Fairmont Royal Palm review: Is this Marrakech’s most decadent hotel?

Away from the hustle and bustle of the Moroccan capital’s souks lies an oasis of luxury

(Fairmont)

In my uneducated opinion, one of the main challenges when opening a high-end hotel on the outskirts of a city with so much charm, vibrancy, history and culture as Marrakech, is to capture all of that while simultaneously providing the highest degree of modern comfort, style and – ideally – a sprinkling of decadence.

The Fairmont Royal Palm, half an hour drive south of the city centre, masters just that with aplomb.

Located in the middle of a sprawling, luscious golf course, this four-year-old five-star resort, which was taken over by the Fairmont group in May 2017, offers an authentic Moroccan holiday in the lap of luxury.

If you’re looking for somewhere gritty and down to earth that’s a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech’s market mayhem and nightlife, then strike this place off your list. But if you’re pining for a retreat, romantic getaway or a weekend of pampering and indulgence away from the thick of it, this might just be your top pick.

While not a venue for everyone’s budget, what the Fairmont Royal Palm lacks in affordability it makes up for in comfort and design. Reception staff manage to balance meticulous attentiveness with an ability not to come on too strong. The communal areas, restaurants and bars have a polished feel with luxury touches – from the sinks in the reception area to the handbag stand that was wordlessly offered to me when I sat down for a late lunch of chicken tagine on the sun-drenched terrace.

Rooms are cool and spacious (Fairmont)

The interiors of the rooms and main building pay homage to the bustling souks, fragrant spices, vibrant colours and unique tastes that define this awe-inspiring country. Towering ceilings, adorned with lamps, lanterns and tapestries, and large couches scattered with cushions, manage to create a sense of cosiness and warmth amid the grandeur of the place. Water features help to bring the richness of Morocco’s nature indoors – even on a chilly evening in mid January.

There are 134 rooms, suites, penthouses and villas are spread across the estate, all boasting marble-topped bathrooms, sumptuous beds, flatscreen TVs and much more storage and space than you would find in even a high-end London apartment. Many rooms have views over the grassy surroundings with the magnificent Atlas mountains in the background, snow-capped for part of the year. My suite – the second most basic room type at the Royal Palm – would have satisfied even the pickiest of travellers.

Fresh fruit and Moroccan delicacies greeted me upon my arrival, paired with a decent selection of complimentary teas and coffees, and a mini bar stacked with cold drinks. The bathroom boasted a huge shower and connecting walk-in wardrobe, with built-in safe, plenty of hanging space, a dressing table and two sinks flanked with soaps, lotions, shampoos, conditioners and vanity kits. But the piece de resistance was a giant, square bath, filled by an artfully designed waterfall-style tap.

Three restaurants serve a vast and creative range of dishes (Fairmont)

Back in the main building, three restaurants serve a range of dishes, from authentic Moroccan fare to European cuisine. The breakfast spread – complimentary each morning for hotel guests – is vast and creative, offering everything from Moroccan soup – a speciality – and fresh fruit salads to cold cuts, crudités, blueberry muffins, cereals, different types of bread and expertly prepared eggs.

It’s worth noting that the restaurants are child-friendly, so if a winy infant on the next table is your idea of a ruined dinner, beware. During the low-season, early diners might also find themselves with little company at the Royal Palm’s restaurants, as the hotel’s distance from the city means that its eateries are not an obvious choices for non-guests – but after 8.30pm they tend to fill up, creating a pleasant and lively buzz.

It being low season, the service at times was admittedly a little slow. We had to wait a good 10 minutes to be seated for dinner on our first night, despite making a booking. In the morning, it took several requests for my partner to get his English breakfast tea, and my Moroccan tea was toothachingly sweet although I specified that I would like it with no sugar. Staff were apologetic though, and in such a relaxing atmosphere it's hard to get worked up about something comparatively trivial.

Beyond the restaurants and rooms, the Royal Palm’s spa and gym facilities mean that it couldn’t be easier to relax and escape from the real world within the confines of the estate. The gym, spread across two floors, features an extensive cardio area, two weights rooms, a squash court, boxing corner, table tennis table, outdoor pool, lounge area and tennis courts. Hand towels and chilled water are provided for anyone keen to stay in shape.

A short walk away, the Clarins spa offers a smorgasbord of treatments, from basic manicures and waxes to traditional hammams. A large indoor pool, sauna and steam room can be used by all guests, even those not booked in for treatments.

An extensive spa is free for guests to use (Fairmont)

One downside was the complimentary wifi, which in most areas proved temperamental; perhaps consider turning a weekend at the Royal Palm into a digital detox. Overall, however, the hotel impressed with its attention to detail, charm, luxurious facilities and all round elegance. The perfect place to celebrate a special occasion.

Travel essentials

Deluxe room during high season from MAD3,300 (£260), B&B.

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