A Private Riad at Royal Mansour, Marrakech

Based on the architecture of a traditional medina, made up of houses and gardens criss-crossed with winding alleyways, the Royal Mansour is an exceptional tribute to Morocco's architecture and craftsmanship. A fabulous eight-acre luxury setting surrounded by high ramparts, some of which back onto those of the original city. Once through the monumental gate, which is reminiscent of the city's, guests enter an oasis of calm, a courtyard with impeccable symmetry, built around a central fountain. Guided by the scents of a variety of essences, follow your nose and enter an enormous hall. The interior decoration showcases the full range of skills of the craftsmen from North Africa, Spain and Portugal: tadelakt, zellige tiles, carved or woven with gold leaf, black, ochre or blue marble, stretched leather, hanging crystal, marquetry, canopies and moucharabies... Once you've taken in all of these aesthetic wonders, the two restaurants, run by award-winning Parisian chef Yannick Alleno, showcase the best in Moroccan cuisine. Very fine Bordeaux wines, a cigar cellar, designer crockery and glassware: there's perfection in every detail. The Royal Mansour Spa opts for the purity of white tones for all of its materials. There's marble, of course, with wrought iron in the atrium reminiscent of a bird cage. Hammams, massages, hydrotherapy, wrap treatments and Chanel facials are available in the spa, which extends over three floors. Enjoy a gentle journey that ends by the pool under the orangery's glass canopy.

Your private riad

The Royal Mansour's 53 riads are scattered throughout the maze of ancient olive and palm groves. The staff use a network of underground galleries to move around discreetly. Each riad spreads out over three floors. The bedrooms are off a central courtyard and there are between one and four of them in each riad, depending on the size (1,500sq ft being the smallest). There's a hall, living room, bar and dining room in the larger ones. Each riad has a fireplace, terrace and rooftop pool (some have a hammam). The personalised decoration highlights local craftsmanship, quality materials and technology: in each room a touch screen controls the appliances and the roofs are fitted with rain sensors to protect the courtyard once the first drops fall.

Included in the itinerary

Your seamless journey starts at the airport. You are met at the aircraft's steps and accompanied to ensure rapid passage through customs and immigration formalities (outbound and return) and baggage collection. In order to enrich your stay at the Royal Mansour, we have included two highlights outside your extremely comfortable cocoon. First, a 4x4 experience to the southern Moroccan trails with a mountain guide. A wonderful day travelling through olive fields, Aleppo pine forests and steep gorges, to discover Berber villages of stone and mud houses. An opportunity to meet men at a cafe, children playing football and women in a weaving workshop. The next day, a private walk in the medina is scheduled with a visit to a foundouk where you can meet three craftsmen: a woodturner, a leatherworker and a coppersmith. The voyage of discovery continues with the intimate Boucharouite museum, set up in an 18th-century riad and dedicated to folk arts. Read more