At This Marrakech Hotel Owned by Morocco's King, Every Guest Gets a Private Riad

Stay Here For

An experience that will make you feel like you’re part of a royal bloodline.

Want a hotel stay fit for a monarch? That’s exactly what you can expect at the Royal Mansour Marrakech, a hotel owned by Mohammed VI, the king of Morocco, who personally oversaw its construction.

No expense was spared on this lavish property, which reportedly took more than 1,200 artisans some three years to build. It’s clear from the moment you arrive at the gates: This is less a hotel than a work of art, with towering riads, majestic water features and intricately carved plaster and wood everywhere you look.

Here, guests stay in one of 53 private riads that are styled after traditional Moroccan homes, and even a base-level “room” spans three floors and has a private plunge pool and rooftop. The resort itself was designed to re-create the medina in a nod to Marrakech’s imperial era, so the riads, restaurants and other venues are connected by a network of pristine alleyways that wind between red-clay structures. Palm trees tower overhead, casting delicate shadows on the buildings and offering relief from the bright desert sun. It’s all so opulent, you might start to think you’re a member of the royal family.

There are multiple pools (one inside, one outside, both heated), four fantastic restaurants, sprawling gardens and what’s consistently recognized as one of the world’s most spectacular spas. And you should experience it all.

But also leave time to hide away in your riad, enjoying the sun as you settle in with a book on your rooftop balcony, or taking in the dazzling details—the hand-carved plaster walls, zellige tiles and wood-paneled ceilings—that make this hotel truly exceptional.

The Essentials

The Location

It certainly doesn’t feel like it once you’re inside the hotel’s gates, but you’re just a short walk from many of the top attractions in Marrakech, including markets and restaurants in the medina. The international airport, Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), is an easy 15-minute drive away, and round-trip transfers are included for all guests.

The Rooms

Hand-carved wood, intricately sculpted plaster, zellige tilework: Despite the size of the riads (starting at just over 1,500 square feet and spanning a living room, separate bedroom, dressing room, bathroom and private roof terrace with a plunge pool), each is filled with tiny, incredibly thoughtful details that make them fit for royalty.

Traveling with family or friends? Given the hotel’s secluded layout, you may want to share one larger riad, rather than booking multiple separate ones. Starting at around 4,600 square feet, the bigger riads feel like their own mini hotels and represent a whole new level of extravagance, with two to four bedrooms, multiple lounges and living rooms, and abundant outdoor space.

Best of all, with a team of discreet attendants able to deliver elaborate meals 24 hours a day using the hotel’s labyrinth of staff tunnels and service entrances, it’s easy to make full use of your personal space—although there’s also plenty of incentive to venture out.

Starting at just over 4,600 square feet, the multi-bedroom riads feel like their own mini hotels. (Photo courtesy of Royal Mansour Marrakech)

The Bars and Restaurants

While breakfast is served daily at the palatial La Grande Brasserie, one of the most memorable culinary experiences at the Royal Mansour Marrakech is the extravagant room service breakfast, which, if the weather cooperates, you should enjoy on your rooftop terrace. Place your order on the tablet that comes with your riad, and the staff will set up a decadent feast of pancakes, crepes, fruit platters, croissants with fresh jam, tagines, Moroccan pastries and harira (a flavor-packed lentil, chickpea and tomato soup).

Come lunchtime on the weekends, the hotel’s Sesamo restaurant is where you want to be. Request a table on the charming terrace, and prepare for a seemingly endless parade of incredibly fresh salads, sliced meats, cheeses, fish and meat dishes, rounded out with a comically large array of desserts. You may be stuffed, but the silky-smooth gelato is an absolute must.

For dinner, book a table at La Grande Table Marocaine. Opt for the multicourse Lixus Experience if you’re particularly hungry, or order some of the restaurant’s best à la carte. Standouts include the Moroccan salads (think: zucchini with grilled tomato; beetroot with orange), the lamb shoulder and the seven-vegetable couscous. End the evening with a cocktail at the glamorous Art Deco Main Bar, with rich woods, low lighting and walls covered in gold botanicals.

Finally, if you’re in the mood for something more casual, order lunch or dinner at Le Jardin Restaurant, the hotel’s open-air Asian-inspired spot. Expect elevated sushi, like king crab tempura rolls and Norwegian salmon sashimi; starters that range from wonton soup to sea bass salad; and elaborate entrées, like roasted lobster and Peking duck.

All bookings include fast-track service through customs and immigration at the airport, plus car service to and from the hotel.

The Standout Feature

The hotel’s stunning Spa Royal Mansour Marrakech is known for its two-story all-white reception area, with wrought iron elements that could be mistaken for delicate lace. It’s stunning, and absolutely worth a visit, even just to take in the cavernous room’s intricate design. 

The Time to Go

Summer can be very hot, and winter is quite chilly, though both seasons offer more affordable room rates. For the most pleasant weather, book your trip for between March and May or September and November.

The old city walls surrounding the hotel drown out the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, leaving only the sounds of flowing water and chirping birds.

The Vibe

The one thing to do before your stay: Ask the concierge to book your fast-track airport service (i.e., expedited customs and immigration) and a car to and from the hotel. Both are included, and you’ll very much appreciate having someone to whisk you through immigration once you see the long lines.

Are guests staying in or going out? A little of both. Royal Mansour Marrakech is within walking distance of restaurants in the medina, but there are also fantastic breakfast, lunch and dinner options on-site—it’s hard to choose, so you might as well mix it up. Just don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a luxurious breakfast in your riad.

The souvenir you’re bringing home: The hotel has been known to present special gifts to younger guests, such as a lion stuffed animal wearing a shirt embroidered with your child’s name. Check with the concierge, even if your little ones are still back home.

The perfect spot to relax: The impeccably manicured grounds and gardens, dotted with olive, lime, lemon and pomegranate trees. The old city walls surrounding the hotel drown out the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, leaving only the sounds of flowing water and chirping birds.

Everything Else

A constellation of towering riads, the hotel is unlike any you’ve visited before.