In Morocco, One of the World’s Grandest Resort Brands Is Expanding With New Properties — Here’s an Inside Look

The Royal Mansour in Marrakech is known around the world for its luxurious accommodations and top-notch culinary offerings, having won a host of awards since opening in 2010. Now, after nearly 14 years in operation, the brand behind the resort has expanded with two new properties. The first addition being in the country’s capital, Casablanca, which opened earlier this year. And just last month, Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay opened along the Mediterranean coast. Each property aspires to offer first-rate hospitality, food, and drink, and the swanky guest rooms and suites that travelers have come to expect from the brand. However, each hotel maintains a distinct identity.

Owned by the royal family of Morocco, the properties were built to showcase the best of what the North African country has to offer. From the world-class dining to the hand-crafted architecture and design, each detail throughout the hotels was meticulously planned. The construction of Royal Mansour Marrakech took three years with the help of 1,200 artisans who created each hand-carved tile that fills the property. But it took a whopping eight years to build out the location in Casablanca. The art-deco building was constructed in the 1950s and operated as a hotel for decades, before a full overhaul turned it into the Royal Mansour Casablanca.

Royal Mansour Casablanca

That’s really where the aesthetic similarities end. The inaugural resort in Marrakech is designed with relaxation top of mind. Just a few minutes-walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa, the central market in Marrakech that dates back 11 centuries, each of the 53 riads on property are set amid manicured gardens and lush greenery and offer a private escape from the energy of the surrounding neighborhood. Whereas the property at Tamuda Bay is a touch more modern, with more of a beachfront resort feel. Rather than the bright colors and intricate designs showcased in Marrakech, this property is more subdued, with natural hues. 

In Casablanca, the third hotel is a distinct departure from the other two. Set in the central business district of Derb Omar, the focus is more on business travel with workstations in each room. Rather than the sprawling gardens at the other two properties, the hotel is set in a 24-story building so all amenities are close, including the restaurants and bars on the main floor. And instead of riads that invite the outdoors in, the rooms and suites in Casablanca are designed to be more cozy, with darker colors and soft textures.  

The culinary offerings are equally as impressive as the architecture and design of the spaces. The flagship property in Marrakech has four restaurants and four bars, of which, the Main Bar placed on Food & Wine’s Global Tastemakers list in 2023. That same year, chef Hélène Darroze joined to oversee the culinary offerings, bringing her expertise from a host of well-appointed hotels in London, including The Connaught — another Global Tastemakers winner. Of the four restaurants, there’s French, Italian, and Moroccan offerings, each with a distinct design. And last year, the property opened a cooking class where guests can spend an afternoon learning about and cooking traditional dishes with a member from the hotel’s culinary team. 

Royal Mansour Marrakech

The property in Casablanca launched with three restaurants: an elegant French restaurant helmed by Eric Frechon who previously worked at Le Bristol in Paris; a sushi bar that specializes in sashimi; and the rooftop Le Grande Table Marocaine, which is the star of the show. The restaurant offers unobstructed views of the city, including the Hassan II Mosque, and traditional dishes like briouats (filled puff pastries) and multiple varieties of tajine. There’s also the rooftop bar that has the same stunning views of the city, and on the ground floor, a cozy bar with a mid-century flair. At Tamuda Bay, chefs Quique Dacosta and Éric Frechon bring their Michelin expertise to the coastal resort with four restaurants that offer Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. 

So while travelers may not consider a hotel hop when visiting a location, the Royal Mansour properties in Morocco each offer something unique. Start with a stay in Casablanca, which is close to the airport, before making your way to Tamuda Bay, where you can relax by the ocean. Finish up with a relaxing retreat overlooking the Atlas Mountains in Marrakech, where United Airlines has just expanded their presence.