Originally Posted by
scented
In fact, amazing! Here are some details:
Four Seasons was as good as ever... it was as though we'd return to family, really warm welcome and the team was buzzing to be back open again. As with all resorts in Marrakech, Capex has been postponed until the situation improves. FS is lucky to have some business from Casablanca, although it means lower ADR and not the usual guest profile, but certainly welcome as they can operate for the time being. For next year, hopefully the renovation can take place, which would be amazing. The team really deserves a great stage and especially the Villas and Pavilions would look amazing with a little refresh. Towards the end of our stay, they reopened the family pool, they are also working on maintenance in many areas of the resort. But most importantly, service is better than ever before and the gardens just keep getting better. Also met the new GM and great to have him onboard, but note that their HM has done wonders for this resort and continues to do so. Their Spa is leagues ahead of Jena (also due to the fact that they in fact have a proper Spa) and hopefully the new owners will give them the new Hamam they hope to have.
Speaking of Amanjena, now with Astrid very much in charge you can just imagine the service and warmth there! Nicolas has left her a terrific resort and she continues to build on this legacy. There is a new Executive Chef from Italy, Dario, who is ex Aman Venice... now following for Lorenzo, who left a while ago already. Astrid is as present as ever and hopefully she will now be able to move ahead with the Spa and Residences development, although knowing Morocco and the current situation, no doubt it will be a while before there is a proper gym and Spa in place. They haven't broken ground yet, which invariably means we are years away from opening. Other than that, no changes necessary... not much to wish for in the Ed Tuttle designed surroundings... pools are beautifully heated during shoulder and winter season and activities are plentiful.
Oberoi was still closed when I was there, but I was able to tour nevertheless. Oh the craftsmanship, the details and views... if they get the service right, this will be rather special. They are a little short on staff still, even before COVID, but slowly slowly they'll get there. The product is really special and something Marrakech did not have before. Much more authentic than MO for example. Their Deluxe Villas did not really inspire me as views are limited and the are a little on the smaller side, but their Presidential Villas are wonderful. Nothing really compares to their Royal Suite, which not only commands endless views over the resort towards the Atlas Mountain, but is also centrally positioned. Note that both Presidential Villas and their Royal Suite are quite reasonably priced, at least for now. I was very surprised.
La Mamounia's renovation kept the spirit of this institution, but upgraded rooms and F&B outlets. They were busy, at least for the opening period and most restaurants were hard to get into! I did not find the renovation to be en par with renovations of other grand dames... do not expect to see something like Raffles Singapore. They added where necessary and kept where sensible. Service is the same, with a huge team of 800-something staff spread around the property... it is different to FS and other hotels, obviously different to the warmth of FS and Jena, it borders cold white glove service and has too many protocols. If you loved the hotel before, you will now love it even more... if you were unsure, then I am afraid not much will have changed. Except for F&B, which is really good. I am still dreaming of their Pierre Hermé rose ice cream.... they have a full-time Pierre Hermé team from Paris there and are training to ensure everything is up to Parisian standards. Very impressive. Somehow I could not really warm up to it, but then again I am not their typical guest. The renovation is far from finished, on opening night they were still carrying out full blown and loud works around the new restaurant by their pool. The pool is rather uninspiring. A huge press event will be held in November.
Did not make it to MO this time, but Marcel Thoma is there!
In general, Marrakech feels safe. Avoid crowded spaces, but the resorts are fine and everyone is respecting the new health measures. Temperature screening everywhere and Jena is able to provide in-suite PCR testing for your onwards arrangements or just peace of mind. The only challenge are travel considerations, as it is really hard to get in and out of the country. Flights are getting cancelled 24 hours in advance, etc.