Park Hyatt Marrakech hotel officially opens, 13 years late

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• Steve says:

  2 Jul2 July 06:37

  I note Rob or Rhys have been up earlier cleansing the comments…!

  I had thought this hotel opened earlier in the year, been available to book for a few months. Was this just the official opening?

  • Rob says:

    2 Jul2 July 07:13

    It was and then it wasn’t bookable, oddly. I checked last month and it wasn’t available and when I was with the Hyatt senior team in Barcelona recently they talked about it as ‘coming’.

• Kpworldtravels says:

  2 Jul2 July 07:43

  It officially opened on 1st although its been on soft opening phase for a couple of months now. They did open for reservations and close and open again.

  I visited the property on an exclusive tour in May. I have detailed review on my website so wont go into details here but it really is a fantastic property and will work well for couples, kids and golfers. The spa looks great. The biggest problem is that it faces extremely competition with MO, Oberoi etc in the vicinity, in addition to the plethora of ultra lux options near the Medina.

  The team looks great and good luck to them

• The Savage Squirrel says:

  2 Jul2 July 07:43

  I love your tongue-in-cheek quote selections. Don’t ever stop quoting press release marketing bowlocks about design. It’s always hilarious and this is a particularly fine example. I think “hyperlocal” is my favourite as the word “local” works perfectly, but clearly just isn’t anywhere near pretentious enough.

• Dev says:

  2 Jul2 July 08:20

  Marrakesh is seriously overrated. You can spend a morning in the Medina and unless your a western origin person who has never seen market before, you will be bored of the trinkets and walking around for no reason. Add in how aggressive the hawkers and stall holders are, you will be relieved to come. A couple of nights in a nice hotel and rooftop dinner is enough to move onto somewhere else.

  Would I pay £500 a night to stay in Marrakesh… probably not. There are much more relaxing resorts out there in the world for £500 a night.

  • Rhys says:

    2 Jul2 July 08:34

    The hawkers are really not aggressive at all. I spent 4 days in the Medina over Easter and we weren’t hassled once. The most hassle we got was in the food markets in the evening on the main square – but even then, a polite no thank you and they’ll leave you in peace. Admittedly during ramadan but I was shocked how little I was bothered, given the city’s reputation.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      2 Jul2 July 09:19

      Visited last June and they were pretty chill then.

      Personally it’s a city with great food choices, nice bars and some great weather. The Shisha isn’t too bad either!

      • Chabuddy Geezy says:

        2 Jul2 July 10:34

        There are lots of historical sites and places of interest in and around the medina. There are the Saadian tombs, el badi palace, jardin secret, jardin majorelle, bahia palace etc. The photography museum has a nice rooftop cafe. We also had a nice hamman and massage at les bains de marrakech near the Medina.

        • TGLoyalty says:

          2 Jul2 July 17:26

          Agree but if you’ve been before I’m not sure they would be the biggest draw back. I’d personally do some again as it’s been a few years.

    • Callum says:

      2 Jul2 July 15:40

      When I was there I was constantly hassled, constantly had people trying to scam me and was “playfully manhandled” towards someone’s shop on multiple occasions.

      I don’t think you get to claim they “aren’t aggressive at all” because the one time you were there it was fine! The reputation you mention didn’t just randomly appear out of thin air…

• S says:

  2 Jul2 July 08:45

  Disagree about Marrakech as an overrated destination.

  Wide variety of properties about including low-budget and luxury, although most are traditional Moroccan Riads and not too many traditional hotels.

  But there are enough good hotels such as Fairmont, Oberoi, MO, FS and now PH if you did want to stay at a “normal” hotel as opposed to a Riad.

  Yes the medina can get boring, but maybe don’t visit everyday? We also weren’t hassled there when we visited in May.

  The Agafay and Sahara deserts aren’t too far, as well as Ourika and Ouzoud falls and of course the Atlas mountains.

  • Thywillbedone says:

    2 Jul2 July 09:10

    You haven’t exactly nailed why Marrakech isn’t overrated?? I would like to go back one day (perhaps for a long weekend only though) but the choice is between a riad (i.e. heavy compromise on facilities) or a vastly overpriced chain hotel (Mandarin Oriental showing over £1,500 per night at October half term; Fairmont and Oberoi near £1,000). The Park Hyatt on points looks very attractive by comparison …

    • TGLoyalty says:

      2 Jul2 July 09:29

      There are nice nice hotels at more reasonable prices the four seasons can be a bargain sometimes, the Sofitels, Fairmont, Nobu plus plenty of local brands.

      Do always wonder why Le Meridian hasn’t had a much needed refurb as it’s a city that can usually demand decent rates if the standard it high.

• Tony says:

  2 Jul2 July 12:26

  On this subject (ok, kinda) does anyone know what happened to the proposed Atari Hotels? Was supposed to open in Vegas I think.

  • Travel Strong says:

    2 Jul2 July 13:11

    This gives a suitable summary: https://www.casino.org/vitalvegas/dont-hold-your-breath-for-atari-hotel-las-vegas/

    Add it to the list of imaginary developments, Bluetech Park, Z Athlete Village, Oakland A’s ballpark, and Atari hotel.

    In other parts of the world:
    Indigo Gibraltar seems to have died off.
    Hilton Gibraltar holds more promise.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      2 Jul2 July 13:43

      In hotels cases always take announcements of new hotels years in advance with a pinch of salt … plenty of time for the funding to fall through, planning permission to get rejected, destinations to fall of favour or even get sold mid development once the hard work is done and the brand is changed.

• Alison says:

  2 Jul2 July 13:53

  Stayed at Jasper Conran’s L’Hotel Marrakech for a few nights and loved it. Only 5 suites, all furnished with local antiques. Great service riad with a roof terrace, beautiful garden and a pool. Would go back in a heartbeat. Lots to see including the amazing Jardins Majorelles. Recommend arriving Sunday in Marrakech and leaving Thursday to avoid the European weekenders. Good 241 deal with RFS.

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