MARRAKECH CITY FOCUS SEEING RED An overview of the spa market and pipeline developments in Marrakech: the red city
fact, tourism is its main economic activity and the Moroccan National Tourist Office is promoting the city to families, golf, sport and adventure enthusiasts, luxury and fash- ion-conscious travellers and wellness seekers alike (see
www.marrakech.travel). Since 2009, over 10 top hotels have
D
launched, with at least 15 more in devel- opment. Hand in hand with the high-end hotels come impressive spas, such as those at La Mamounia (see p40) and Es Saadi Palace which has just been unveiled (see p14).
Riad retreat As well as hotels, many riads (traditional houses) have been transformed into spa businesses which combine the authen- tic hammam experience – where guests are scrubbed and cleansed vigorously in a
DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE
These companies are planning to open hotels in Marrakech in the next few years*: n Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts (opening early 2011)
n Beachcomber Hotels & Resorts (opening mid-2011)
n Assoufid (part of the Rocco Forte Collection, opening 2011)
n Baglioni (boutique hotel with private residences designed by Jade Jagger, opening 2011)
n Fairmont (opening 2011) n Park Hyatt (opening 2011) n Jawhar Estate (opening late 2011) n W (opening late 2011) n Marriott (luxury golf hotel opening 2012) n Banyan Tree (opening tbc) n Mandarin Oriental (opening tbc) n Ramada (opening tbc) n Royal Ranches (exclusive equestrian facility with hotel, opening tbc)
n Samanah Country Club (golf resort, opening tbc)
n Suite Hotel (by Accor, opening tbc) *Source: Moroccan National Tourist Office
heated room – with pampering massages. These mostly com- prise up to five treatments rooms, plus hammams and steamrooms, relaxation areas and sometimes pools. Some of the more well known include Les Bains de Mar- rakech (see SB10/2 p64), Maison d’Arabe and ISIS spa. Leila Zouet, a trained thera-
pist and owner of ISIS, opened her first facility in the heart of the souk area four years ago, fol- lowed by the smaller Medina Spa just off the central market square Jemaa el Fna. “We attract the tourist market,”
says Zouet, “so we offer several triple massage rooms for groups of friends, rooms for couples and also a family experience.” At ISIS, there are also three bedrooms designed especially for séjour bein-être (a wellness retreat). Zouet is clear that the success of spas in
Marrakech lies in their quality of service. Having worked as a therapist, she under- takes much of the spa training herself.
Country charm Located on a 15-hectare (37-acre) site with 13,000 rose bushes, on the city outskirts, Le Beldi Country Club competes by drawing in day spa visitors who want to escape the city – hotels even organise excursions to it. “Although luxurious, most spas in Marrakech
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ominated by sprawling pink, red and ochre col- o ur ed bui ldin gs, Marrakech is a hub for international tourists. In
One of the more well-known spa businesses within a riad is the ISIS spa (above), while day visitors flock to the Spa at Le Beldi Country Club (below)
hotels are underground or boxed in,” says French owner Jean-Dominique Leymarie.
“Our spa isn’t. It is big, has lots of natural light and beautiful, open surroundings.” Te business started as a conference des-
tination six years ago and, three years later, the 6,450sq ſt (600sq m), nine treatment room spa, swimming pool and restaurant followed. Tis May saw the completion of a 28-bedroom boutique hotel. Beldi means ‘traditional’ in Arabic and,
while undoubtedly modern, the grounds – including the buildings constructed using old-fashioned daubing techniques – have a charming country appeal. l
SPA BUSINESS 4 2010 ©Cybertrek 2010
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