In the serene and quiet desert just outside of the famous medina and central Marrakech, Park Hyatt Marrakech offers a luxurious escape. More like a desert oasis, this sprawling resort has three pools, decadent dining and the well-known hospitality for which the top-tier Park Hyatt brand is famous. These are the top five reasons that a stay here is worth it.
The design
The resort features numerous low-rise buildings holding rooms and suites with separate main buildings housing reception and the restaurant. Tree-lined sidewalks interconnect them and make for a pleasant walk to discover the surrounding area. The way the sun’s shadows dance across the buildings and landscape creates the perfect opportunity for snapping artistic photos. All of this is within a gated complex that is part of the highly respected Al Maaden Golf Resort.
Don’t miss a visit to the resort’s impressive garden that grows all kinds of fruits, vegetables and herbs. It’s more than succulent lettuce and tomatoes for salads. You’ll also see huge corn stalks, mint bushes where leaves are plucked right before brewing fresh Moroccan tea and vibrant lemons all in one space.
Magnificent archways in the main building lead you through a maze of walkways as you discover different restaurants and small sitting nooks. Moroccan art and design books cover most lounge tables, and the candlelit evening light casts a seductive glow across the entire place. If this is not your first visit to town, you would not be alone if you chose to spend your entire visit in this lush palace away from the crowds.
The pools
Let’s start with the obvious. An oasis in the desert is surrounded by palm trees and refreshing swimming pools. When the weather outside is scorching a dip in these pools is a treat. And when temperatures lower a bit later in the year, they become a lovely way to round out a day of exploring souks and the Atlas Mountains.
The main pool has an infinity edge with water spilling off the side as if it were irrigating the whole desert. Plush lounge chairs line both sides, and the doting staff sets them up with towels, chilled buckets of water and umbrellas. Every so often, the staff comes around with trays filled with treats like ice cream or sliced fruit. A second pool, reserved for adults, meanders in its own private garden with lots of coves where guests can sit in the shade or sun or linger in shallow water.
At the spa, a luxurious indoor pool is great for lap swimming or taking a dip before or after a treatment without needing to apply sunscreen.
The health club and spa is enormous and complete with a long roster of massage, beauty and workout experiences. There are three separate gym spaces, including a well-equipped cardio area, weight lifting and boxing equipment, and a separate room for fitness classes. Local membership to the facilities affirms the high quality here. It is also possible to book a day pass to use the health club and pool amenities although the hotel limits the number available per day.
The rooms
Moroccan design details continue in the rooms, which are all in individual riad-like buildings that have their own central courtyards with local art pieces. Elegant fabrics pair beautifully with the tiled floors and attractive accent pieces. Plush beds are wrapped in fine linens and duvets.
Behind bespoke cabinet doors, there is an espresso machine, tea facilities and a minibar with complimentary refreshments, including Moroccan cookies, soda and water.
Attention to detail is nothing new for Park Hyatt, and this recently opened hotel follows through. Power outlets of every kind are available on either side of the bed and at the dining table (that doubles as a desk if you can move aside the delicious array of dried fruits and Arabic sweets left for arrivals).
Bathrooms stock Le Labo toiletries in large pump bottles and feature separate soaking tubs with bath salts and massive glass rainfall showers. Dual vanities also feature makeup counters with a flip-up mirror and jewelry storage spaces. The Japanese toilets are another nice surprise.
Outdoor terraces add plush day beds and a place to enjoy the peaceful grounds away from the brisk indoor air conditioning.
The cuisine
If you choose to make this your home base in Marrakech, you will not go hungry here. For starters, the poolside menus include all kinds of burgers, salads and sandwiches to appeal to every taste. And the Living Room menu has a distinct Nikkei twist for its menu, combining Peruvian and Asian flavors together. It has everything from curries to sushi and all kinds of Latin recipes, too.
Be sure to come by when the sun sets because this Art Deco lounge serves a wide range of wine (including numerous Moroccan labels) and cocktails. The ambiance alone is worth stopping in for a tipple.
Many guests choose to dine on the terrace, especially in the evening when it gets cooler. The gentle breeze, sound of the pool water splashing over the infinity edge fountains and Moroccan background music create a magical atmosphere.
Tfaya is where a decadent breakfast spread awaits each morning. The buffet features fresh berries and fruit, beautiful salads, Arabic spreads like labneh, hummus and muhammara, all kinds of cheeses, olives and nuts, dried fruit prepared onsite, and hot egg and veggie options.
A chef prepares eggs and crepes on the spot. A separate a la carte menu adds more than a dozen options to the already abundant buffet. My favorites were the Moroccan breakfast dishes. They include harsha (a semolina pastry eaten with butter or jam), harira soup or baghrir (a type of Moroccan pancake). Sunday brunch here is a local favorite.
All of this comes with the most warm and hospitable service (no surprise for Morocco). Each morning when ordering mint tea, the server would head for the garden to pluck the leaves fresh before preparing it.
For dinner, Tfaya transforms into a lavish Moroccan feast where the menu draws outsiders, too. The general manager swears by the incredible Moroccan rack of lamb, and my Moroccan-style mezze was a visual and tasty treat. Recently launched during my visit was a huge vegetarian and vegan menu that offered non-meat versions of well-known local cuisine.
The service
From the moment you arrive through the dramatic arches of the reception building, it becomes instantly clear that Park Hyatt standards are at their highest. Name recognition is on point. The lobby’s marble floors are always polished perfectly (difficult in an arid and sandy climate).
By the pool, you won’t wait more than a minute for someone to take your order. The housekeeping team is so inconspicuous, you’ll wonder where they are. Yet your room is always clean when you return. In the evening, the lights are dimmed with little treats at turndown service.
In the spa, there are complimentary activities for guests like different workout and yoga classes each day of the week. As you are walked to your room after check-in, the staff is eager to point out all of the different amenities. This includes the activities available for everyone at the health club. No matter what you choose to do here, you can expect traditional Moroccan friendliness with Park Hyatt touches.
