I spent two nights at the recently-opened Park Hyatt Marrakech and loved the beautiful common areas, delicious food, and the excellent service at the hotel. The hotel’s location may present a challenge, though.
My First Impressions Of Park Hyatt Marrakech
After years of anticipation, the Park Hyatt Marrakech recently opened to guests. It is located in the Al Maaden complex technically within the city of Marrakech but about 15 minutes outside the Medina.
I call it a stunning oasis in the desert because you’re not central in Marrakech, which is a (potentially) significant downside to this property, depending upon what you want to accomplish. On the one hand, it’s nice to be off far away from the city. It’s quiet and you are less tempted to do “touristy” things. If you’re coming to this hotel and spending $500+ night, you do want to enjoy it and there is much to enjoy. There’s a golf course attached to the property, which is truly an oasis in a sun-parched region.
But do realize that Al Maaden is a new development outside the city center and the whole area is an unfinished project (not the hotel, but the homes and villas being constructed around it). It feels almost creepy as you are driving to the hotel because you spend five minutes driving down a road and looking left and right at unfinished projects.
The common areas of this hotel are gorgeous, with immensely high ceilings, beautiful stonework, and lovely seating.
My room was labeled a suite, but all one large room. Nevertheless, it was massive and featured a very comfortable bed, air conditioning that worked like a charm (it was nearly 50ºC outside), and a massive bathroom.
Staff were excellent here…and I particularly want to single out Reda in the TFAYA – Brasserie Arabesque restaurant. He was so kind and attentive.
Breakfast was unique and a treat each morning. Rather than a buffet or a la carte menu, I was brought out a set menu…and a massive menu…of food and drink. It’s not the way I’m accustomed to doing breakfast and I did end up eating a lot more than I normally would have, but it was an excellent combination of tastes and textures.
While the location was not a problem for me, the coffee was. Regular readers know I am anal with my coffee, and I’m sorry to report it appears that this hotel has signed an exclusive deal with Nespresso. While individual Nespresso machines are fine for guest rooms (and even appreciated), the restaurants and bars also feature these machines and the coffee (like throughout so much of the French-speaking world) was quite bad.
For example, this was my cappuccino:
So if you appreciate coffee, stick to French press or Arbaic coffee here.
The spa complex is massive and lovely, with an indoor pool, wellness area with steam, sauna, and hammam, and a large fitness center.
There are also two large outdoor pools.
I’ve got hundreds of additional pictures and will provide a lot more details on the food and beverage, spa, fitness, and service in my full review.
Oh yeah, and I was the only guest in the entire hotel my last day. Talk about personalized service!
The only guest? Seriously? Wow. While I might love that on a plane I’m thinking the creepy aspect you mention driving there would be more apropos. I’m not sure I want to be the only guest of a hotel.
This is a property I’m very intrigued by. I’m sure I’ll make it there soon enough, but it sounds like I don’t need to be in a rush. As for the coffee, it should always be good at a Park Hyatt, but oddly it isn’t. Park Hyatt Saigon as of this summer appeared to be Nespresso only as well, unless you ordered a Vietnamese coffee, which were superb. In that vein, I’m sure the mint tea at the PH Marrakech was excellent.
It was. I had several cups of it.
I still love coffee! 😉
Rates go up to $700+ per night this autumn…I find that kind of crazy. I thought the $500/night I paid was high enough for Morrocco.
I’m sure the target audience is Europeans seeking sun, and older Americans touring Morocco. 50C is too hot for them, so who knows. Maybe people will pay $700. I wouldn’t in Morocco!
With temperatures like that you didn’t even need a sauna.
Yes, indeed.
The glass windows in the indoor pool area made the whole area like a steam room as well…