AccorHotels to operate first Fairmont in Morocco

AccorHotels has announced the signing of a hotel management agreement (HMA) with New Mauritius Hotels Limited, which will see the relaunch of an existing Morocco resort property under the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brand by May 2017. The reflagging of the property, now named Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, marks a significant step for the luxury brand in Africa with its first property in Morocco.

“We are delighted to have the first Fairmont hotel in operation in Morocco, a unique brand that represents some of the most iconic and distinctive hotels in the world. Morocco is a strategic market for us and one in which we are witnessing solid growth and momentum. With 37 hotels currently within our portfolio, we look forward to complementing the country’s already robust tourism development plan, and to reinforce our global development objective for Africa overall by doubling our network to reach 200 hotels," declared AccorHotels chief operating officer and managing director Middle East & Africa Olivier Granet.

New Mauritius Hotels Limited CEO Gilbert Espitalier-Noël said: "We are delighted to have signed this management agreement with the luxury division of AccorHotels. The Royal Palm Marrakech is an exceptional resort which we are proud to have developed during particularly difficult economic times. We are confident that the management and commercial strength of the AccorHotel Group, with its newly acquired Fairmont brand, will contribute to establishing the Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech as Morocco’s premier resort.” 

Located 12 kilometres from the city of Marrakech, the Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech is nestled in a century-old olive grove, spanning 231 hectares, at the foot of the Atlas mountain range and is a 10-minute drive from Menara Airport. The resort is within close proximity to the region's cultural attraction, the mythical Red City.   

Featuring 134 guestrooms including five presidential Suites, one penthouse Suite, and 10 villas, the resort currently also offers 94 private residences consisting of two, three and four-bedroom villas. Subsequent phases of the development will include both Fairmont Royal Palm Residences and Fairmont Royal Palm Estates, joining Fairmont’s portfolio of branded private residences. Currently under development, the branded residences will be serviced by Fairmont.  The residences range from 200 square meters for a two-bedroom to over 500 square meters for a four-bedroom villa. Optional furniture packages will be available.

“We’re delighted to announce this new mixed-use property that combines luxury residences and a five-star hotel. Our exceptionally strong residential expertise means we offer one of the most attractive hospitality options to guests not just in Marrakech, but soon in Rabat and Agadir. Fairmont Royal Palm is the latest step in our journey to becoming one of the premium luxury operators in Morocco. Fairmont has a strong lineage with iconic properties such as The Savoy in London, Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower, and Fairmont San Francisco to name a few, and are well known amongst the people of Morocco,” commented AccorHotels executive vice president luxury & upscale brands, Africa & Indian Ocean Hamid Bentahar.

The resort currently features four restaurants and lounges including Le Caravane, an international restaurant on the terrace; L’Olivier, overlooking the swimming pool and  serving Mediterranean cuisine; Al Ain, a traditional Moroccan restaurant; and Le Bar, with its own cigar cellar. Due to open shortly will be The Golf Course Country Club, which will also serve as a club house for residence owners.The Country Club will comprise of a lounge, restaurants, and a health club and swimming pool.

Leisure options in the resort include a 25 metre  heated, ozonized swimming pool as well as a 3,500 square metre spa, which features a private area reserved for women and an 18-hole golf course created by architect Cabell B. Robinson. In addition to its own golf club, the Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech is surrounded by three of the city's eleven golf courses, which includes nearby Assoufid Golf Club, winner of the World Golf Awards 2016 in Morocco.

The Fairmont brand is also expanding in Morocco with other luxury developments. Fairmont Taghazout Bay will be a 155-room luxury property featuring sea facing views and 52 Fairmont branded villas, while Fairmont La Marina Rabat-Salé will be a 200-room luxury hotel in proximity to heritage sites and a location on the Bouregreg river-mouth benefitting from triple water frontage. Both hotels are currently scheduled to open in 2019.

AccorHotels currently operates 37 hotels in Morocco with five hotels in the pipeline, encompassing a combined total of 686 rooms and residences across luxury, upscale, midscale, and economy segments.Examples include the Hotel Sofitel Marrakech Lounge and Spa and the Hotel Pullman Marrakech Palmeraie Resort and Spa.