The newest luxury hotel in Marrakech
Every time I visit Marrakech I fall more and more in love with this city. The first visit felt like I was scratching the surface, while the second visit felt like a glimpse into the intricacies of Moroccan history. The third visit, however, felt like a complete rediscovery of myself. I checked in to The Oberoi Marrakech for a soulful solo escape. This is a complete review of my stay at The Oberoi Marrakech, the newest luxury hotel for the city of Marrakech.
Checking In: The Oberoi Marrakech
Marrakech is the kind of city you fall in love with on first visit. The sights, sounds and smells of the souks are something to behold. However the hustle and bustle of the medina can sometimes be a little overwhelming. So for my third visit to the city, I was excited for a more mellow escape at The Oberoi Marrakech. The Oberoi is located around 30 minutes drive from the city itself, set amidst lush olive groves and citrus trees. You really get a sense for how the Mediterranean has influenced Moroccan food and culture, with fresh produce available at your fingertips.
My main consideration when choosing a hotel to stay in Marrakech is to feel like I’m actually in Morocco. I want the Moorish architecture, local Moroccan cuisine and hammam rituals to complete the overall experience. Luckily, you’ll find that here and then some.
Pool Villas at The Oberoi Marrakech
I stayed at the Oberoi Marrakech for an entire week. With so much time in one place, I decided to try a couple of rooms on offer. Because the hotel has only just opened, I had my choice of rooms. Most of the hotel is made up of pool villas and the hotel itself has a total of 82 suites.
Pool Villas are the most popular option for guests as they are large and inviting, each with their own pool. My room was comprised of a bedroom mixed with a living room, adjacent bathroom with shower and bath tub and a walk-in wardrobe. It is a glamorous affair indeed!
Inside the Royal Suite
After a few nights thinking this stay could not get any better, I was offered an upgrade to the hotel’s Royal Suite. As the name suggests, it was pretty fancy. So much so that I squealed with excitement as soon as my butler vacated the room. The Royal Suite is more than triple the price of the pool villas so it is an indulgence reserved for very special occasions. I myself couldn’t believe my luck!
Each of the villas and suites offer a welcome tray of Moroccan pastries that will be topped up daily. There will also be a complementary tray of dried apricots, dates and nuts, accompanied by some fresh fruits and plenty of bottled water. If you are celebrating a special occasion be sure to let the team know prior to your arrival as celebratory champagne and flowers is only a dial away!
Around the Hotel: Spa, Pool & Fitness
Spa
The spa was an absolute highlight during my stay, especially for the traditional Moroccan hammam. I’ve tried quite a few hammam offerings in Morocco throughout my visits and this would have to be the most enjoyable. The ritual began with a steam bath and followed the traditional route of exfoliation and rehydration. If you have the time, opt for the 90-minute hammam to get the most out of your visit.
Fitness
There is a well-equipped gym in the spa area with a few cardio machines, free-weights and quite an impressive selection of weighted machines for your workouts. Personal trainer sessions are available and there are a few free classes on offer depending on the schedule. These include yoga classes, boxing classes and thrice weekly runs with the General Manager, Fabien.
Main Pool Area
For guests staying in the terrace suites fear not, there is a huge common pool right by the main entrance. This is also where you will find the hotel’s lunch restaurant, with a summery menu including classics like caesar salad and pizzas on the menu.
Another highlight of the hotel is a bit of an unsung hero: the hotel’s library. This library is filled with English and French books that mostly cover the history, culture and even recipes of Morocco. You are likely to enjoy this area of the hotel completely to yourself as it is often overlooked!
Restaurants at the Oberoi
Another important factor for me choosing a hotel to stay is the dining options and The Oberoi did not disappoint. Siniman was my favourite restaurant on the property, which offered traditional Moroccan cuisine and rituals (like washing your hands, Moroccan tea and even live music).
The next restaurant on my agenda was Azur. Located by the main pool area, this is where I spent my lunches reading a book in the sun day after day. If you find yourself spending the day at the resort, I can highly recommend the caesar salad followed by two scoops of salted caramel ice cream! Everything is made in house and you can really tell the difference.
One of the days I was invited to spend a couple of hours behind the scenes inside the hotel’s kitchen making my own selection of Moroccan salads, a traditional vegetarian tagine and ending on a sweet note with Moroccan pastries. This was truly a highlight of my stay and I hope they consider opening up cooking classes to guests.
Book your Stay
Interested in booking a stay? I’d recommend booking through the hotel direct and making use of the additional 10% discount if you book 30 days prior to your stay. Prices start at 8,500 MAD for the private pool villa – per villa, per night.
