Suite of the week: Grand Riad, Royal Mansour Marrakech, Morocco
Suite name: Grand Riad
Location: Royal Mansour Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco
Size of accommodation: 1,800 sq m
Cost per night: 30,339.36 USD
What makes it special: The Grand Riad is the ultimate immersion in Marrakech, where the guest is transported into a magical medina to experience the refined grace of traditional and royal Moroccan hospitality.
In the most intimate part of the Royal Mansour stands an icon of luxury hotels in Marrakech and around the world: the Grand Riad. This prestigious residence shines with the comings and goings of its famous guests. Between absolute relaxation in the hammam, gourmet rituals and sweet nights in one of the 4 bedrooms, you enter the highest spheres of refinement and elegance. An exceptional riad that inspires the wildest dreams…
Staying in a riad is the best way to enjoy a setting worthy of the tales of Arabian Nights while on holiday in Marrakech. A riad is a traditional house that is specific to Morocco. You will only see the facades of the riads when walking in the medina, but architectural treasures are hidden behind these great walls. Riads provide the perfect accommodation for those who are looking for privacy and a cool place to stay on sunny days in Marrakech. To create an authentic Moroccan experience, the Royal Mansour Marrakech has developed a unique offer where traditional hotel rooms and suites are replaced by 53 private riads, each more luxurious than the last.
Traditionally, a riad is a house that is centered around an open-air patio, allowing guests to enjoy the natural surroundings. These cool and verdant patios are often filled with plants and decorated with fountains or ponds, while the other rooms all face the bright patio centerpiece. The riad is surrounded by a few alcoves, called bhou, in which guests can enjoy some cool shade when the sun is out.
Riads are typically composed of more than one story. In the Grand Riad, the ground floor opens to the garden, which revolves around a patio. A private wrought iron elevator takes guests to the second floor which reveals 3 bedrooms, each with dressing rooms and independent bathrooms. A boudoir adjacent to the primary suite can be converted into an additional bedroom if needed.
Guests can easily float from sunbathing by the pool, to meals in the neoclassical dining room, or a business meeting in the office – life at the Royal Mansour Marrakech is the ultimate luxury.
Higher up, on the roof terrace, you have a front row seat to admire the view of the Atlas, which is matched only by the Koutoubia, right before your eyes. Pool, bar, lounges, hammam, fitness and cinema rooms invite you to savor a deliberately epicurean sweetness. The private receptions and cocktails organized in these places have a taste of legend.
The Grand Riad is a showcase of the beautiful culture in the Kingdom and true Moroccan craftsmanship. Silky fabrics combine with stucco lace, zelliges adorn floors and tables, tadelakt is used to detail the walls and fountains, chiseled cedar woods rub shoulders with contemporary works of art; all these elements celebrate the meticulous work of many craftspeople, creating a perfect balance.
The private entrance via the Patio des Oliviers allows discreet access to the Grand Riad, brings guests a sense of peace. Great lovers of nature are immediately struck by the spectacular volumes of this vast Moroccan residence which opens onto its landscaped garden and private swimming pool.
To further create the ultimate experience of being treated like royalty, each guest receives a butler who brings the exceptional riad to life in harmony with their preferences. The Royal Mansour personnel pay special attention to detail learning their guest’s wants and needs to fully personalize the experience while in Marrakech. They will coordinate with style and precision the house staff who discreetly enchant your daily life from the professional kitchens and the three service rooms that make up the riad.
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Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.
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It has to be said that when Morocco does style, it really goes all out for it. How tempting is this place?
Marrakech is hot, vibrant and in your face. It must be wonderful to kick back and relax in this sort of luxury.
The great thing about many of these super luxurious riads is that their design helps them to keep reasonably cool. They don’t use up too much electricity on air-conditioning.
When you think about it, Moroccan architecture punches way above its weight, it’s had an astounding influence on the world.
A few years ago I visited a Marrakech riad under construction. An 18th century family house was being renovated into a few riads. The whole building site was swarming with builders and the level of craftsmanship with workers chiselling away for hours was immense. I can’t even begin to imagine how much time and effort went into this suite.