sauna, treatment rooms and beauty salon. It offers three- to seven-night tailored programmes.
There are six sumptuous, south-facing rooms in the main building, plus the vast Royal suite, which has a terrace with a pool. All of them enjoy magnificent views of the High Atlas through floor-to-ceiling windows. In contrast, the 72 Deluxe villas are organised in small clusters in the garden and instead offer the privacy of a walled patio and a private pool. The décor is luxurious and gently informed by a Moroccan aesthetic.
Bedrooms feature soft silk carpets, embroidered bedspreads, carved stucco wall panels and elegant armoires hiding generously stocked bars. The walk-in cedar wardrobes are capacious, and bathrooms have Anne Semonin products, walk-in showers and Kohler tubs set in picture windows. The two Presidential and Royal villas are the absolute bees-knees, the latter including staff accommodation and a large private garden with an 11-metre pool.
Breakfast in the international restaurant, Tamimt, is a vast and delectable feast. It features cold-pressed juices, cheese and meat platters, nut, seed and berry granolas, delicate Viennoiserie, and myriad different honeys and homemade jams, alongside an à la carte menu including eggs and bacon, Moroccan shakshuka and Indian dosas. A Mediterranean menu is also served here for lunch and dinner.
While the terrace of Tamimt and the adjacent Vue cocktail bar look outwards at the Atlas mountains, the Moroccan restaurant Siniman offers views of that glorious courtyard. Richly decorated in red velvets, zellij tiles and painted cedarwood, it is a sensory triumph serving sophisticated and refined Moroccan cuisine. Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai has joined the team to head up the new restaurant Rivayat. It is Marrakech’s first fine-dining Indian restaurant, and will serve delicately spiced dishes created from local ingredients such as Atlantic lobsters and beldi chickens.
Deluxe rooms from MAD8,900 ($908) in low season; and from MAD16,500 ($1,684) in high. Deluxe villas from MAD11,900 ($1,214) in low season; and from MAD19,100 ($1,950) in high. Breakfast and return transfers to Marrakech airport included. Free Wi-Fi.
The resort is fully accessible. There are two suitable rooms in the main house and one adapted Deluxe villa. There are also golf carts on hand to get around the resort.
This is a lovely spot for families. Villas can accommodate one child up to the age of 12 and an infant less than three years old at no extra charge. There’s also a kids’ club for children between the ages of four and 12 years old, which has its own private garden and offers activities aimed at nurturing emotional as well as cognitive development.
| Check In | 12:00 pm |
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| Check Out | 12:00 pm |
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