HIDDEN GUEST: Mövenpick Hotel Marrakech

Morocco has always intrigued Europeans, not only because of its rich cultural tradition or the instantly recognisable vivid pastel colour patterns but because the country represents the first frontier of the African continent. In this respect, the Meditteranean serves as the buffer zone between two continents, dividing and uniting cultures, cuisines and nations. It was thus only a matter of time before travellers discovered Morocco’s intricate ins and outs and the relief of its cities. But Morocco isn’t just Casablanca, made famous by the iconic 1943 film. There is Marrakesh, too. Dwarfed by the imposing Atlas mountain chain on its horizons, Marrakesh is strewn with palm trees and home to over a million people. Visitors who wish to explore this unique destination can rely on excellent connections and will arrive at a modernist airport that works like clockwork. A short fifteen-minute drive will transport you to an up-class business district where Mövenpick Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech found its home. The resort emerges from the street like a well-forted Arabic stronghold. Guests can go from the safe embrace of the exotic establishment to the city’s many sights, including the old quarter, where they will find a vibrant street food market. Luscious parks are in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, too. Don’t be surprised to cross paths with peacocks and rabbits while wandering the paths zigzagging through the courtyards of the vast resort.

The first point of contact when reaching a destination is often the taxi service. In Marrakesh, you will be amazed by the hospitality and loquacity of locals who will always go the extra mile to make you feel welcome. When touching down at Marrakesh Airport, we thus recommend finding a taxi, as they are cheap and reliable. Airport connections across Morocco are excellent, as budget airlines, including Ryanair, offer weekly connections. To reach the city’s monuments, we advise against walking, especially during summer months, as the heat radiated from the sidewalks is unbearable during the day. Even in March, the temperatures can rise over 30°C. Motorbikes are the preferred transport in Marrakesh. You will see much more trusted old mopeds than cars in this city. The infrastructure for bicycling is less brilliant. If in doubt, we recommend taking the advice of the kind concierge at the Mövenpick Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech, who will gladly explain the best way to get around town.

With an exterior that would befit any local museum, Mövenpick Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech is a portal to the opulence within. The facade dons a typical Moroccan desert colour that blends with the surrounding buildings. What amazed us most was the lavish interior. This hotel-cum-art-gallery attacks several of the guest’s senses once inside. First, an aromatic odour immediately transports guests to a world of enticing spices and unknown roses. The artworks are a sight for sore eyes: they display classy portrayals of local life: villagers enjoying hookah, black and white photos of the local mosques and close-ups of venerable older generations. The furniture, too, is worthy of a five-star hotel. Gold embroidery, a centrepiece chandelier, tastefully designed loungers and a stream of water running through the lobby; the details are undoubtedly abundant in this hotel. That is not the end of the architectural experience, though. The horticulture is equally impressive, with lines of native plants, each meticulously marked and labelled, flanking both sides of the expansive courtyard. This verdure fairytale continues into the pool area, which has become one of the resort’s main attractions. Surrounding the courtyard are several restaurants and bars that complement the offering. Mövenpick Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech has perfected the art of diversification, ensuring guests have something to do throughout their day – be it sunbathing, enjoying local cuisine or relaxing in the hammam. You may not even venture out of the comfortable confines of this establishment during your stay.

Throughout the hotel, the contact with staff members was incredibly positive. Everyone was unbelievably friendly and kind. Still, the concierge failed to point us to the local restaurants and instead tried to direct us to the hotel restaurants serving international classics. Breakfast was authentically flavoured, with a range of dishes that included Moroccan pancakes, a variety of hummus and freshly made pastry. We must remark that the hotel in the five-star segment should serve real espresso instead of the watery coffee we had. The dinner in Saray Restaurant was superb, however. We relished the excellent chicken skewers grilled on the barbeque and the various spreads that amazed us. The prices in the Manso Bar are, unlike most gastronomic establishments in the city, very high by Moroccan standards. Nonetheless, the cuisine is excellent, and the front cooking at breakfast really impressed us.

Hotel rooms

The room meets all the expectations for a five-star hotel and a Movenpick. However, a decade of operation is apparent: scratches on the floor, a few discrepancies in design and minor details prove the hotel has been running at full speed since opening. The room itself is spacious, with a comfortable bed as the centrepiece. Above the bed, the headboard features a beautiful pastel colour and traditional motifs. Together with the bathroom, boasting slick black tiles, the hotel room exudes the prestige of a five-star hotel. The details are noteworthy, including a copper light and black and white photos on the wall. A cosy lounger is perfect for reading the latest issue of Monocle or a guide to the city. A boutique terrace overlooks the zen garden and the pool. We were a bit surprised by the natural alarm clock that came in the form of a peacock every morning from 05:00 onwards. The hotel rooms may soon need a revamp as the full occupancy year-round is showing.

Meetings centre

The hotel has an ace up its sleeve. The Palais des Congrès conference centre is ideal for a host of events, from large international conferences in the royal ballroom to boutique meetings in the meeting rooms. The cavernous halls are modern and offer the latest multimedia technology. Event planners can also rely on the hotel team that has become adept at helping organise the most demanding event productions. Another advantage is the conference centre’s direct connection with the hotel. For attendees staying at the hotel, reaching the event venue is a piece of cake.

DESSERT – The extras

The spa and pool facilities in this hotel are incredible. Three pools are ideal for refreshment in the scorching hot Moroccan sun. For a true traditional spa experience, we recommend a hammam treatment. You can throw an unforgettable pool party here.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

Wear and tear is natural for hotels that operate at this frequency. Nevertheless, the scratches on the toilet seat and the dents on the doors smear the otherwise positive impression of the rooms.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

Embracing the Moroccan culture and offering local products is a great way to introduce guests to a new culture. As a hotel guest, you can purchase traditional long robes in the shop in the hotel lobby and try mint tea as you stroll the outdoor paths leading to the hotel annexes.

SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS

Sustainability seems to be the least of the hotel’s priorities. We did not come across any sustainable initiatives or any waste management campaigns. For a five-star hotel, we would have expected at least a sign to save water or the classic “save the planet” sign for reusing towels. It seems this hotel has a long way to go to achieve a sustainable transformation. Maintaining the vast pool surfaces is not very energy efficient, either.

For guests who prefer the comfort of their hotel to venturing out in the bustling city streets of Marrakesh, Mövenpick Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech is the perfect choice. With a broad array of additional services and excellent staff, the hotel meets the expectations of a Mövenpick resort. Nonetheless, the hotel requires a thorough renovation of its rooms to continue upholding the five-star standard. The combination of international classics and local peculiarities does make for a convincing choice, though. With a favourable position, this hotel is the perfect retreat from a day-long journey across the city’s souks and riads.

FINAL GRADE: 4.88 THREE MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐Resort Meeting Hotel 

3 MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ final score from 4.81 to 5.00
2 MEETING STARS⭐⭐ final score from 4.61 to 4.80
1 MEETING STAR⭐ final score from 4.41 to 4.60