Preview visit of the highly anticipated Park Hyatt in Marrakech, the new jewel of luxury hotels in Morocco

At the end of a long tarmac path, the exuberant vegetation of the central flower bed steals the show: we only discover the enormous block of white Calacatta marble marking the entrance – like the monumental gates of imperial cities – than when getting out of the car. The “wow” effect is slightly shifted, to be sought rather at the threshold of the hotel when the eye rushes towards the large bay window at the back, where the blues of a swimming pool sparkle against a backdrop of the Atlas, before linger on the lobby display.

Contemporary art and chiaroscuro

A ceiling height of 7.5 meters punctuated by immense clerestory partitions/bookcases, marble in profusion, Khenifra black for the most part, but also Italian white and Sahara pink woven on the floor in interlacing reminiscent of the Berber motifs, and works of art as if echoing the shapes and colors… In this long, subdued corridor, treated in majesty by interior designer Imad Rahmouni, elegant and unabashed luxury – the signature of the Park Hyatt brand , the most upscale of the group, stands out from the start, in line with the evolution of Marrakech which is increasingly becoming an international metropolis focused on art. In partnership with the Ifitry artists’ residence located north of Essaouira, a collection of 703 pieces created by around fifteen international visual artists – pottery, canvases, photos, sculptures – is displayed in all spaces. A fair return for this hotel project which finally came to fruition after being initiated in 2009 by the Alliances group whose foundation is very active in patronage (it created the Al Maaden Museum of Contemporary African Art (MACAAL ) neighbor).

The spirit is therefore very contemporary, but lovers of traditional Morocco will be able to relate there. The autumn colors of the gently curved seats are those of the earth, the soft greens evoke olive leaves, and the Berber triangle motif is encrusted on the moucharabiehs filtering the sun and the fireplace mantels. Going against previous codes of the hotel industry, the light of Marrakech is making a comeback, treated in a subtle way with a play of reflections and shadows. The two lounges punctuating the lobby on either side are the embodiment of this duality, on one side the Living Room, dark, with a strange atmosphere of night in broad daylight, and on the other, the reception, all in light tones under its zenithal glass roof. We promise to come back in the evening when the halos of the brass wall lights pulsate in front of the enormous suspension of 600 ceramic pieces created by the visual artist Mounat Charrat.

Pierre de Taza and patio shower

To access your room, there is no other choice than to enjoy a bucolic stroll in the 7.5 hectare garden planted with jacarandas, bougainvilleas, palm trees, oleanders and grasses: here, no villas, the 130 units are gathered in 16 one-story ocher-colored pavilions built in the style of a douar (village) and therefore closely spaced. As in a riad, you enter a patio, a cool airlock giving access to the rooms and suites. Pending the completion of two Duplex suites (up to 3 bedrooms, 350m2) three categories to choose from, all ultra-spacious: standard King or Twin room (55m2), Park suite (70m2) and Park Deluxe suite with separate living room (132 at 169m2 for the Park Deluxe suite with rooftop) with Atlas and golf views (the most expensive) or resort (swimming pool or vegetable garden).

The tone is modern with many reinterpretations of local design, giving off a real extra touch of warmth: brown leather headboards extended by woven wood panels like the tataoui of the kasbahs, Berber rugs, leather poufs, calligraphy by a Moroccan artist… Noble materials that contrast with the plywood used for the dressing rooms with their (sometimes too) opulent volumes. Very bright with a mix of light Taza stone (a raw block of which adorns the room) and black marble, the bathrooms open onto a private patio, the ultimate luxury, you can almost take your shower (aquamoon) in the open air! For families (who have a 250m2 kids’ club with climbing wall and water games), the Park Deluxe suite is connected to the standard room, which offers a total of 187m2.

At the table with a Moroccan chef, guardian of flavors

On the gastronomy side, we find this same local anchoring with a contemporary twist at the table of Tfaya, the Moroccan (and oriental) restaurant: the management of the kitchens has been entrusted to Issam Rhachi, one of the major figures of the Moroccan gastronomic scene who mixes forgotten recipes, traditional techniques and French gastronomic flair. You can enjoy dishes inspired by street food as well as more elaborate dishes, such as beef fillet cooked in a brazier, Moroccan salads of rare finesse or a shoulder of lamb in a hay crust… More eclectic, the Pavillon’s table draws from a Mediterranean repertoire with an Asian and Nikkei component (Japanese-Peruvian fusion). Everything is delicious and more than fair prices considering the level of the hotel, sourced in a responsible spirit, with the help of the home vegetable garden. The desserts are divinely reduced in sugar by the champion pastry chef of Africa.

Wellness with a view of the golf course and cultural outings

With its variations of green, off-white and blond wood, the immense restaurant terrace echoes the main swimming pool (heated) which extends it. Paved with celadon green zelliges, it is the meeting place for swimmers with its 47 meters long but for more privacy, we will prefer the second swimming pool below (20 m, heated) with more sparing shade. Both overlook the water mirror of a large pond along the golf course. A third swimming pool stretches out in the gardens between palm trees and olive trees: full of nooks and crannies, it is less suitable for laps but designed for families who do not have access to the main swimming pool, a wise point. On two floors and 2200 m2, the spa is well equipped for overall fitness: latest generation fitness, yoga studio, sports room (boxing classes, pilates, cross training, etc.), 10 treatment cabins (Sodashi , Australian vegan brand and Nectarbre, Moroccan brand) including two in duo and relaxation room. Natural light is favored with beautiful panoramas of the 18-hole Al Maaden golf course, but the atmosphere is also intimate: each cabin is flanked by a small rest room, extreme luxury, for limitless relaxation. . The icing on the cake, an indoor swimming pool stretches over 20 meters facing the golf course (accessible only in addition to a treatment). During the day the space is rather monastic, the best is to enjoy it at nightfall when the starry vault of lights sparkles facing the immense glass roof 7 meters high: magical!

From 700 euros per night in a standard room including a daily refreshed minibar (soft drinks). Breakfast: 37 euros.

Park Hyatt Marrakech Al Maaden Marrakech. Tel. : +212(0)5 24 44 12 34 .

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