Marrakesh - There’s a risk involved with booking into the Royal Palm Marrakesh. You could quite easily drive through the gates on to the vast estate with its thousands of olive trees (they press their own oil here), world-class golf course, four restaurants, chic bar and sports centre, then check into your suite or villa and feel so comfortable that you never bother to take the 15-minute cab ride to see inside Marrakesh’s city walls.
Opened in December, this is the Beachcomber group’s first venture outside the Indian Ocean and there is more than a hint of luxury about the place.
Designed by Mauritian architect Jean-François Adam, the resort’s monumental scale is evident from the moment you walk into the cathedral-sized reception, all dark cedar wood with stucco and polished stone flooring. Despite being landlocked you can see water through the floor-to-ceiling picture window – the hotel’s 200m2 heated outdoor swimming pool, set against the backdrop of the white Atlas Mountains.
Moroccan architectural touches and traditional materials have been incorporated into the modern design of the main building and the outlying accommodation and leisure blocks.
If you do drag yourself away from the beautifully maintained grounds, you’ll recognise the archways, lime plaster, wooden lattice work, ceramic tiles and Berber geometric designs from local landmarks such as La Medersa Islamic college.
The hotel’s kitchens might be headed up by a classical French chef, but you will find local fare on offer at the first-floor Al Ain, which has an al-fresco terrace and outdoor oven where traditional dishes such as tagine are prepared. Le Caravanne offers an international menu, while Le Palm showcases French fine dining. A long, lazy lunch of fish from Essaouira at the poolside L’ Olivier Restaurant is not to be missed.
Sports facilities include tennis and squash courts, a Pilates studio, Kinesis workout stations and that golf course. The large kids’ club is absurdly well-equipped with its own swimming pool.
The hotel is just over 10km south of Marrakech’s pink city walls, where you’ll find all the main tourist attractions, including the souk, Jemaa el-Fna (the main square with its buskers and food stalls). The hotel provides a free shuttle service into the city.
l See www.beachcomber-hotels.com
The Independent