Originally Posted by
scented
Anyone aware what went down at Palais Namaskar? Apparently the developer and owner of the property, Philippe Soulier, sold it last year and the new owner terminated the management contract with Oetker collection. From what I gather, throughout this transitional period reservations were not honored and people were stranded in the airport, looking for alternative accommodation. Then, later, reports emerged that all employees went on strike, so they threw out all guests while employees gathered in front of the hotel. Sigh! I was never a fan of this property, mostly for their ridiculous design choices and clubby vibe. New owner seems to have assigned a new GM with not much luxury experience to speak of and standards throughout the resort are suffering more than ever before. Property states redecorating took place, but I don't know what that includes. Must have been some major works if they want to rescue the place... I'd get rid of the chandeliers, rip out the velvet curtains, new carpets, less curtains, fire the DJ, less curtains... did I mention less curtains? I actually believe the loss of Namaskar is good for Oetker, as it was not in line with the rest of their hotels. Or maybe they could have kept it and bought Royal Monceau from Qatar, so they'd have two hotels and could start a diffusion line of hotels that Philippe Starck butchered.
It is no secret that the market in Marrakech is a nightmare, which explains that Namaskar was highly unprofitable. The pool passes many hotels now offer are just the latest mislead course of action to increase revenue. Many hotels struggling at the moment. Amanjena survives through its financially sound ownership and buyout after buyout, Park Hyatt project stopped completely and Prince Al-Waleed was looking to sell FS for a very long time -- curious now how they are doing under visionary leadership of ex-Aman Blaise Montandon. Will visit soon. MO seems to be working just fine, thanks to its visionary blueprint, great F&B concepts and also the novelty factor. But I wonder how MO will do in a couple of years, many parts of the hotel could be anywhere.
I heard the same story about Palais Namaskar. I actually liked it when it first opened, under GM Frédéric Picard - he did a very good job. I also liked the intimacy of the place, but I agree about the curtains! The original owner, who designed the place, started off with just 12 suites, then added more later on. The property was designed along Feng Shui lines. The problem with adding more suites was that there was just one restaurant and a roof-top bar, which only worked in the warmer months. Given its distance from the centre, Namaskar really needed a second F&B outlet.
There are far too many hotels in Marrakech, so I wonder where Oberoi will get its guests from. MO is great right now, and I hope that, unlike many MO properties, this will not decline, but MO's track record is not good in this respect.
Royal Mansour is a lovely museum showcasing the region's artisan skills, but for me, it does not work as a hotel - the riads' tiny rooms spiralling upwards on several floors, with very steep steps. Attitudes, too, are way too snobby for my liking.
After its Garcia refurb, La Mamounia is better than it was in the 1980s, and I still love the gardens, but I'm not sure it has kept pace with what the luxury market wants these days. Given the intimacy of some of the other Marrakech properties, Mamounia is very Grande Dame in style and service and even if you do stay in one of the better suites, you do not feel that special compared to, say, Amanjena.
I would rather stay around the corner at Villa des Orangers - for me, the best riad in town. Lovely staff and a truly authentic yet comfortable experience.
I agree about Four Seasons. My only niggle last time was the food, which was not great. Hopefully Blaise will fix this (if the owner allows him to!).