Having been to Marrakech before and enjoying both the delights of the Medina area (a short walk from staying at the majestic Royal Mansour) as well as the Atlas Mountains (and the spectacular Richard Branson property, Kasbah Tamadot) on this trip we wanted to try something different. First off we stayed right in the heart of the Medina in a traditional (but so wonderfully restored and renovated) riad hotel (L’Hotel Marrakech) before a short hop to Fez and then back to Marrakech for more of an ‘out of town’ experience.
Choosing The Oberoi Marrakech was based on a combination of great reviews and also prior experience of the Oberoi chain from both hotels in India, and more recently Mauritius, but also from many, many years ago during my first ever trip to Egypt and a cruise down the Nile on their luxury Oberoi Philae Nile Cruiser. The resort has a choice of rooms and suites in the main hotel building, or individual villas all with private pools and gardens throughout the resort. We opted for one of the private villas and this did not disappoint in any way.
As well as there being the on-site spa with a large gymnasium and separate yoga studio, traditional Hammam, and indoor swimming pool; there is also an incredible outdoor pool in different sections adjacent to one of the many restaurants. There are two bars and three restaurants (including the newly reimagined Rivayat for Indian fine-dining), and for something a bit different, the hotel can organise private dining in varying locations throughout the resort grounds (olive groves and citrus orchards, with herb and succulent gardens), but I think we had the best option, on the Grand Canal.
The aptly named Grand Canal runs the length of the gardens in front of the main building, which in turn faces the Atlas Mountain range which can be seen from the hotel, framed like a picture, on clear days. For someone who normally organises travel and events to the nth degree, on the personal invite of the Hotel Manager, Rohan Ogale who was an absolute star during our stay, we suggested dinner at 7pm on one evening and beyond that we had no further planning to do whatsoever. I think this is partly what made the evening so special, that such intricate details in terms of food and drink preferences had been taken into account from during our stay.
As we would sometimes do, we went to the suitably named Vue Bar and its outside terrace for a drink before dinner, still (at this moment) being unsure where our private dining experience would take place. We could see that an extra platform had been added across the water of the Grand Canal, as well as two red dining chairs and a table. It was only as the sun began to set and it was almost our appointed dinner time, did we venture down that way indeed hoping this spectacular creation was for us.
Indeed it was, as we got near we were greeted by our personal butler, Mustafa, who had also offered to unpack for us on arrival. We were escorted to our private table on the platform, decked in a red carpet and adorned with two large frames of candlelight, as well as all the lit lanterns spaced down the canal itself and outlining our dining location for the evening. The table was so beautifully set out, with fresh flowers and champagne chilling on ice, mood music and a freestanding patio heater for warmth once the evening chill began to set in.
It was such a magical evening, from all bases including the wonderful service from Mustafa (and ably assisted by the rest of the team who could make this happen) where our food would arrive from the main restaurant kitchen in a buggy and the appearance of the charming, charismatic, but humble Executive Chef (Cédric D’ Ambrosio) on one of the many food runs just to check that everything was to our liking. It so was, absolutely every dietary requirement and preference has been taken into account, and such a nice surprise to be presented with dishes that we would have chosen ourselves, without actually having to choose.
We heard afterwards that many proposals have been made in that dining set up, and if the hotel staff know it’s coming, they often keep a very subtle eye out on proceedings to see whether the proposal has been accepted. I can fully understand why this is a setting for any sort of landmark proposal – I can’t explain how magical our whole stay was, and this private dining opportunity was just the icing on the proverbial cake. A wonderful resort in a stunning location, and all credit to the Manager Rohan of The Oberoi Marrakech, and the whole team who made our stay such a dream.