IF you’re tired of the shorter days and gloomy winter weather, you could be basking in the North African sun in around three hours. Morocco is one of those countries that seems to have everything. And it had my answer to escapism in the form of Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech.
Positioned opposite the Atlas Mountains across an impressive 231 hectares of immaculately kept grounds bursting with olive, palm and orange trees, the 134-room hotel is an intimate oasis for those looking to indulge in Marrakech’s offerings.
With four restaurants that handpick flavours from across the world to accommodate all palettes, a personal recommendation was Al Aïn. Presenting an unusual blend of Lebanese dishes with Moroccan spices, this fusion was brought to life by Chef Abbas backdropped against live Andalusian music to give you an immersive traditional experience like no other.
Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech
Though golf isn’t my sport, even I could appreciate the 18-hole course, designed by Cabell B Robinson, that spirals around the hotel landscape. It’s also the only luxury hotel in the “red city” to have one directly in its parameters. Taking a more relaxed approach to my stay, I took full advantage of the swimming pool – notably the largest pool in the city – before heading to Fairmont Spa.
Morocco is famous for its hammams and, despite Fairmont Spa’s contemporary architectural exterior, the accent is on traditional wellness. Treatments include hammam baths, massages using argan oil, facials and body wraps featuring fabled Atlas-sourced ghassoul clay. After experiencing a full-body hour-long massage, I wandered back to my suite with a glass of Moroccan mint tea in hand and a far more relaxed feeling all around.
Hot Air Balloon at Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech
The hotel exudes the outlook that anything is possible, so watching the sunrise of the mountainous surroundings beckoned a hot air balloon trip with Ciel d’Afrique. Unforgettable is a term that still doesn’t quite illustrate the views I saw that morning, so I urge you to go see them for yourself.
Sometimes ‘biggest’ and ‘best’ can give the wrong impression of a place, but the Fairmont Royal Palm is a hotel that exceeds both descriptions. Pushing Moroccan culture into a new realm over the past decade, the beauty of the land will continue to be celebrated here for the next 10.
by Imogen Clark
Deluxe Suite rates start from 9,000 (MAD) per night during high season and from 6,150 (MAD) for low season. fairmont.com/marrakech