Review: The Oberoi Marrakech (Morocco)

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

Today: Review of The Oberoi Marrakech (Morocco)

Hotel website: The Oberoi Marrakech
Location: Google maps
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso

Set in 28 acres of fragrant citrus trees and centuries-old olive groves, The Oberoi Marrakech is a phenomenal 5-star plus luxury hotel. Moorish architecture, Moroccan tapas, and hammam rituals are just a few of the elements that create a truly authentic Moroccan experience. The courtyard of the main building incorporates the design of the historic Medersa Ben Youssef, built in the 14th century and one of Marrakech’s most famous historic monuments. The ultra-luxury property features 84 butler-serviced rooms and villas (some with private courtyards and pools). All accommodations are tastefully decorated in a subtle palette of muted ivory and burnished gold, complemented by ornate Moroccan details and views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains.

The Oberoi Marrakech features in my top 10 list of the best luxury hotels in Marrakech.

Have you ever stayed at The Oberoi Marrakech? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

In this review (more info and photos below my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

The Oberoi Marrakech is one of the best luxury hotels in Morocco’s legendary city of Marrakech, a favored destination with travelers from across the world. With over a thousand years of history behind it, Marrakech captivates all who venture within its ochre-coloured walls. A city of many faces and contrasts, where the sights, smells, colours and sounds unite gloriously to compose an astounding sensorial symphony. Step inside the ancient medina, souks, riads, palaces and perfectly manicured gardens, and be transported back to the annals of history. Beyond the timeless face of Marrakech, a modern 21st century city emerges with luxury hotels, fine dining restaurants, international shopping, designer boutiques and an exhilarating cultural and nightlife scene.

The Oberoi Marrakech is set in 28 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, fragrant citrus orchards and olive groves with spectacular views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Although located outside the city center, the hotel is still conveniently close to the city’s most famous sites and has the advantage that its serene setting provides a feeling of seclusion and privacy. The resort is located 25 minutes from the international airport, Jemâa El Fna square and the ancient walled city. Getting in to central Marrakech from the property is easy, with the hotel running a complimentary daily shuttle at fixed times and also offering paid transfers in luxury cars if the shuttle times don’t suit. The Oberoi Marrakech is also close enough for sightseeing and adventure day trips to the Atlas Mountains and forays into the desert.

The design of The Oberoi Marrakech is inspired by the magnificent history of Moroccan architecture. The main building of hotel is geometrically laid out like an Andalusian royal residence, such as Al Hambra. It has an imposing facade of robust walls and handcrafted, fortified doors, behind which lies an inner sanctum ornate with delicate Andalusian design elements; from intricately hand carved woodwork domes and archways, to zellige mosaic wall tiles with vibrant colours and complex geometric designs, and grand panels of sculpted plasterwork fashioned with auspicious phrases in Arabic such as El Afia El Bakia (Eternal Health). The lobby is embraced by walls with ornate latticework grilles and double arched windows, which fill the space with light and breath-taking views of the landscaped gardens, the ancient olive groves and Atlas Mountains.

The centerpiece of the main building is a magnificent courtyard with fountains and water bodies such as there would have been to refresh the royal horses in ancient times. It was also customary for residences to have a water body for guests in their reception area. This was of spiritual significance and also for visitors to refresh themselves in, having completed a long journey. Inspired by these traditions, the signature piece of the central courtyard is a grand black basin that gives an illusion of infinite depth. A large central flame appears miraculously balanced upon its glass-like water. At night, the firelight lends an air of mystical beauty to the whole building, with its play of light and shadows upon the carvings and alcoves. The central courtyard is built after the iconic Medersa Ben Youssef, one of Marrakech’s most famous historic monuments.

The Oberoi,Marrakech has 84 spacious and luxurious rooms, suites, and villas (76 of which have large private pools and private gardens). The rooms and suites have been thoughtfully laid out for maximum privacy. During my holiday, I stayed in a Deluxe Villa with Private Pool. With beautiful, hand painted, traditional zellige tiles and hand sculpted wall panels, the villa’s interior harmonized traditional Moroccan design. The spacious accommodation included a master bedroom with sitting & dining area, a beautifully ornate hallway, a dressing area with walk in wardrobe, and a ensuite bathroom equipped with a free standing bathtub, two wash basins, and enclosed toilet and shower cabins. Both the bedroom and bathroom gave way to a private courtyard garden with a private outdoor swimming pool. Laid out in a traditional Moroccan style, the enclosed garden felt a bit like a private Riyad courtyard area.

The gardens at The Oberoi Marrakech are an oasis of peace and tranquillity, where guests can indulge in meditative contemplation while strolling along the tree-lined promenade beside the 240 m (787 ft) long grand canal (located at the heart of the property) or while relaxing on a seat in the shade. The gardens delight all senses: the aroma of fragrant plants and trees drifts upon the air; water can be heard trickling in the fountains; and the colors of the foliage and flowers are bright against the azure sky. The garden has been geometrically designed according to the ancient metaphorical belief that in heaven, spiritual order quells the wild disorder of nature. The flowerbeds are arranged in thematic clusters, and are filled with aromatic plants and succulents. As well as the ancient olive groves and citrus orchards, native Mediterranean cypress trees provide cool shade during the heat of the day.

An oasis of tranquility and serenity, The Oberoi Spa at The Oberoi Marrakech is located on a private islet and is built around a maze garden. The entire space draws natural light from the garden centerpiece, as well as being filled with soft natural light that flows in through floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the surrounding waterbody. The spa has five treatment rooms, two therapy rooms and two traditional Moroccan hammams. Additional facilities include a rejuvenation room, a yoga room with an al fresco pavilion for complimentary group yoga sessions or private instruction, a fitness center equipped with cardiovascular and weights machines, indoor temperature-controlled swimming pool, a spa boutique, and a beauty salon. The menu offers luxurious holistic experiences, including wellness programs customized to individuals’ specific needs, herbal therapies and rituals derived from age old wisdom and traditions.

The Oberoi Marrakech boasts three excellent restaurants and a bar. With specially curated menus, the hotel’s talented chefs craft dishes with the finest seasonal ingredients and culinary finesse:
- Located in the central courtyard is Rivayat Restaurant, an ode to India’s many culinary traditions and delights. Mentored by Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai, a true connoisseur of the heritage of Indian cuisine, Rivayat takes guests on a journey to the very essence of Indian flavors. Upon stepping into Rivayat, guests are immediately transported to a remarkable setting evoking both the opulence of the finest Michelin-starred restaurants and the authenticity of Indian palaces.
- Tamimt, meaning delight in the Berber tribal language, is the hotel’s all day dining venue, serving Mediterranean, Indian and international cuisines. Guests can choose to dine indoors with a view of the gourmet show kitchen or on the al fresco terrace with views of the gardens and grand canal. With a design inspired by a French brasserie, Tamimt has a bar and lounge for aperitifs or after dinner drinks. Daily breakfast (buffet + à la carte hot dishes) is also offered at Tamimt.
- Set along the resort’s main swimming pool, Azur serves light meals throughout the day, from crudos to salads and grilled meats, topped off with botanically inspired cocktails. This ambient restaurant has an outdoor seating area with views of the beautiful pool, while the indoor dining space is crowned with a sky blue dome and a Moroccan style chandelier.
- Vue is the hotel’s Maroccon interpretation of a lobby bar. With a candlelit interior, Chesterfield sofas, a glowing fireplace, wooden bar counters and antique mirrors, Vue has the ambience of a classic English bar. It is a lovely setting for a relaxed evening, an informal daytime meeting or a romantic evening with some live piano music.

The Oberoi Marrakech is managed by Oberoi, one of the world’s best luxury hotel groups. The Oberoi story wrote its early chapters in 1934 in Shimla where Mohan Singh Oberoi pioneered the idea of luxury hospitality in India by opening his first hotel. In the following years Oberoi – assisted by his two sons – continued the expansion of his group with properties both in India and abroad. Today, the group operates 35 hotels and cruise ships in six countries under the luxury ‘Oberoi’ and five-star ‘Trident’ brand. The group still practices the hospitality philosophy that began with Mr. Oberoi himself: The guest is everything. The Oberoi Group has been a pioneer in advancing the Indian hospitality industry. It employs the best environmental and ecological practices and supports philanthropic activities, such as vocational training for rural children and looking after the health and well-being in rural populations under Project Saksham.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

While The Oberoi Marrakech exudes the ambiance of a centuries-old Moorish palace, the hotel was built from scratch and opened in 2020 after a decade in the making and with no expense spared (local artisans provided all the intricate details by hand). But although everything is newly built, the hotel compound is nonetheless a veritable showpiece for the country’s traditional artisans and elaborate architectural styles of old. In fact, the result rivals even Marrakech’s most prestigious landmarks. For example, the hotel’s central courtyard is modeled after Medersa Ben Youssef (Marrakech’s most famous historic monument, built in the 14th century) but it’s twice as big as the original structure. However, if you are looking for a truly historic accommodation, you may probably prefer to stay in one of Marrakech’s hundreds of privately owned riads of all sizes and ages, including a few that date to the 17th century.

Contrary to some of its competitor hotels, such as the Royal Mansour and La Mamaounia, The Oberoi Marrakech is not located within the crumbling walls of Marrakech’s old city (known as the Medina). However, as already mentioned, the hotel does offer a complimentary shuttle to/from the old tow on fixed times, although the time schedule will not work for everyone (paid transfers and taxis are always possible of course). However, the advantage of the hotel’s location outside the city walls is that the heat, noise and chaos of Marrakech’s city center is replaced here by manicured citrus and olive tree groves, a remnant from the property’s past life as a farm. Also, what the hotel may be lacking a bit in terms of location is more than made up by its world-class, impeccable hospitality, which is brought to new heights when compared to its competitors.

MY VERDICT

Location: 8/10
Design: 10/10
Pool: 10/10
Rooms: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Breakfast: 8/10
Spa: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Wow factor: 10/10
Value for money: 9/10
Overall experience: exceptional 9.2/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Save money: get complimentary VIP perks when booking The Oberoi Marrakech via Virtuoso:
- Room upgrade
- Daily breakfast
- Early check-in
- Late check-out
- $100 USD food & beverage credit
- 50-minute massage for up to two people

Save money: read here my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like The Oberoi Marrakech (and/or receive many free perks).

Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

With its location in the nort-west of Morocco in Northern Africa, Marrakech has a hot and dry climate that lasts all year-round. The best time to visit Marrakech is in the spring and autumn months when temperatures are consistently pleasant without getting unbearably hot. May and September are the most ideal months to visit as rainfall tends to be lower than the other autumn and spring months. Cloud coverage is more common in winter, late autumn and early spring.

HOW TO GET THERE

The Oberoi Marrakech is a 25 minute drive from Marrakech’s International Airport. The latter is served by several major European, American, Middle Eastern and African airlines. Check the Wikipedia page of Marrakech Menara Airport for a continuously updated list of airlines that offer direct flights to Marrakech.

PHOTOS

Below is a selection of my photos of The Oberoi Marrakech. To view more photos (including breakfast and dinner at the different restaurants), click here.