Hailed by many as one of the finest hotels in the world, the Royal Mansour Marrakech is a palace hotel on a private estate just outside the old city walls, a short walk from the medina and the Koutoubia Mosque. In this review, we check out what the hotel has to offer.
The Concept
Commissioned by King Mohammed VI and inaugurated in 2010, the property was conceived not simply as another luxury hotel but as a physical showcase for Moroccan craftsmanship, architecture and hospitality.
Instead of conventional rooms and suites, the entire resort is arranged as a private medina of 53 individual riads connected by narrow, jasmine-scented alleyways and hidden doors.
The estate extends over roughly five hectares of walled grounds, with gardens, restaurants, a 2,500 m² spa, two main pools, children’s facilities and a network of underground service tunnels that allow staff to move invisibly and access each riad through discreet back-of-house entrances.
Royal Mansour is frequently described in rankings and articles as one of the finest hotels in Africa and among the world’s leading luxury properties, regularly appearing in lists such as The World’s 50 Best Hotels and Food & Wine’s top international hotels for food and drink.
We booked in for a four-night stay in mid-November, with daytime temperatures hovering around a comfortable 20 degrees celsius to test out some of the offerings available.
Location & arrival
The hotel is located on Rue Abou Abbas El Sebti, on the edge of the historic medina, about 10–15 minutes’ walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa and roughly 0.9 km from the heart of Marrakech.
Some of the additional extra options offered by the hotel we opted for include being met by a hotel representative and fast-tracked through security on arrival (this proved to be a time saver and makes the process very smooth and efficient) as well as being driven in a high-end vehicle, like this Bentley Bentayga:
The journey from airport to hotel was quite short, perhaps only 10 minutes. However, the high-end car pickup certainly felt like it was setting the scene for the next stage. Please note that the hotel offers a complimentary airport transfer if preferred.
Part of the original city wall is incorporated into the design of the hotel, so when you arrive you are effectively stepping through a contemporary version of a city gate into a private, self-contained medina.
The entrance is through a monumental horseshoe arch framed in intricate zellige tiling and carved plaster, with huge bronze doors and a forecourt paved in stone that gleams after rain.
Well dressed, uniformed staff met us at the main gate.
Concept, architecture & design
Royal Mansour really is something of a masterpiece of Moorish-Andalusian architecture, with a layout that mirrors a traditional medina: central reception lodges, arcaded courtyards, riads, garden enclosures and pavilions.
Around the main courtyard, the public salons are lined with geometric zellige tiles, polished tadelakt plaster, carved cedar wood ceilings and finely chiselled stucco.
Doors, screens and furniture are inlaid, carved or hand-painted, showcasing local craftsmanship that reportedly involved more than a thousand artisans over several years.
Throughout the property, metal lanterns and chandeliers in filigreed brass or silver cast patterned shadows across marble, onyx and mosaic floors.
Contemporary artworks by Moroccan artists sit alongside traditional motifs, and even functional spaces such as bars and the library are designed as showpieces of marquetry, plasterwork and textile design.
All of this creates something of a wondrous atmosphere that made us feel like we had entered through a portal to a privileged world. The hotel surrounds are serene and tranquil.
The private medina & layout
The estate is something of a city within a city: a grid of marble-paved alleyways and passageways that thread between planted courtyards and the entrances to the riads.
These alleys are intentionally quiet – there are no luggage trolleys or housekeeping carts visible because almost all back-of-house movement happens underground via over a kilometre of “Galleries”, the service tunnels running beneath the hotel.
The effect for guests is an unusually tranquil environment: you step out of your riad door into a small lane scented with orange blossom or jasmine, with hardly any noise beyond birds, fountains and distant conversation from the gardens. If you want to get away from it all, you can certainly do that here.
Wayfinding is done by small signs and the hotel team are quick to escort anyone who looks lost, but part of the charm is that the property feels like a small, immaculately kept neighbourhood rather than a conventional resort.
Riads
Instead of rooms or suites, Royal Mansour offers 53 riads in five main categories: Superior, Premier, Privilege, Prestige and the four-bedroom Grand Riad.
All riads are three-storey houses with a ground-floor patio, an upper level of bedrooms and a private roof terrace. Each has its own décor, but all incorporate carved wood, zellige, plasterwork, bespoke carpets and textiles.
- Superior Riads are one-bedroom properties of about 140 m², designed as intimate, sophisticated spaces for one or two guests
- Premier Riads are also one-bedroom but larger, around 175 m², with slightly more expansive living areas
- Privilege Riads have two bedrooms over 430 m², with additional living rooms, bar areas and more generous terraces
- Prestige Riads extend to roughly 840–850 m² with three bedrooms, multiple lounges, a library, a private dining room, professional kitchen and roof-terrace hammam
- The Grand Riad is a stand-alone four-bedroom residence of about 1,800 m² with its own entrance, garden, a 11.32m x 3.55m pool, hammam, fitness room, private staff, and option for on-site cooking classes.
All riads include a private roof terrace with plunge pool, loungers and outdoor dining space, with views towards the medina or the Atlas Mountains depending on location.
Bathrooms are finished in pale marble and onyx, with deep bathtubs, separate showers, double basins and mirrors framed in metal or carved plaster. The (plentiful supply of) towels were extremely luxurious – and huge!
Each riad is attended by a dedicated team accessed via the underground “Galleries”, allowing housekeeping, butler service and in-riad dining to be delivered with minimal disturbance to guests.
Riad 24 is the private premier riad within the Royal Mansour medina that we stayed in. It was very pleasant and clean on arrival, with the upkeep and housekeeping meeting the very high expectations set by the hotel’s reputation.
Like all of the riads, it is a three-storey private house with a ground-floor patio, upstairs bedroom level and roof terrace with plunge pool. However, riad 24 also has an elevator which is handy if you are in a rush to get up or down stairs (or of course, if you can’t climb stairs). There is a total of 64 steps from the ground to top floors. Thats 32 from ground to the bedroom level and a further 32 to the roof terrace.
Inside, the palette of Moroccan craftsmanship is stunning: patterned zellige tiling around the patio fountain, carved or painted wooden doors, tadelakt walls in soft tones, and thick rugs underfoot.
The bedroom in the riad had heavy curtains, carved headboards or wall panelling, and a combination of traditional lanterns and more contemporary bedside lamps. Take a look at these photos to get an idea of the quality of furnishings and fittings. Everything really is the best of the best here.
The roof terrace level combines a small pool, cushioned seating in a shaded pergola or tented area, an outdoor fireplace or chimney and a dining table for meals in complete privacy.
The plunge pool on the roof terrace was set to a wonderfully warm temperature. On a 20 degree celsius day, which is on the cooler side for Marrakech, this proved to be a very welcoming and relaxing place.
Gardens & outdoor spaces
The hotel’s gardens spread around and beyond the main pool, with lawns, citrus trees, olive trees and numerous varieties of palm and cactus.
Paths wind between planted beds, herb gardens and water features, including a mirrored garden pavilion and sunken herb plots which are used by the kitchens.
The atmosphere is intentionally calming. The grounds are akin to an oasis or small town of courtyards and leafy corners where guests can sit, read or take afternoon tea.
At different times of day, the areas around the hotel grounds can “feel” different, with light kissing the buildings to create beautiful effects. And then, once the sun sets it also takes on yet another personality.
Pools & pavilions
Royal Mansour has two main pools: an indoor pool in the spa and a large outdoor pool in the gardens.
The outdoor pool is approximately 30 metres long and 20 metres wide, bordered by sun loungers, shaded terraces and sand-coloured furniture. Here’s what it looks like:
There is a lot of direct sunshine in this area.
Alongside the pool are seven private pavilions ranging from about 45 to 80 m², available as day-use cabanas with their own bathroom, lounge and dining area.
These pavilions are set amid palms and olive trees, giving guests a semi-private base by the pool with direct access to Le Jardin restaurant and pool service. Crucially, the cabanas come with air conditioning. Summer temperatures in Marrakech can push 50 degrees celsius.
The indoor spa pool is housed in a high, light-filled pavilion. It’s a bit like an orangery, with large windows and loungers along the sides.
If it’s a cooler temperature outside, the indoor pool is a good option. The water (heated to 28 degrees celsius) and air temperature make for a comfortable swimming experience.
Spa & wellness
The Spa Royal Mansour is a 2,500 m² complex spread over three floors, accessed via a separate entrance that leads through a citrus garden.
The central atrium is a tall space constructed in white metal latticework often compared to a giant birdcage, with natural light filtering through and fountains providing background sound.
Facilities include the heated indoor pool, traditional hammams, a Watsu water-therapy area, ten treatment rooms and three private spa suites, along with beauty cabins and relaxation lounges.
Treatments draw on several traditions: Moroccan rituals using argan oil and local ingredients, Western spa therapies, and branded treatments from houses such as Sisley and Dr Hauschka.
There is also a fitness area with modern equipment, as well as yoga and fitness classes offered through the health club.
Adjacent to the spa is a Tea Lounge serving light dishes and drinks in a quieter garden setting.
Dining: overview
The hotel currently offers four signature restaurants in Marrakech, each with a distinct culinary identity: La Grande Table Marocaine, La Grande Brasserie (French), Sesamo (Italian) and Le Jardin (Mediterranean and Asian-influenced).
La Grande Table Marocaine and Sesamo are both listed in the prestigious La Liste 1000 ranking, while Sesamo and La Grande Brasserie also appear in regional “50 Best” listings for the Middle East & North Africa.
In addition to the restaurants, guests can dine at Le Spa Tea Lounge, by the main pool, or in the privacy of their riad via 24-hour in-riad dining.
To give an all-round review, we booked a visit to all of the restaurants on offer.
La Grande Table Marocaine
La Grande Table Marocaine is the hotel’s flagship Moroccan fine-dining restaurant, accessed from the restaurants’ pavilion via the now-famous blue patio and brass doors.
It is the only Moroccan restaurant in Africa to be a member of Les Grandes Tables du Monde, reflecting its positioning at the very top end of Moroccan gastronomy.
The interior is highly detailed, with carved plaster, zellige, marquetry, rich textiles and table settings that many reviewers note as a primary reason to visit in themselves.
Under chef Hélène Darroze, the restaurant presents traditional dishes through a fine-dining lens, with tasting menus and refined versions of Moroccan classics served with the formal level of service associated with haute cuisine.
We found the Moroccan food to be very well prepared. With the set menu, there was so much food that we found it hard to finish all of it. Better that than to be left wanting more, though. The sea bream course was something special, accompanied by a delicious array of traditional zucchini, aubergine and other assorted vegetables. When it came to the 24-hour cooked lamb, we were both defeated by the portion size.
There was also live music courtesy of a solo musician during the evening service, which added to the traditional ambience.
La Grande Brasserie by Hélène Darroze
La Grande Brasserie is the hotel’s French restaurant, recently re-positioned as a brasserie under the direction of multi-starred chef Hélène Darroze.
The décor recalls a grand Parisian brasserie with opulent detailing, French-style table-side service, in-room carving, flambé dishes, a bread trolley and signature crockery.
Menus focus on classic French flavours, sometimes built around a main ingredient such as poultry, with dishes presented in a traditional multi-course structure.
Sesamo
Sesamo is the Italian restaurant at Royal Mansour, with the culinary direction provided by chef Massimiliano Alajmo and on-site execution led by chef Riccardo Barni. Chef Barni was even on hand to check on our meals and answer several questions about the restaurant. A great personal touch.
The kitchen uses a mix of local Moroccan produce and imported Italian ingredients to create a menu that combines Alajmo “classics” with dishes designed specifically for Marrakech.
Sesamo is widely cited as one of the best Italian restaurants in the city and is ranked in MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants.
We tried two of the menus available at Sesamo; the Max
Le Jardin restaurant
Le Jardin is the all-day restaurant by the outdoor pool, with tables set on terraces and decks overlooking the water and surrounding gardens.
The menu combines Mediterranean dishes with grilled specialities, sushi, steamed dishes and wok preparations influenced by Japanese and Chinese cooking.
Guests not staying at the hotel can sometimes access Le Jardin through day passes that include pool use and lunch, making it one of the more approachable ways to sample the property.
In-riad dining & other options
In-riad dining is available 24 hours a day and can cover anything from breakfast in the courtyard to formal dinners laid out on the roof terrace or in the sitting room.
The library and bars also offer lighter bites and snacks, and the spa’s Tea Lounge focuses on lighter, wellness-oriented dishes and teas.
Bars, lounges & the library
Royal Mansour groups its main bar spaces into four: the Bar, the Fireplace Lounge, the Cigar Bar and the bar at Le Jardin.
The main Bar is centred around a glowing glass counter decorated with silver floral motifs, with ceilings painted in gold-on-white foliage patterns.
The Fireplace Lounge sits just off the main Bar, with dimmed lighting, leather upholstery, inlaid woodwork screens and a transparent fireplace that appears to burn at the foot of palm trees outside.
The Cigar Bar is characterised by darker woods and warm, woody scents, offering a collection of cigars along with drinks suited to that environment.
On the opposite side of the patio, the Library is fitted with reed-inlay shelves and cabinets holding books on Moroccan history, decorative arts and culture, making it a quiet corner for reading or pre-dinner drinks (including Casablanca beer and alcohol-free cocktails) and snacks.
The hotel has one of the largest wine cellars in Africa, which aligns with the calibre and breadth of the wine lists on offer.
Families & kids’ facilities
Royal Mansour has a dedicated children’s club, Le Jardin de Lila, for guests aged roughly 4–10.
The club offers supervised activities, storytelling, games, crafts and themed experiences related to Arab-Andalusian princesses and Berber legends, with snacks and treats provided.
Family packages include access to Le Jardin de Lila, a certain number of hours of babysitting (for example three hours per stay when booked under a family offer), and children’s amenities and small gifts.
The outdoor pool, gardens and riad-style living also adapt naturally to families, especially in the larger Privilege, Prestige and Grand riads with multiple bedrooms and more expansive terraces.
We did not undertake this review with any children in tow, but the facilities looked to be first class.
Experiences, concierge & workshops
The concierge team positions itself as a gateway to “their” Marrakech, arranging both classic and less common experiences in and around the city.
They can organise horse-drawn carriage rides, private guided tours of the medina, shopping in high-end boutiques, and excursions into the desert, including overnight camps or hot-air balloon flights.
Within the hotel, there is a programme of Signature Workshops, including Moroccan and Italian cooking classes, pastry workshops and mixology sessions, held in a dedicated cooking school and bar-laboratory.
The cooking school is designed like a family kitchen, with a central island and a large marble table used for tastings at the end of classes.
Mixology workshops teach guests how to balance flavours, work with emulsions and create original drinks, including non-alcoholic wellness-oriented blends.
Service style
The service is highly personalised yet discreet, enabled largely by the underground tunnel system which allows staff to appear and disappear without crossing public areas.
Each riad has butler service and 24-hour housekeeping, and many reviews highlight the attentiveness and proactive nature of the staff, from welcome to departure.
We came across different members of staff on several occasions, going about their work efficiently. They always made their presence known before entering rooms and were polite and respectful.
One example of service was when we noticed that the parasol on the top floor terrace had a dodgy wheel. One call and it the entire base unit was swapped out for a new one.
The hotel itself has been recognised in hospitality awards specifically for warmth of welcome and service standards.
Practicalities & nearby surroundings
Royal Mansour sits within walking distance of several key sights, including the Koutoubia Mosque, Jemaa el-Fnaa and Ensemble Artisanal; many guests use the hotel as a base for exploring the local area on foot.
The hotel also offers free secure parking and valet service for guests arriving by car.
An airport shuttle can be arranged, and for certain room categories or offers, a complimentary return transfer is included.
Wi-Fi is complimentary across riads and public areas, and there are facilities for small events or private functions in some of the hotel’s salons and courtyards.