LWSY Marrakech Part Three > Outdoor Interest at the Four Seasons Hotel

Just a 15 minute drive from Marrakech Menara airport, it couldn’t be easier to arrive at the Four Seasons resort. I had already been in town for a few days, staying at a couple of traditional riads, and now it was time to experience the Four Seasons way of life here in Marrakech. Arriving through the grandest sweeping drive in the smallest local taxi from La Sultana, our entrance was rather comical compared to our surroundings. Our luggage disappeared onto a golf buggy and a tray with cooling towels allowed us a moment to just exhale and get into the Four Seasons state of mind.

Checking in is a whole different ball game in holiday resorts, as we were whisked to the giant sofas for the standard passport handover, we were presented with the traditional Moroccoan mint tea offering (the best yet we noted). Excited to connect all the dots after seeing so many pictures of the hotel, we were promptly directed to our golf buggy to be taken to our home for the night. Amused that we couldn’t walk there, how far were we going in this golf buggy!?

We were whisked from the entrance through the palm trees and lush gardens, past the family pool and spa, winding through the residences to arrive at our Pavillion Suite, Number 80. An elegant double bedroom suite with connecting inner doors, with 2 private terraces and a plunge pool, and garden access to the main pool, with a resort view.

The resort was designed by GA Design (same designers as St Pancras & Corinthia in London, W Taipei, St Regis & Park Hyatt Resorts). Experts in hospitality design, they certainly have a particular style. The design aesthetic here I understand was inspired by the nearby Medina. The main buildings evoke a Moorish palace surrounded by the guest pavilions, and the guest bedrooms are reached via arcades, stairways and courtyards, similar in design to traditional riads although on a more contemporary level.

The Architects, first stage concepts by Hill Glazier, and continued by Didier Lefort Architectes have created a vast property spanning over 40 acres. With 141 rooms, 114 guest rooms and 27 suites, and a world class spa designed by Blu Spa, you can experience the traditional Hamman experience as well as everything else you would expect from a Four Seasons Spa. More on the spa in a little bit though. LWSY tried and tested.

There are more than enough dining options in the resort, so much so you could stay here for a weeks holiday and just not leave. With different locations for breakfast, lunch (poolside perhaps?) dinner and cocktails you’re really never short of places to enjoy. For now though, back to my stay…

Welcome to Pavilion 80, just a modest home for the night don’t you think…

A cool and contemporary interior for a very hot climate. Air con saves the day in a place like Marrakech. After being walked through our new home, and in usual LWSY style of turning all the furniture over in an ever curious fashion to see who made what (a habit that will never fade) I was ready for some downtime. I would have hoped for some more local craftsmanship in the rooms but we are in a Four Seasons and GA Designs do have a very solid house style. One which I shall never knock by the way. The furniture was immaculate, every surface was gleaming, not a pulled thread or chipped furniture leg in sight. A blend of contemporary design with some Moroccan furnishings, GA Designs’ soft natural colour palette are in keeping with the surrounding landscaping.

One point I continue to notice on my travels, our coffee was complimentary, but I do still fail to understand how a diet coke or tin of pringles are chargeable in a hotel room of such value. A free soft bar goes a long way nowadays, as does free wifi which of course, the Four Seasons had, and at great speed. Oh to not be in a riad tonight with those meter thick walls! The elegant lights below are by……..yes you guessed it, good old Porta Romana. I’ll spare you the other details (message me if you do want to know though). The rooms are charming, the king-sized bed was the best we’d slept in throughout our 7 nights in Marrakech. The marble bathrooms were huge, double sinks, the deepest tub I have seen since the Standard NY, and our terrace was the absolute cherry on top despite the elegance of the quiet pool, it’s always such a luxury to have some private outdoor space.

Pool time, a completely hidden private dipping pool, how heavenly.

The perfect reading nook in the mid day heat…

Institut Esthederm keeping my skin protected throughout the week (thank you Kilpatrick PR!)

Our private terrace, behind the wall in front is the second bedroom terrace.

The 40m quiet pool is the centre piece of the hotel, secluded and restful this is the perfect spot for an afternoon of snoozing with a few laps thrown in to keep you cool.

After a few laps late afternoon I took myself off for a walk around the resort, through the gardens  to find the family pool, spa and restaurants. I came across the most beautiful metal sculptures. Scattered throughout the gardens are these delicate figures below. Artist Dawn Boys-Stones, a Londoner turned Marrakech resident has created this series, ‘The Unpredictable Beauty of Life’ which are for sale. If you can find a resort map you can walk your way around the hotel in search of these 30 or so figures ranging from 500€-7,500€.

The family pool early evening

Back to my room to enjoy the huge bath, and get ready for dinner at Arancino at Bleu d’Orange.

As the sun set, the hotel comes into a different light in the evenings. Each path way lit by these beautiful lanterns. With a choice of indoor or outdoor seating (of course we sat on the terrace) tonight we were off the tagines, it was time to try the hotels Italian restaurant. Very beautiful it was too.

We enjoyed a traditional menu of Burrata, Lobster Spaghetti and Tiramisu. The Italian restaurant manager Federico took excellent care of us and ensured with didn’t leave until we were at least 80% full of limoncello. A wonderful man, thank you Federico for a most memorable evening.

A late night stroll after dinner allowed me to see the beautiful hotel bar, and the living rooms bathed in the night light.

Bedtime….

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Good morning Marrakech…

Time for breakfast, a buffet affair, and an opportunity to try the Moroccan pancakes again (they were becoming a daily ritual) and the fruit plate, oh and the teeny tiny pastries that are surely for tea time not breakfast? Oh well we are on holiday…

The terrace above the restaurant, accessed also by the main entrance when you come to check in…

Hopping on for a quick ride back to our Pavillion to catch up on some emails and remembering where I have to go next!

Then, a morning in the spa…

Again, allow me to reiterate the seriousness of this bed. The widest, deepest, fluffiest bed in all of Marrakech. Fact.

Le Spa, and really a very special place. Dedicated to the well-being of mind, body and spirit, I was pretty relaxed and soothed after my few days in Marrakech, but my spa experience took me into a whole new level of relaxation. Marrakech means, ‘The land of God’ and at Le Spa, the ethos is to give thanks for the land of the bountiful gifts of herbs, plants and minerals found amongst the Atlas mountains and surrounding areas. Scents of rose, orange, eucalyptus wafted through the entrance, argan oil and ghassoul clay of course two key ingredients used here, all offering health benefits, bringing us into our requested states of invigoration, relaxation and comfort.

I was treated to a Signature Massage, a fusion of Middle Eastern and Western techniques which involved stretching, and pressure point manipulation with a foot scrub treatment on the private terrace attached to my treatment room. For around £110 I was pulled and pummelled for an hour and a half and it was pure heaven.

Following my treatment I enjoyed the walled herb garden with dipping pool whilst my therapist picked some fresh mint for a cup of tea to end my treatment in the relaxation room. Absolute bliss.

A heavenly way to end my 24 hours at the Four Seasons Marrakech.

#GlobeTrotterTravels

My stay was courtesy of the Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech. With special thanks to Nick Yarnell, Charles Lasvigne, Verena Lasvigne-Fox, Nidal Chaouki, and Federico Colombo. Thanks also to Kilpatrick PR, Damson PR, Raneiri Comms, Smythson & Globetrotter.

You can follow the Four Seasons on Instagram here and Twitter here.

#LWSYMarrakech