Royal Mansour Marrakesh: world’s most luxurious hotel! 5-star Morocco riad, Michelin restaurant.
Come aboard my magic carpet, and fly with me through a Moroccan fantasy hotel: Royal Mansour Marrakesh!
My film team and I have been invited to stay at many wonderful places, but Royal Mansour was unlike anything we’d experienced. If you’re a dreamer like I am, inspired by the art and culture of Morocco, then you’ll understand why this five-star riad is so special.
(PS: don’t miss out on my current Japan travels, which you can see on my social media @lacarmina and linked in the top right sidebar.)
It sounds like a tale from 1001 Nights: Royal Mansour was the vision of King Mohammed VI, who employed over a thousand craftsmen and spared no expense to make this dream a reality. (Book a stay at this hotel & learn more here.)
My friends and I felt like Scheherazade, wandering the king’s palace in a daze. In a single picture, you’ll find a million details: the tiles, marble, gold, and carved arches.
You can imagine the fun we had, exploring the riads and hidden lounges, and taking photos along the way. Each area was lit to perfection — such as this reception area with a glowing chandelier.
The space made me feel like Alice in Wonderland, so I wore a romantic white dress by Liz Lisa (I’m currently selling it on my Depop, in case you would like it!). I played around with some color edits, to emphasize details of the architecture.
Let’s start from the entrance. Marrakesh’s Royal Mansour is only minutes from the bustling Square of the Dead, but the atmosphere couldn’t have been a bigger contrast. We drove through peaceful, opulent gardens and arches until we reached the grand entrance.
An adorable “lobby girl” greeted us, wearing a red cap, military-style outfit and white gloves.
At Royal Mansour, guests don’t stay in rooms. They get their very own three-storey riad, or Moroccan house with an open courtyard.
My jaw dropped when I realized I had one of the 53 private riads all to myself. I stepped past a blue-tiled foutain, into a living room furnished with the finest furniture.
The riad was fit for a Moroccan princess: a kitchen, rooftop terrace with a swimming pool, and my own elevator. Every detail, from the antique star lamps to the cushions with glass beads, was exquisite.
My bedroom looked like an illustration from a centuries-old storybook — yet it had all the latest amenities including free movies. I spent an hour soaking in the giant marble tub that lies behind these curved wooden doors.
Outside, the gardens were blooming with palms, purple bougainvillea and pomegranate trees. The landscape artist – Spain’s Luis Vallejo – also designed the gardens at the Alhambra palace in Granada (which we visited).
My long white dress added to the dreamlike feeling of the space. My platform sandals are these ones by YRU.
(I’m currently selling both of these items, plus more from my closet at discounted rates. Come take a look at all my sale listings, and email me if you’d like to get anything!)
The heart of the hotel is its main courtyard, a palatial arrangement around a cross-shaped fountain.
Mohammed VI began building Royal Mansour in the 2000s, and brought in the “crème de la crème” including architecture firm OBM and the French interior designers 3BIS. He spared no expense. The total budget of the project has never been revealed.
He wanted Royal Mansour to be a tribute to traditional Moroccan craftsmanship — so he hired over a thousand of the country’s best artisans. Each tile was handcut and placed, and every screen was painstakingly carved.
Imagine the effort that went into the zellige alone (the starburst-shaped mosaic wall) in the photo above…
Around the courtyard, there were intimate curtained rooms filled with cushions and paintings. I ducked into this hidden space and closed my eyes, taking in the scent of jasmine and orange blossom.
I listened to birds singing from the room next door, water trickling through the courtyard, and the light strains of Berber music.
Every corner of the hotel delighted our senses, particularly the open-air courtyards. We walked up the stairwell and found libraries, cigar and cocktail lounges.
Royal Mansour is opulence in its subtlest form. The hotel never feels over-the-top, and yet each detail is pure luxury.
The King brought together the highest achievements of Moroccan culture in a single place: interior design, paintings, sculpture, gardens, food.
The cigar room was a perfect example of the hotel’s understated luxury. At first glance, it seems like an old-fashioned gentleman’s lounge.
But then you notice the film-quality lighting from handmade lamps, and the shelves of rare cognacs and cigars. (All photos by Borderless Media.)
We had the dinner of dreams at one of Royal Mansour’s restaurants, La Grande Table Marocaine. It’s overseen by Yannick Alléno, a chef with three Michelin stars.
Seamless service, by servers in white gloves. They poured water over our hands as a washing ritual, and served us fine Moroccan wines — above was one of the best glasses I’ve ever had.
We started with our new favorite appetizer, a spread of Moroccan salads with honey and spices.
In the center, we had a selection of pastillas, or savory pies wrapped in crisp pastry. I’m still dreaming of the spinach and cheese one.
It was hard to choose our main courses, which were based on Moroccan tradition. Tagines, couscous, Moroccan gnocchi, fish served in clay pots. As expected, everything was 5-stars. If only we could have ordered the whole menu…
We loved the desserts with a molecular twist, including an orange blossom concoction with citrus caviar that burst in your mouth.
It was around my birthday… and the staff surprised me with these Grand Budapest-worthy cakes.
The hotel has a clever underground tunnel system that lets staff enter and exit the riad without disturbing your peace. One of them delivered these delights at the exact right moment, and then scurried back into the tunnel like a genie. Amazing.
I hope the doors to your imagination are open, after this peek inside Royal Mansour Marrakesh — which deserves its title as one of the leading hotels of the world. The riad just re-opened after a summer renovation, and the gardens have become more enchanting than ever. Learn more and book this hotel here.
I leave you with a few shots by Joey Wong of Bahia Palace in Marrakesh, built in the late 19th century by a former slave who rose to become the Sultan’s Grand Vizier.
Bahia has a 2 acre garden and harem, decorated with these intricate Islamic reliefs.
The detailing live up to the palace’s name, which means “brilliance.” Isn’t Moroccan architecture magnificent? I’d jump at the chance to come back and see more of the country.
If you’re planning a trip to Fez, Marrakesh and surrounding cities, check out all my travel tips and articles here. And watch me explore more of Royal Mansour in our Morocco travel video. To book a stay at my riad and see prices, click here.
PS: You’re welcome to Share and Pin these photos, if you felt inspired!
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Copenhagen’s Superkilen urban design park! Hipster Norrebro cafes, AC Bella Sky Library restaurant.
Strike a pose in Denmark!
I’m vogue-ing in Copenhagen’s remarkable Superkillen, which means “big wedge.” Have you ever seen an outdoor public space as super killer cool as this?
Built in 2012, this park / playground / multi-use space celebrates the cultural diversity of the Nørrebro neighborhood. (Superkilen’s address: Nørrebrogade 210, 2200 København, Denmark)
(And it turns out to be an exceptional place to take portraits with photographer Joey Wong.)
My bug-eyed oversize sunglasses are House of Harlow 1960. Leggings are Yohji Yamamoto – Y-3 and Adidas.
I love my spider jacket to bits. It’s this exact Black Widow bomber by Disturbia. This dark, nu-Goth label also makes a similar skull jacket and Lucifer jacket.
(Click the images below to get your paws on these designs:)
This award-winning park is the brainchild of Topotek 1 + BIG Architects + Superflex. The Norrebro district is home to residents from dozens of nationalities, and was once a gloomy and gritty part of Copenhagen.
Working with the local city council and businesses, the designers transformed this derelict area into a joyful, avantgarde park — which celebrates the cultural diversity of its inhabitants.
Superkilen is super-sized: 30,000 square metres (320,000 sq ft) in total. From a bird’s eye view, it’s a splash of color and lines that feels integrated into the neighborhood.
The public park has three main areas. I’m standing in the Red Square, which is dedicated to sports, recreation and modern lifestyles.
Closeup on the back of my Disturbia spider print jacket. My tie-dye blue dress is also by this brand. Hair is by Stephanie Hoy of Sugar Skull Studio in Vancouver.
(You can shop my Goth wardrobe directly from me. Email me if anything I’ve listed catches your eye.)
The red floor swoops up into a ramp for skateboarders. The multi-functional rubber surface can be used for all types of activities: ball games, parades, even skating rinks in winter.
I saw teenagers shooting hoops, and families playing games. Your imagination is the only limit for how you can use the free space.
Welcome to my office: a row of groovy circular swings!
The architects brought in equipment and art from all around the world, to represent Norrebro’s ethnic mix. There are slides from Chernobyl, swings from Iraq, a playground from India…
… and a mural of Chilean president Salvador Allende, by the famous street artist Shepard Fairey.
(My leggings are Yohji Yamamoto Y-3 x Adidas.)
Superkilen has well-designed spaces for all kinds of sports. After being in a TV show with heavyweight champ George Foreman, I couldn’t resist getting in the boxing ring.
(My sandals are these exact Torpeda slides by Sorel Footwear.)
I might not be able to throw a strong punch… but can master the Hong Kong high kick!
This section of the park is known as the Black Square, or Mimers Plads. Locals meet up around the elegant Moroccan fountain and Japanese cherry blossom trees.
These tables are made for backgammon and chess players. The entire striped space is tailored to hanging out with friends and family.
One part of the surface curves up into a big mound. I watched a guy perform bike tricks on the hill.
I’ve literally got eyes on the back of my head… A shaved skull under-cut, thanks to stylist Stephanie Hoy!
I’m impressed with the way Superkilen incorporates unconventional objects from all around the world into the design. This dentist and moon neon sign came all the way from Doha, Qatar.
Darth Vader, is that you? This black sculpture is actually an octopus shaped slide and playground, very popular with children. It’s from Japan, as you might expect.
Hola, Allende! Benches from Brazil, litter bins from the UK, random signs advertising Chinese beauty salons and Russian hotels… Superkilen succeeds in illustrating the wonderful diversity of this Copenhagen neighborhood.
Enter the green park, a zone for nature and fitness. I stumbled upon this mesmerising performance on silks and rings.
Form, function, tentacles. What more can you ask for in an urban community space?
We always find Satan, wherever we travel.
Don’t miss out on Superkilen, when you come to Copenhagen. If you like to cycle, you can rent one of the public bikes with tablets and WiFi attached to the handlebars, for easy directions.
Norrebro is known as the city’s hipster area. I walked around and enjoyed observing the street life and modern architecture.
There’s nothing like Scandinavia in the summertime. No wonder the Danes always are at the top of the “quality of life” rankings.
In Norrebro, the street Jægersborggade is lined with cool cafes. Stop by GRØD, the world’s first cafe dedicated to porridge! This rustic hideaway also serves curry rice, risotto and other porridge-y options.
I found a shop that sold cacti, and another dedicated to fungi. Copenhagen is a cyclist’s city, and you’ll find bikes at every turn.
We continued our stroll to a giant food hall / farmers market called Torvehallerne. Vendors sell all types of food under the glass structures: chocolates, oils, cheeses, breads.
Smørrebrød, or open sandwiches, are a Danish speciality. Traditionally a lunch staple, you can find very creative and colorful versions of smorrebrod at Torvehallerne.
Tbis market also holds the world’s first Paleo restaurant. Avocado, meat and berries are on the primal menu at PALÆO Copenhagen.
Thumbs up to The Coffee Collective, which also has a cafe in Norrebro. These roasts are prepared in the superior pour-over method, and the beans come from ethical sources that improve the living conditions of coffee farmers worldwide.
Spectacular food and architecture appear to the theme of our Copenhagen trip, wouldn’t you say?
We bit into both at AC Bella Sky, a sensational structure that looks like something from the future. This Marriott property is the largest hotel in Scandinavia, with tilting towers designed to maximise the sky-high views.
Designed by 3XN Architects, this is “Nordic cool” design at its coolest. The sleek white/glass exteriors are simple yet functional, and have a literal twist. Inside, the designers used natural materials like oak and walnut, to help the guests feel at home.
AC Bella Sky has several fantastic dining options. We sat down at Library Restaurant, which was warmly decorated with dark woods, Le Klint lamps and shelves of books.
In this easygoing space, we dined on a beautifully presented appetiser of salmon lox with local vegetables, paired with delicious sauces.
Home-style, nostalgic favorites are on the menu, and there are lots of options for vegetarians and people with food allergies. Our main dishes came with generous amounts of salads and roasted vegetables, and our waiter helped pair every order with wines. Library was a wonderfully relaxing dining experience.
Isn’t the AC Hotel by Marriott – Bella Sky a marvel? If you’re coming to Copenhagen, you can book a room here on Expedia or on Hotels.com.
More Copenhagen to come, including a look at the famous Nyhavn waterfront lined with boats.
All photos by Joey Wong. (These images were taken from the viewpoint.)
Isn’t Copenhagen cool? Thumbs up to this Scandinavian city — a must-visit!
My only regret is that I only had a few days in København. I’ll have to come back ASAP to see more.
(PS – If you liked my clothes in these photos, you can shop them with a click below!)
LA CARMINA
