Private riads, fine dining and glorious gardens—all within minutes of the Medina. Discover why Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is an enchanting winter-sun destination.
For Riviera residents seeking winter sun, Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is a refined retreat. Minutes from the Medina yet cocooned within 20 hectares of olive groves and gardens—perfumed by more than 100,000 roses—the resort comes into its own in winter, with views of the snow-topped Atlas peaks above the warm, dry valley.
Designed by the Parisian duo Gilles & Boissier, the property is full of Berber and Andalusian-Arabic influences: think dark woods, chiselled marble, tadelakt reliefs and light playing across still water.
Accommodation is exclusively villas and suites, conceived in the spirit of intimate riads for privacy-first living. Book the signature Mandarin Pool Villa and enjoy one or two bedrooms arranged around a private garden with its own pool, hot tub and alfresco shower. Interiors nod to Moroccan craft while outdoor kitchens invite the culinary team to cook privately on request.
If you can pull yourself away from your private sanctuary, take a dip in the picturesque main pool, play a round of golf at neighbouring Royal Golf or Al Maaden, or relax in the 1,800-m2 spa, a red-brick sanctuary with two lavish hammams and a heated indoor pool. Treatments pair the Mandarin Oriental Group’s signatures with Moroccan traditions focusing on black soap, kessa exfoliation, rose and argan for luxurious restoration.
Dining is a highlight here. At Shirvan, chef Akrame Benallal—whose Paris establishment boasts a Michelin star—maps a Silk Road of flavours; while at Ling Ling by Hakkasan, Cantonese sharing plates and a DJ-curated soundtrack set a Riviera-style tempo.
Head to The Tent for sunset apéritifs or for a relaxed leisurely lunch choose Pool Garden with its Med-leaning menu fed by the resort’s potager that boasts 90 tomato varieties. In-villa dining can be organised for a private evening under the stars while for families, the Kids’ Kasbah turns culture into play with pottery, Berber weaving and garden-to-table lessons, giving adults time to unwind.
What makes this a standout wintersun escape is its combination of privacy and proximity. You have space to spread out—your own pool, your own courtyard— yet the colour and sound of the old city are close when you want them. Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech offers you the best of the season in one place: design rooted in Morocco with generous outdoor living and excellent service that make a short break feel like a proper reset.
