TOP SUITES OF MOROCCO - Elite Traveler
TOP SUITES OF MOROCCO - Elite Traveler
TOP SUITES OF MOROCCO - Elite Traveler
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E L I T E R E C O M M E N D S<br />
<strong>TOP</strong> <strong>SUITES</strong> <strong>OF</strong> <strong>MOROCCO</strong><br />
Since Morocco’s King Mohammed VI made tourism<br />
a top national priority a decade ago, the number of<br />
visitors to the North African kingdom has increased<br />
almost twofold and is expected to reach 18 million<br />
in 2020. This staggering growth has given the elite<br />
traveler more choices than ever. Here are the best<br />
suites the country has to offer, both new and old, from<br />
the imperial city of Fez to decadent desert oases to the<br />
Atlas Mountains and Marrakech.<br />
BY SCOTT GOETZ<br />
KASBAH <strong>OF</strong> AIT-BEN-HADDOU / <strong>MOROCCO</strong>
<strong>TOP</strong> <strong>SUITES</strong><br />
BEDROOM / ROYAL APARTMENT<br />
S<strong>OF</strong>ITEL FÈS PALAIS JAMAÏ<br />
ROYAL APARTMENT<br />
Key selling points | Gilded carved cedar wood ceilings soar<br />
over this 19th century palace, once the original residence<br />
of the Grand Vizir. Priceless, handcrafted zellige tilework<br />
bedecks the floors and walls, while silk draperies frame a<br />
grand window overlooking the gardens and medina of Fez.<br />
Standout service | At turndown, carpeted stairs are placed<br />
next to the gold and silver canopy bed to ease tired travelers<br />
to slumber in sultan style.<br />
Style | Historic Arab-Moorish living, overseen by the Grand<br />
Vizir of Jamaï, 1876<br />
Special amenities | Crystal chandeliers, flat-screen TV, DVD<br />
player, Bose audio system, Hermès bath amenities<br />
Square footage | 5,769<br />
Number of rooms in suite | Three<br />
Number of bathrooms | Two<br />
Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 142, including<br />
19 suites<br />
Who’s slept here? | Hillary Clinton, Jacques Chirac, Bono<br />
Nightly rate | $2,690<br />
Location | Bab Guissa, Fez<br />
Contact | General Manager Jolanda Sadni Ziane,<br />
212-535-634-331; jolanda.sadni@sofitel.com;<br />
www.sofitel-fes-palaisjamai.com<br />
RIAD FÈS<br />
LIVING AREA / SUITE ROYALE<br />
MASTER BEDROOM / SUITE ROYALE<br />
SUITE ROYALE<br />
Key selling points | This Relais & Châteaux riad’s two-floor<br />
suite features Fez’s signature architecture, with carved<br />
wooden ceilings that top a jewel-like master bedroom.<br />
Upstairs, a living room opens onto a rooftop terrace with<br />
unobstructed views of the city’s medina.<br />
Standout service | A guest requested a musician and<br />
private waiter for a proposal dinner. When rain fell, staff<br />
removed the furniture from the living room and covered the<br />
floor with rose petals and candles.<br />
Style | Traditional Moroccan, by owner/architect Anis<br />
Sefrioui, 2008<br />
Special amenities | Locally crafted bath amenities including<br />
a black mud scrub, 39-inch satellite TV, DVD player,<br />
Nespresso machine, iPod docking station<br />
Square footage | 968<br />
Number of rooms in suite | Two<br />
Number of bathrooms | One<br />
Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 26 suites<br />
Who’s slept here? | Actress Sigourney Weaver, Indian royalty<br />
Nightly rate | From $615<br />
Location | 5 Derb Ben Slimane Zerbtana, Fez<br />
Contact | General Manager Awa Diakhate, 212-664-898-682;<br />
riadfes@relaischateaux.com; www.riadfes.com
<strong>TOP</strong> <strong>SUITES</strong><br />
BEDROOM / VILLA D’ARGENT<br />
DAR AHLAM<br />
VILLA D’ARGENT<br />
Key selling points | Set in an organic garden, this twobedroom<br />
suite offers a private hideaway between the High<br />
Atlas and Sahara. Palm trees and the towering main kasbah<br />
can be viewed from the courtyard’s plunge pool—the perfect<br />
place to sip Moroccan wine from the suite’s mini-cellar.<br />
Standout service | When former guest Ted Turner mentioned<br />
that his home had big TVs (the suite had none), staff drove<br />
five hours to find one and by evening, it was installed.<br />
Style | Berber chic, by Thierry Teyssier, 2004<br />
Special amenities | Custom embroidered linens, two fireplaces<br />
with a wood menu for burning, Maisons des Rêves bath<br />
amenities, private butler service<br />
Square footage | 2,153<br />
Number of rooms in suite | Two<br />
Number of bathrooms | One<br />
Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 12, including three villas<br />
Who’s slept here? | Harvey Keitel, Karolina Kurkova, actress<br />
Adriana Karembeu<br />
Nightly rate | From $1,232<br />
Location | Douar Oulad Cheik Ali, Skoura, Region of Ouarzazate<br />
Contact | Director of Operations Hicham Hraïd-Rochette,<br />
33-607-362-226; hhr@maisonsdesreves.com;<br />
www.maisonsdesreves.com<br />
LIVING AREA / RIAD D’HONNEUR<br />
RO<strong>OF</strong> TERRACE / RIAD D’HONNEUR<br />
ROYAL MANSOUR MARRAKECH<br />
RIAD D’HONNEUR<br />
Key selling points | This top accommodation—which<br />
took three-and-a-half years and 1,800 workers a day to<br />
construct—sets a new standard of luxury. The sprawling<br />
18-room riad has three floors surrounding a central courtyard<br />
with an electric retractable roof. Entertain in the screening<br />
room, dine on delicacies prepared in the riad’s full restaurant<br />
kitchen or relax on the rooftop terrace.<br />
Standout service | The hotel arranged a private helicopter to<br />
Essaouira for a surprise picnic under a tent.<br />
Style | Exquisite Moroccan artistry, by 3BIS, 2010<br />
Special amenities | Full-sized marocMaroc bath amenities,<br />
D. Porthault linens, interior wrought iron elevator, touch<br />
panel controls for light, air conditioning, volume and roof<br />
Square footage | 19,375<br />
Number of rooms in suite | 18<br />
Number of bathrooms | Four and two half-baths<br />
Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 53 riads<br />
Who’s slept here? | Top politicians, CEOs and designers<br />
Nightly rate | $41,290<br />
Location | Rue Abou Abbas El Sebti, Marrakech<br />
Contact | General Manager Jean Pierre Chaumard,<br />
212-529-808-080; jpchaumard@royalmansour.ma;<br />
www.royalmansour.com
<strong>TOP</strong> <strong>SUITES</strong><br />
DINING ROOM / AL-HAMRA MAISON<br />
AMANJENA<br />
AL-HAMRA MAISON<br />
Key selling points | Celebrities and socialites praise this<br />
two-bedroom retreat for its minimalist take on Alhambran<br />
architecture. The central living room, with two cavernous<br />
domed bedrooms on either side, opens onto a walled garden,<br />
large pool and lounging and dining areas.<br />
Standout service | One guest bought out the resort for a<br />
birthday bash that included music and a live baby camel.<br />
Style | Moroccan tradition meets modern design, by Ed<br />
Tuttle, 2007<br />
Special amenities | Two fireplaces, butler service, Havaianas<br />
for Amanjena sandals, argan oil and Moroccan candles,<br />
Nespresso machine, La Maison de Blanc linens<br />
Square footage | 12,163<br />
Number of rooms in suite | Three<br />
Number of bathrooms | Two and one half-bath<br />
Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 39, including 32<br />
pavilions, six maisons and the Al-Hamra Maison<br />
Who’s slept here? | Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Sienna<br />
Miller, David and Victoria Beckham<br />
Nightly rate | From $3,550<br />
Location | Route de Ouarzazate, km 12, Marrakech<br />
Contact | General Manager Miguel De Sousa, 212-524-399-000;<br />
mguedesdesousa@amanresorts.com; www.amanresorts.com<br />
VILLA DES ORANGERS<br />
PATIO / PRIVATE RIAD<br />
PRIVATE RIAD<br />
Key selling points | Hidden within a cluster of converted<br />
riads, this boutique hotel’s top offering delivers intimacy and<br />
true medina character with two second-floor suites, living<br />
area with fireplace, solarium and seductive patio and pool.<br />
Standout service | Hotel staff can arrange a day trip to the<br />
Moroccan desert by private plane, complete with a champagne<br />
luncheon under a Berber tent.<br />
Style | Contemporary Moroccan, by owners Pascal and<br />
Veronique Beherec, 2008<br />
Special amenities | Complimentary 4x4 airport transfers,<br />
Les Sens de Marrakech bath amenities, African artifacts and<br />
art, butler service, Chez Zoe linens, Samsung TVs and DVD<br />
player, Bose iPod docking station<br />
Square footage | 1,500<br />
Number of rooms in suite | Four<br />
Number of bathrooms | Two<br />
Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 27, including 21 suites<br />
Who’s slept here? | A-list actresses and European CEOs<br />
Nightly rate | From $1,935<br />
Location | 6 rue Sidi Mimoun, Marrakech<br />
Contact | General Manager Jean Paul Compagnon,<br />
212-524-384-638; jpcompagnon@villadesorangers.com;<br />
www.villadesorangers.com
<strong>TOP</strong> <strong>SUITES</strong><br />
BEDROOM / THE KSAR’S APARTMENT<br />
KSAR CHAR-BAGH<br />
THE KSAR’S APARTMENT<br />
Key selling points | This Harim suite, situated high up in the<br />
castle’s turret, boasts a spacious bathroom with a massive<br />
marble bath and fireplace. Private stairs lead to a rooftop<br />
terrace with heated pool and a Moroccan tent with views of<br />
the surrounding palm grove.<br />
Standout service | One guest requested seating for 16<br />
guests in the hotel’s swimming pool for a formal dinner.<br />
Style | 14th century Moorish architecture, by owners Nicole<br />
and Patrick LeVillair, 2003<br />
Special amenities | Embroidered Venetian linens, Bang &<br />
Olufsen TV and DVD player, iPod docking station, traditional<br />
oriental hooded bathrobes, personal library<br />
Square footage | 1,050<br />
Number of rooms in suite | Three<br />
Number of bathrooms | One<br />
Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 14 suites<br />
Who’s slept here? | Kylie Minogue, Sean Connery, Jeremy<br />
Irons, Queen Sofia of Spain<br />
Nightly rate | From $1,230<br />
Location | Djnan Abiad, La Palmeraie, Marrakech<br />
Contact | General Manager Nicole Grandsire-LeVillair,<br />
212-524-329-244; nicole@ksarcharbagh.com;<br />
www.ksarcharbagh.com<br />
LA MAISON ARABE<br />
LIVING AREA / CHEMS ROYAL SUITE<br />
TERRACE / THE KSAR’S APARTMENT LIVING AREA / CHEMS ROYAL SUITE<br />
CHEMS AND NAHAR (ROYAL <strong>SUITES</strong>)<br />
Key selling points | These two triplex suites in the heart of<br />
the medina can be connected by a private hallway and offer<br />
rooftop terraces with Jacuzzis. Guests gain private access to<br />
the owner’s country annex and pool, set in luxuriant gardens<br />
adjoining the royal nursery.<br />
Standout service | Hotel staff arranged a dinner under a rooftop<br />
tent where Moroccan flautist Saïd Chraïbi serenaded guests.<br />
Style | Timeless oriental elegance, by owner Prince Fabrizio<br />
Ruspoli, 2009<br />
Special amenities | La Maison de Blanc Egyptian cotton linens<br />
and bathrobes, two plasma screen TVs, DVD player, Nectarome<br />
bath amenities<br />
Square footage | 950<br />
Number of rooms in suite | Two<br />
Number of bathrooms | Two<br />
Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 26, including 14 suites<br />
Who’s slept here? | Fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier,<br />
U.S. ambassadors<br />
Nightly rate | From $709<br />
Location | 1 Derb Assehbe, Bab Doukkala, Marrakech<br />
Contact | General Managers Taoufik Ghaffouli and Nabila<br />
Dakir, 212-524-387-010; direction@lamaisonarabe.com;<br />
www.lamaisonarabe.com
<strong>TOP</strong> <strong>SUITES</strong><br />
LIVING AREA / LION SUITE<br />
LA SULTANA MARRAKECH<br />
LION SUITE<br />
Key selling points | Cedar wood carvings cover the walls,<br />
doors and windows of this majestic suite, which includes an<br />
enormous sitting room fireplace flanked by two stone lions,<br />
an opulent bathroom with Jacuzzi, marble columns and<br />
crystal chandeliers and an outdoor covered terrace with<br />
ornate plasterwork.<br />
Standout service | One famous football player had monkeys,<br />
henna painters, fire breathers and jugglers perform on the<br />
private terrace for a special proposal.<br />
Style | Moroccan fantasy, by La Sultana concept design, 2009<br />
Special amenities | La Maison du Blanc Egyptian cotton<br />
linens, Pioneer iPad station, two 42-inch Samsung LCD TVs,<br />
artwork by Denis Wirth-Miller<br />
Square footage | 1,000<br />
Number of rooms in suite | Three<br />
Number of bathrooms | Two<br />
Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 28, including 15 suites<br />
Who’s slept here? | Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi,<br />
the cast of The Real Housewives of New York City<br />
Nightly rate | From $1,000<br />
Location | 403 Rue de la Kasbah, Marrakech<br />
Contact | VIP Hostess Imane Zkhiri, 212-524-388-008;<br />
rp@lasultanahotels.com; www.lasultanahotels.com<br />
LA MAMOUNIA<br />
LIVING AREA / RIAD<br />
RIAD<br />
Key selling points | Located in the gardens of this regally<br />
restored property, the three Riads offer a respite from the<br />
hotel’s legendary see-and-be-seen atmosphere. Discreet<br />
Moorish opulence defines the three bedrooms, dining room<br />
and living area, while a rooftop terrace wraps around the<br />
courtyard with private pool.<br />
Standout service | Staff accommodated the special, ultraspecific<br />
dietary needs of a guest’s beloved dog.<br />
Style | Modern Moroccan glamour, by Jacques Garcia, 2009<br />
Special amenities | Ozone swimming pool, VIP entrance and<br />
in-riad check-in, open fireplace, Duravit sinks, Jacob Delafon<br />
bath tubs, D. Porthault linens<br />
Square footage | 7,534<br />
Number of rooms in suite | Six<br />
Number of bathrooms | Three<br />
Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 210, including 71<br />
suites and three Riads<br />
Who’s slept here? | Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Aniston,<br />
Gwyneth Paltrow, Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr<br />
Nightly rate | $12,500<br />
Location | Avenue Bab Jdid, Marrakech<br />
Contact | General Manager Didier Picquot, 212-524-388-600;<br />
dpicquot@mamounia.com; www.mamounia.com
<strong>TOP</strong> <strong>SUITES</strong><br />
LIVING AREA / ROYAL SUITE<br />
TAJ PALACE MARRAKECH<br />
ROYAL SUITE<br />
Key selling points | Spanning the top floor of the palace wing<br />
and offering panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains and<br />
the lush gardens of the Palmeraie district, this regal suite<br />
(to be unveiled, along with the rest of the hotel, this October)<br />
boasts three bedrooms with private baths, a large salon,<br />
terrace, lounge and meeting room. Interiors draw on a mix<br />
of influences, from the noble Berber kasbahs of Morocco to<br />
Ottoman architecture.<br />
Standout service | The hotel will be home to a<br />
40,000-square-foot ayurvedic Jiva Grande Spa.<br />
Style | Exotic oriental splendor, by Stuart Church, 2011<br />
Special amenities | Best-in-class Simmons mattresses,<br />
Ploh bathrobes, 45-inch Samsung TV, DVD player<br />
Square footage | 5,381<br />
Number of rooms in suite | Five<br />
Number of bathrooms | Three<br />
Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 161, including 26 suites<br />
Who’s slept here? | Long before opening, the suite welcomed<br />
the cast of Sex in the City 2 as the set of the ladies’ hotel in<br />
Abu Dhabi<br />
Nightly rate | Price available upon request<br />
Location | Bab Atlas, Palmeraie, Marrakech<br />
Contact | Reservations, (866) 969-1825; www.tajhotels.com<br />
LIVING AREA / BERBER TENTED SUITE<br />
POOL DECK / BERBER TENTED SUITE<br />
KASBAH TAMADOT<br />
BERBER TENTED <strong>SUITES</strong><br />
Key selling points | These six tented suites, nestled in the<br />
Atlas Mountains and just five minutes from the main kasbah,<br />
offer unmatched exclusivity. Desert touches blend with modern<br />
accents to cast a seductive air, from the private heated<br />
plunge pool to the white marble and mosaic bathroom.<br />
Standout service | The F&B Manager sourced a 1998 Château<br />
Margaux wine from King Mohammed VI’s wine cellar for a guest.<br />
Style | Romantic escape, by Real Studios, 2008<br />
Special amenities | Flat-screen LG TV, DVD player, Bose<br />
sound system with iPod docking station, Nespresso machine,<br />
Nectarome bath amenities<br />
Square footage | 700<br />
Number of rooms in suite | Two<br />
Number of bathrooms | One<br />
Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 24, including six<br />
Berber Tented Suites<br />
Who’s slept here? | Owner Sir Richard Branson and family,<br />
as well as many of Branson’s high-profile friends<br />
Nightly rate | From $1,300<br />
Location | BP 67, Asni<br />
Contact | General Manager Camilla Guyatt,<br />
212-524-368-200; camilla.guyatt@kasbahtamadot.virgin.com;<br />
www.kasbahtamadot.virgin.com
<strong>TOP</strong> <strong>SUITES</strong><br />
BEDROOM / VILLA PRESTIGE<br />
S<strong>OF</strong>ITEL ESSAOUIRA MOGADOR GOLF & SPA<br />
VILLA PRESTIGE<br />
Key selling points | Golf fanatics and beachgoers alike<br />
will enjoy this all-new two-bedroom suite, which offers a<br />
contemporary twist on Moorish motifs with an airy, open feel,<br />
bright colors and modern furniture made from exotic woods.<br />
Standout service | Staffers arranged a five-course dinner,<br />
accompanied by live music, for a very special proposal.<br />
Style | Modern Moorish, by Didier Gomez, 2011<br />
Special amenities | Private garden and pool, king-size<br />
MyBed, en suite Jacuzzi and hammam, Bose Wave sound<br />
system, Nespresso machine, Hermès bath amenities<br />
Square footage | 1,432<br />
Number of rooms in suite | Three<br />
Number of bathrooms | Two<br />
Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 175, including 14<br />
suites and 28 villas<br />
Who’s slept here? | This newly-opened property is sure to<br />
draw international VIPs<br />
Nightly rate | $1,500<br />
Location | Domaine de Mogador Diabat, Essaouira<br />
Contact | Guest Relations Manager Izabela Kwasna,<br />
212-524-479-400; h7145-gr@sofitel.com; www.sofitel.com<br />
HEURE BLEUE PALAIS<br />
BEDROOM / SENIOR SUITE<br />
SENIOR <strong>SUITES</strong><br />
Key selling points | Built into the medina walls of coastal<br />
Essaouira, Heure Bleue’s Senior Suites celebrate the city’s<br />
past as the crossroads of African, European and Arab trading<br />
routes. These oriental-inspired accommodations are rich<br />
with sensual fabrics, marble bathrooms and fireplaces that<br />
separate the bedrooms from the sitting areas.<br />
Standout service | Staff transformed the rooftop into a desert<br />
setting, complete with a Bedouin tent, large quantities of<br />
imported sand and a baby camel for a surprise birthday party.<br />
Style | Ocean liner elegance, by Karl and Olivier, 2004<br />
Special amenities | Flat-screen TV, DVD player, Val d’Argan<br />
wine, Les Sens de Marrakech bath amenities<br />
Square footage | 645<br />
Number of rooms in suite | One<br />
Number of bathrooms | One<br />
Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 33, including 15 suites<br />
Who’s slept here? | Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley<br />
Nightly rate | From $300<br />
Location | Bab Marrakech Gate, Essaouira<br />
Contact | General Manager François Laustriat; 212-524-783-434;<br />
f.laustriat@heure-bleue.com; www.heure-bleue.com
<strong>TOP</strong> <strong>SUITES</strong><br />
LIVING AREA / ROYAL VILLA<br />
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL MARRAKECH<br />
ROYAL VILLA<br />
Key selling points | The expansive four-bedroom Royal Villa<br />
offers the ultimate in luxury, from its indoor and outdoor<br />
dining areas to its private movie theater and garden with lap<br />
pool, whirlpool, fireplace and gazebo.<br />
Standout service | The first couple to check in had the resort<br />
to themselves and enjoyed a special anniversary dinner.<br />
Style | Contemporary design with Moroccan touches, by GA<br />
Design International, 2011<br />
Special amenities | Rivolta Carmignani linens, 42-inch flatscreen<br />
LCD TVs, DVD player, Bose surround sound system,<br />
Bulgari bath amenities, Kohler bath fixtures, airport transfer<br />
in a Rolls-Royce Ghost<br />
Square footage | 3,770<br />
Number of rooms in suite | Eight<br />
Number of bathrooms | Four and one half-bath<br />
Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 141, including 27 suites<br />
Who’s slept here? | A-list celebs are sure to flock to<br />
Marrakech’s newest hotspot<br />
Nightly rate | $14,980<br />
Location | 1 Boulevard de la Menara, Marrakech<br />
Contact | General Manager Jean Claude Wietzel,<br />
212-524-359-200; jeanclaude.wietzel@fourseasons.com;<br />
www.fourseasons.com/marrakech<br />
BEDROOM / ROYAL VILLA<br />
BEDROOM / ROYAL VILLA<br />
COORDINATE YOUR STAY:<br />
COX & KINGS<br />
Morocco isn’t the easiest country to navigate on<br />
your own, although it helps if you can speak French.<br />
Fortunately Cox & Kings has the resources to provide<br />
the best local guides, whether your trip’s focus<br />
is relaxation, history, shopping or haute cuisine.<br />
Local drivers (request Hicham Baghar) can make a<br />
multi-city journey an entertaining, educational and<br />
hassle-free experience: They know the best routes,<br />
have ins with top hotels to secure the most coveted<br />
suites and can arrange special excursions along<br />
the way to make for an unforgettable adventure.<br />
Contact | Destination Manager, India, Arabia<br />
& North Africa, Nicole Beattie, (323) 655-1758;<br />
nicole.beattie@coxandkingsusa.com; www.coxandkingsusa.com