Mar 28, 2024

THE JOURNAL

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Travel Inspiration

Royal Mansour Marrakech, a Regal Experience in Morocco

Fora Author Fora

The Modern Travel Agency

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Ornate Moroccan furniture, decor and plants fill an elegantly styled Riad space at Royal Mansour Marrakech

Image courtesy of Royal Mansour Marrakech

Inspired by traditional riads and the lavish lifestyles of the country’s elite, Royal Mansour Marrakech is a world-class hotel in Morocco perfect for the discerning traveler. We've rounded up the intel on everything you need to know: room options, dining menus, experiences offered…

When you're ready to start planning your trip, reach out to a Fora Advisor. They can make recommendations on which room is best for you, as well as hook you up with VIP perks along the way. And if you need more than just the hotel booking, a Fora Advisor can help you plan your full itinerary in Morocco.

Fora Perks at Royal Mansour Marrakech (free when you book through Fora):

  • $100 food / beverage credit, breakfast daily, complimentary roundtrip private airport transfers, upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

What's special about Royal Mansour Marrakech?

Where to begin? Royal Mansour Marrakech, one of the best hotels in Marrakech, Morocco, is 13 total acres of individual riads — Moroccan luxury homes — high-end restaurants and manicured gardens. The hotel was commissioned by King Mohammed VI of Morocco in the early 2000s as a place to host VIPs like foreign heads of state and ambassadors. 

By the way, Royal Mansour just opened up a second property in Casablanca in 2024 and is now taking reservations for the season.

The art of hosting is on full display here

Within pink clay walls sit potted plants, a heated pool with lounge chairs, an ornate table setting and lounge area underneath a tent with drapes

Image courtesy of Royal Mansour Marrakech

Royal Mansour Marrakech doesn’t compromise when it comes to taking care of its guests. We visited the property during our recent scouting trip to Morocco, and our travel advisors experienced nothing short of star treatment. But one thing in particular stood out: the hotel features a system of hidden tunnels strictly reserved for staff, enabling room service to be discreet and impressively seamless. 

The concept: a “medina within a medina” 

The Medina of Marrakech is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beyond its roots as an ancient trading hub, the medina is a place where medieval Moroccan architecture is remarkably well preserved after nearly a millennium under the desert sun. In that historical vein, open-air markets called souks remain filled with traders and local artisans selling handmade crafts, spices and more within the backdrop of the city’s most notable landmarks. 

In many ways, the medina feels like a window into the past, and Royal Mansour Marrakech is designed to feel like a luxurious extension of the medina: well over 1,000 local artisans participated in the design of the hotel. Yet this immersion doesn’t come at the expense of the hotel’s amenities, and all the facilities and riads are fully up to date.

All “rooms” at Royal Mansour Marrakech are Moroccan-style villas

Elegant furnishings fill a Moroccan-style common space at Royal Mansour Marrakech

Image courtesy of Royal Mansour Marrakech

Royal Mansour isn’t a traditional hotel in the sense that it features a collection of guest rooms and suites. Instead, across 13 acres the hotel boasts 53, multi-level riads of various spacious sizes. 

Each riad has a first-floor living space, a second floor with one to four bedrooms and a third floor that provides lovely views of the property (and beyond in some cases). Each size up offers a clear upgrade in space and certain amenities, like kitchen areas and optional butler service. Moreover, each somehow manages to jump to a new level of Royal Mansour’s sophisticated and dazzling style, which is saying something considering even the entry-level rooms provide a decadent stay.

Oh, and when you book with a Fora Advisor, you’ll automatically be prioritized for a complimentary room upgrade if a higher-tier unit is available.

Superior, Premier & Privilege Riads

All 15 Superior and 19 Premier Riads are individually designed to embody Moroccan culture and design. The former are a bit smaller, but both options feature one bedroom, a private terrace and a plunge pool.

Privilege Riads are a little over twice the size of the Premier option and include two bedrooms. They’re better for small groups and feature optional butler service. 

Prestige & Grand Riads

Royal Mansour hosts four riads in the Prestige collection. Each is a little over five times as large as the Superior Riad, offers a full dining room and elevator (for accessibility) and all the amenities of the prior categories.

The Grand Riad is, unsurprisingly, Royal Mansour’s most exclusive  option. There’s only one on the property, and there’s no contest as far as the offered amenities and decor. This 19,000-square-foot riad boasts four bedrooms, a private hammam, a private garden and pool, a dedicated fitness center and an elevator (ideal if you’re looking for accessible travel options).

Dining & bars at Royal Mansour Marrakech

A private, group dining setup within a glass room surrounded by plants and gardens at Royal Mansour Marrakech

Image courtesy of Royal Mansour Marrakech

Dining at Royal Mansour Marrakech matches its luxurious theme, and there are numerous options to choose from.

(P.S. If you want to try local food in Morocco, we have recs! Just connect with a Fora Advisor.)

Restaurants: La Grande Brasserie, La Grande Table Marocaine, Sesamo & Le Jardin Restaurant

Royal Mansour Marrakech has four restaurants on site. La Grande Brasserie puts French cuisine at the forefront. La Grande Table Marocaine presents an elevated take on favorite Moroccan dishes. Sesamo is touted as the best Italian restaurant in Marrakech. And rounding out the fine dining experiences, Le Jardin Restaurant serves a mix of Asian and local flavors in an open-air setting. 

For guests seeking to partake in Morocco’s afternoon tea tradition, La Grande Brasserie serves a delicious spread of light and not-so-light treats along with Moroccan mint and other teas.

Private tables

If you prefer a more exclusive experience, the property caters to special requests for lunch or dinner. Business meetings, marriage proposals, family gatherings…no experience is too small or too large.

Bars & lounges

The bars and lounges of Royal Mansour Marrakech are exceptionally refined, with a focus on relaxation and quiet company. The Main Bar is perhaps the liveliest option, while the Fireplace Lounge and Library offer more intimate spaces. There’s also the Cigar Bar, where guests can sample fine options. 

Fun fact: Royal Mansour Marrakech is home to the largest wine cellar in Africa.

Amenities & facilities of Royal Mansour Marrakech

Lit by candles at twilight, lavish lounge seating surrounds a rectangular pool, with its surface reflecting white drapes attached to a private gazebo

Image courtesy of Royal Mansour Marrakech

Amenities at Royal Mansour Marrakech are bar-none. From an elite spa and hammam facility to an excellent concierge service, amenities at Royal Mansour Marrakech are bar-none. Indeed, the property goes to great lengths to ensure guests are well taken care of.

(Want to venture beyond the property? See our Morocco travel guide for tips and our article on things to visit in Marrakech for local itinerary ideas.)

Spa Royal Mansour Marrakech: a 3-story spa, hammam & fitness center

Spa Royal Mansour Marrakech is a beauty, wellness and fitness destination worthy of the Royal Mansour moniker. There’s an authentic hammam, an indoor heated pool, 10 individual spa rooms, three spa suites and a state-of-the-art gym.

The number of tailored treatments and programs available here is impressive: weight control, immunity boost, skin care — the list goes on.

Le Jardin de Lila: an enriching kids’ club

Parents can leave their kids aged four to 10 at Le Jardin de Lila, a bright and cheery kids’ club that occupies little minds with local stories and legends, provides fun activities and even offers complimentary treats.

Curated experiences & an expert concierge team

The team at Royal Mansour is dedicated to ensuring guests can enjoy the very best the city and country has to offer from both a cultural and adventurous perspective. They have insider access to cooking classes, art workshops, excursions into Marrakech and beyond. 

(BTW: if you’re wondering about the best time to visit Morocco for, say, sojourns into the Sahara desert or the Atlas mountains from Marrakech, our guide has intel.)

Book with Fora to upgrade your stay at Royal Mansour Marrakech

Can’t wait to indulge in Royal Mansour Marrakech’s hospitality? Book your stay with a Fora Advisor. They’ll make sure your accommodations fit your travel preferences while unlocking hotel perks like daily breakfast and property credits. And if you need help planning the rest of your itinerary, your Fora Advisor can supply you with expert travel suggestions and insider connections.

Royal Mansour Marrakech: FAQs

Intricately designed tiles lead up to a center, brass fountain in the middle of an exceptionally ornate Riad-style room. Along the walls, elegantly etched blue and white columns stand, with drapes crossing between.

Image courtesy of Royal Mansour Marrakech

Have more questions about Royal Mansour Marrakech? Here are some answers to a few common questions.

What’s the area around Royal Mansour Marrakech like? How’s the location?

Royal Mansour is only minutes away from the center of Marrakech, where exploring the city’s medina — the walled inner city filled with open-air markets and cool landmarks — is one of the most exciting things to do in Morocco. 

In fact, Marrakech is easily one of Morocco’s best places to visit if you’re looking for a mix of urban- and nature-bound adventure. Marrakech is rich in culture, while the Agafay desert and Atlas mountains both offer plenty of excitement and natural beauty. And Royal Mansour’s concierge team curates experiences set in all three places.

(Need help building a Morocco itinerary? Read our guide.)

Exactly how far is the hotel from the center of Marrakesh? What about the nearest airport?

Walking from the hotel to Jemaa al-Fna, the main square in the Marrakech Medina, takes around 15 minutes on foot or about five minutes by car. The airport is only about 10–15 minutes away by car.

If you book your stay with a Fora Advisor, roundtrip private airport transfers are included in our partner perks.

Is Marrakech home to the only Royal Mansour? 

Nope. Royal Mansour opened a second property in Casablanca  in April 2024. Royal Mansour Casablanca embodies an exuberant take on 1950s Art Deco (with an authentic Moroccan flair, of course).

How much does it cost to stay at Royal Mansour Marrakech?

At sunset (unseen), palms stand beyond a private courtyard walled off by pink clay. Inside, potted plants and lounge furniture provide an intimate space for guests to relax

Image courtesy of Royal Mansour Marrakech

Royal Mansour is a world-renowned, luxury hotel sponsored by the Crown of Morocco — as you can probably imagine, it’s one of the more exclusive places to stay in the country, let alone Marrakech. In the high season (spring), rates start between $2,500–$3,000 per night.

Is smoking allowed at the hotel? How about alcohol?

Smoking is not allowed at Royal Mansour, but the hotel does serve alcohol.

What are the check-in and check-out times at Royal Mansour Marrakech?

If you book your stay at Royal Mansour with Fora, you can enjoy early check-in and extended check-out times whenever possible. 

Who owns the Royal Mansour Marrakech?

Royal Mansour Marrakech was commissioned by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI but is currently owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the Abu Dhabi family.

Still deciding on the setting for your next vacation? Maybe these travel guides have the right inspiration:

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