Oberoi reinvents Marrakech
2020 was hardly the best year to open a luxury hotel, whether in Morocco or anywhere else. But the Oberoi Marrakech carried off just such a feat, dusting down all in its wake.
Always head off the beaten track. The Oberoi Marrakech had a bright idea: to set up residence on the road to Ouarzazate, less than 10 miles from the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa market place. This 21st century luxury hotel is almost in a world of its own, set at the heart of 28 acres of former farmland made into stunning gardens. It has just 84 keys to eight bedrooms and suites and 76 private villas with their own pool. The resort is nestled among age-old olive groves and sweet-scented citrus orchards with snowed-capped vistas of the Atlas Mountains, and masterfully pays tribute to classic Andalusian Arabic architecture.
Naturally, every comfort and leisure facility imaginable can be found here. As can fine cuisine and well-being services. But of course, you’d guessed that already. Still, let us introduce you to the Royal Suite, probably the best there is in Marrakech. On the first floor of the hotel, the suite’s 1,884 sq ft interior surface opens out onto a 1,560 sq ft terrace with a 32-ft heated pool that can be reached from the living room, bedroom and even the shower. Beneath it, the Grand Canal unfolds, cutting through the hotel gardens, while that same beautiful view of the Atlas Mountains can be admired in the background.
With a dedicated butler and its own fully equipped kitchen, the Royal Suite becomes your own private home, especially since you can link it to the six adjacent bedrooms and book the entire first floor (why deprive yourself of that?). And the villas along the Grand Canal are worth enjoying too.
You’d find it difficult to partake in all the activities the hotel offers, from yoga classes and first-time sidecar rides to breakfast in a hot-air balloon and dinner in a desert tent. But SoBarnes would recommend joining xx xx, the hotel manager, for his morning jog through the olive groves. Every day at 7:30am sharp. Tell him we sent you.
Important information: though Morocco recently reopened into borders to travellers, including Europeans, a vaccine pass is required upon entry into the country, or, failing that, a negative PCR test result from within the past 48 hours.
Infos : The Oberoi Marrakech - Route de Ouarzazate, 40 000 Marrakech - MAROC
Tel. : +212 (0)5 25 08 15 15 / Oberoihotels.com
