Desperate for a dose of winter sun? Park Hyatt’s first foray into Morocco has been a long time coming and it’s a blinder. They’ve gone big. Big pools, big gardens, big spa and, best of all, it’s big on giving guests a good time.
Like plenty of the five-star offerings in Marrakech, the brand-new Park Hyatt is outside the medina (15mins from the airport) with access via Al Maaden, a sprawling villa community popular with golfers. There’s nothing ornate nor grand about the hotel’s architecture. Low-rise buildings constructed from earthen plaster are designed to reflect the cinnamon hues of the Red City.
But step inside the lobby, and glamour ricochets off every Saharan pink marble surface. Think soaring ceilings and walls covered in head-turning art that will have you searching up the artists on Instagram – much of it drafted in from Ifitry, an artist’s residence north of Essaouira.
Imaad Rahmouni, the French-Tunisian architect responsible for the interiors had a big job on his hands. Huge. The hotel sits on 18 acres studded with palm and laurel trees. On a cloudless day, the snow-capped Atlas come into astonishing HD focus and, best of all, the whole place feels deliciously peaceful and paradise-like.
Rooms, of which there are more than 100, are grouped in clusters with shared courtyards. A sneak peek inside a range of them revealed smart well-thought-out spaces with a leaning towards business rather than pleasure.
A quick word to the food. Head chef Issam Rhachi is a name to add to your watch list. A Marrakech native who grew up on snails’ broth and grilled sheep’s head before discovering French gastronomy, he ranks alongside some of our best Michelin-starred chefs. Lunch is enjoyed on the hotel’s terrace, which immediately shot straight to the top of my all-time favourite al fresco places.
Sea bream ceviche, flambéed sardine and lamb chops with a teriyaki glaze are among the highlights, and sitting there with the sun shining and the misters spritzing, I couldn’t prevent my thoughts from turning to my comrades back in rain-soaked London…
After lunch, the spa called. With its star-pricked ceiling and smooth Taza limestone floors, the indoor pool is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever encountered in my many years of spa writing. After ten laps, I headed upstairs for a Sodashi massage and floated out certain I had the best job in the world.
Okay, it’s clear I love this new hotel. It’s impressive in too many ways to count. And it’s unexpected too. Marrakech’s grand-dame hotels might not be quaking in their ornately decorated babouches but guess what? Maybe they should be.
Rooms at Park Hyatt Marrakech start from 650 euros a night including breakfast. For more information, visit www.hyatt.com.
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