Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech

Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech, a Michelin Key Selected property, is widely celebrated as a luxurious oasis offering an exceptional and deeply personalized experience in the vibrant city of Marrakech.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is overwhelmingly positive, with guests consistently praising its elegance, tranquility, and high standards of service. It consistently receives exceptional ratings for cleanliness, spaciousness, and the relaxing atmosphere it provides. While overwhelmingly positive, a few guests have noted minor issues with certain facilities and the perceived value for money of some restaurant offerings and pool temperatures.

2. Key Highlights

Guests are particularly enamored with the hotel's exceptional service, immaculate cleanliness, and the spacious, well-appointed accommodations. The elegant and relaxing atmosphere, combined with stunning grounds featuring rose gardens, olive groves, and reflective pools, is frequently highlighted. The spa is a significant draw, recognized as the "World's Best Resort Spa" and "Best Spa in Africa" in 2024, offering extensive treatments and facilities including a hammam and indoor pool. The private villas, each with their own pool and jacuzzi, are also a major highlight, offering a secluded and indulgent retreat. The ability of the staff to remember guests by name and provide thoughtful, personalized touches is consistently mentioned as a standout feature.

3. Room Quality

The accommodations at Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech primarily consist of 58 private villas and 7 suites, designed in a beautiful Berber-Arabic style. Villas are notably spacious, ranging from 3000 to 4500 square feet, and come with private swimming pools and hot tubs. Suites feature rooftop plunge pools. Rooms are described as immaculately clean, combining modern comforts with traditional Moroccan materials and crafts. Guests often praise the comfort of the beds, finding them "just right." Bathrooms are particularly impressive, featuring huge bathtubs, steam room showers with double heads, twin vanities, and Diptyque products in refillable bottles. Technology is well-integrated, including great lighting systems, electric curtains, Bose sound systems, and Apple TV. Some older feedback noted minor wear and tear and design quirks such as subtle steps and challenging-to-read light switches.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers several distinct dining options. Breakfast, served at Shirvan, is consistently lauded as excellent, featuring a substantial buffet and à la carte choices. Ling Ling by Hakkasan is highly recommended for its delicious Cantonese cuisine, including dim sum, fresh salads, and exquisite cocktails. The poolside restaurant provides a more casual setting for lunch. While Moroccan dining is available, some guests have expressed disappointment with the second restaurant, Srivan, citing issues like fatty lamb and cold food. Alcoholic beverages are available but can be notably more expensive than expected.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is a recurring highlight, frequently described as exceptional, brilliant, and going "above and beyond." Staff members are praised for being friendly, attentive, gracious, unassuming, and professional. Housekeeping is particularly noted for keeping villas immaculate. Guests appreciate the thoughtful touches, such as staff remembering their names and daily provisions of fresh fruit, cold water, mint lemonade, and treats. While generally outstanding, very occasional minor service hiccups, such as forgotten food orders or longer wait times at the poolside restaurant, have been reported.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is situated on 20 hectares, offering expansive views of the Atlas Mountains, creating a serene and picturesque setting. It is conveniently located approximately 10 to 15 minutes' drive from the bustling Jemaa El Fna square and about 15 minutes from Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK). The resort's location provides a tranquil escape from the city, yet offers easy access to attractions via a shuttle service. Despite its peaceful environment, some guests have noted the occasional sound of planes taking off due to its proximity to the airport.

7. Value & Pricing

Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is positioned as a luxury property, and its pricing reflects this. Suites start from approximately €1,300 per night, with villas averaging around $1,700 USD per night, depending on the season. Most guests feel that the hotel "absolutely earns the cost of a stay," especially for the villa experience, which offers the privacy and amenities of a private holiday home with the added benefits of hotel service. However, some reviews suggest that the value for money can be a point of contention specifically regarding the cost and quality of certain restaurant offerings.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Pool Temperature: Several guests have mentioned that the main pool can be cold.
• Dining Value: The value for price, particularly concerning the offerings and quality at some restaurants (like Srivan), has been a point of critique for some.
• Minor Service Hiccups: Isolated incidents of slow service at the poolside restaurant, forgotten food orders, or issues with hotel-arranged airport fast-track services have been noted.
• Design Quirks (older reviews): Earlier reviews (from 2016) highlighted minor wear and tear, and some design choices like subtle, almost invisible steps and hard-to-read light switches.
• Noise: A few guests have mentioned a "cacophonous/atonal" mix of different music styles playing simultaneously on the main communal grounds at night.

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