The nights are drawing in and you’re craving a dose of vitamin D. Where better to beat winter’s chill than Morocco, with its year-round clear skies and balmy temperatures? With its mesmerising gardens and sumptuous pool-suites, here’s why Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is the perfect oasis in the city. Sunshine and relaxation guaranteed… 

Scents of place 

Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is a short drive from the airport and less than ten minutes from the maze-like souks of the Medina and yet… you’ll feel a world away. The hotel sits in 20 hectares of olive groves and gardens, where the scent of orange trees and 100,000 roses infuses the air, and the Atlas Mountains shimmer in the distance. Palm-fringed walkways fan out from the central pool, leading guests from their villas to the restaurants and the spa. The grounds are even more bewitching as dusk falls and lanterns are lit, with the mosque’s melodic call to prayer the only reminder of the proximity of the Red City. 

Suite spot

This is a seven-suite, 58-villa hotel, all of them rocking a kasbah aesthetic. Behind the sandy-pink stonework and carved wooden doors, interiors combine Berber and Arab-Andalusian influences – think tadelakt walls, embroidered cushions and flat-weave rugs – with a sprinkling of Asian glamour. The villas, which range from one to four bedrooms, have marble bathrooms and outdoor lounge areas with tumbling bougainvillaea and private pools. Think of them as elegant riads, but with Frette linens and Diptyque amenities. Meanwhile, the sprawling eight-bedroom penthouse (yes, eight) is an oasis of luxury and seclusion.

Spice up your life 

The dining scene at Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech has a dual personality. By day, it’s all about long, languid lunches in the Pool Garden Restaurant, where crisp salads and grilled lobster are the order of the day. As the sun sets, the tempo rises. Pre-dinner cocktails, inspired by the diverse regions of Morocco and paired with exquisite tapas, are de rigueur. At Shirvan, overseen by Michelin-starred chef Akrame Benallal, delicately spiced sharing menus take inspiration from the Silk Road; while Ling Ling by Hakkasan is frequented by those who prefer to sip Champagne and feast on Cantonese small plates. In-villa dining is available 24-7, with chefs organising a barbecue or traditional Moroccan dinner on the terrace. 

At your service

The discreet, nothing-is-too-much-trouble service has seen Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech win many an award. Each villa has its own butler, available at the touch of a WhatsApp. Bicycles delivered to your door? No problem. Morning coffee in bed or a fire lit after dinner? Can do. Little wonder the hotel is a popular choice for those with something to celebrate (indeed, Idris and Sabrina Elba held their wedding lunch here). After all, does it get any more romantic than a Moroccan banquet with the mountains as your backdrop? The hotel can accommodate up to 1,000 guests, so you better start working on your invite list. 

Haven sent

It wouldn’t be Mandarin Oriental without a serene spa, and you won’t be disappointed here. Treatments blend Asian and Moroccan wellness traditions, including rose body wraps, warm scrubs and argan oil massages. Though if you want a science-backed anti-ageing facial or one of the brand’s signature rituals, those are on the menu, too. There’s also an indoor lap pool, marble hammams, a beauty salon and a state-of-the-art gym. If you’re an early riser, take a private yoga class in the fragrant garden or complete a circuit of the jogging trail. Into golf? Tee off on one of the trio of neighbouring golf courses – there are buggies to whizz you there and back. 

Child’s play

The Kid’s Kasbah club is designed to introduce four to 12-year-olds to Moroccan culture. One day your little ones could be Berber carpet weaving or learning Arabic calligraphy, the next they might be meeting cute animals or cooking freshly picked organic vegetables with the chef. Young and old should make time to pop into the new M.O STUDIO, which hosts exhibitions by local and internationally acclaimed artists. Looking to explore the Medina? Speak to the concierge and they’ll tailor a tour, whether that’s exploring the colourful souks or marvelling at the Musée Yves Saint Laurent and the Jardin Majorelle. Just make sure you’re back in time for movie night beneath the stars. 

All holidays with British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected and include a generous baggage allowance per person and a 24-hour holiday helpline. Secure your winter sun holiday now at Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech with a low deposit and enjoy flexible payments until you fly.*

*Full balance due seven weeks before departure for long-haul holidays. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply. See ba.com/deposits.

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