Rising from an ancient north African capital, an oasis worlds away and yet easily accessed from major European gateways is now welcoming sun seekers, romantics, adventurers, spa aficionados, history buffs, gourmands, intrepid shoppers and fun-loving families. Four Seasons Resort Marrakech is a 40-acre (16 hectare) walled resort within Morocco’s most exciting city, with 141 rooms and suites, three dining options (and two more to come), a lavish spa and a world of possibilities for relaxation, exploration and memories.

Even before arrival, guests can count on the caring attention of staff to make any stay, whether for business or pleasure, for an extended visit or special event, completely worry free. “Ensuring that every guest gets the most out of their time with us is our priority,” promises Jean Claude Wietzel, general manager of Four Seasons Resort Marrakech.

Inspired by the nearby Medina, Four Seasons Resort Marrakech offers a modern take on traditional Moorish architecture next to the Menara Gardens. Rose-hued pavilions with hand-carved details are surrounded by sunlit swimming and reflecting pools, gardens, pathways and fountains. Buildings are low-rise so as not to obstruct stunning views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and Menara Gardens beyond the Hotel’s swaying palms. Accommodations evoke a Moroccan medina, filled with riads connected by arcades, walkways and courtyards. Each of the spacious guest rooms and suites has its own furnished balcony or terrace with mountain, Menara Gardens or resort views.

A Playground for Families, or a Romantic Getaway for Couples

Families and friends travelling together will love the flexibility available at Four Seasons Resort Marrakech that will allow everyone to enjoy themselves.

To begin with, the Resort has thoughtfully included two pools among its extensive gardens – one for families, and a separate pool for adults only. Four Seasons also offers the city’s only fully-supervised facility for children, Kids for All Seasons, along with dozens of conveniences for families from complimentary strollers, cribs, high chairs and other baby gear to kids menus. Connecting rooms with a private foyer mean everyone can be together, and a Young Adult Centre and babysitting services allows family members to do their own thing if they choose.

“In a way, Four Seasons Resort Marrakech is a destination unto itself – with so much space to explore and so many choices of activities, some guests may never want to leave the property,” anticipates Wietzel.

Four Seasons Resort Marrakech is also a romantic oasis, with private spaces and experiences to share. Every room and suite has its own balcony or terrace for leisurely breakfasts or dining à deux, and the adults-only pool promises a relaxing day in the sun. At the Spa, a separate couples pavilion with its own entrance and series of private suites opens the possibilities for shared journeys of relaxation and renewal.

The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Marrakech

Set amid gardens filled with birdsong, the Neroli Spa Pavilion beckons couples and those seeking more extensive spa experiences. Named for the orange blossom that perfumes the air and cuisine of Marrakech, this exclusive space is reached by its own discreet entrance and features two luxurious spa suites plus a contemporary hammam. Ritual journeys may include the Spa’s signature Thousand and One Nights, including hammam bath and a traditional smoke essence ritual followed by a saffron, garnet and rose scrub and orange flower body wrap, and finally a facial with oils of rose, jasmine and orange flower. Individual hammam treatments include Marrakech Indulgence, a Gentle Hammam, and a longer Moroccan Hammam Ritual.

The Spa also offers a second pavilion with 15 treatment rooms. Facials by Natura Bisse take centre stage, including the Casanova Facial designed just for men. Massages include treatments with ILA products, such as the Kundalini Back Massage, named for the snake-like goddess of awareness, and the Manipura massage, meaning “beautiful jewel” in Sanskrit. For active travellers, the Spa also offers the Sport and Fitness Recovery massage, and use of a soothing whirlpool. Body wraps and scrubs fuse local essences including saffron and orange flower with the finest imported ingredients from Himalayan salt crystals and lemongrass to therapeutic bio plasma and seaweeds. The Spa’s salon offers pampering treatments for hands and feet, as well as hairstyling, waxing and brow shaping.

A Personalised Moroccan Adventure

Four Seasons Resort Marrakech is ideally located in the central part of the city, right across from the Menara Gardens and an easy stroll to the Medina and the city’s legendary souks. Tennis courts are on the property, while four golf clubs are within a 15-minute drive.

The concierge team can arrange excursions that range from the beach to a ski resort, from the ancient to the modern. Adventurers may want to get a head start on a trek through the High Atlas Mountains by helicopter, or take a quad buggy to explore desert plains, canyons and rocky hills just minutes outside Marrakech. Individuals and families interested in traditional culture can even visit a Berber village in the mountains.

Back at the Resort, dining options include Solano – Brasserie du Sud, named for the southerly wind that caresses Morocco, Andalusia and Sicily; the poolside Azzera Grill with its namesake stone open counter; or the Inara (Arabic for “natural light”) Bar and Lounge.

More to Come: Marrakech’s Most Hotly Anticipated Dining Experience

In 2012, Four Seasons Resort Marrakech will unveil a restaurant and rooftop lounge unlike any other in the city.

French born and trained Executive Chef Christophe Gillino has conceived a Provençal menu for Bleu d’Orange that infuses seasonal local ingredients into fresh interpretations of classic French dishes. Food lovers may look forward to such delights as a crushed avocado cake with broad bean salad and artichokes niçoise; shrimp with essence of orange and carrot served with grainy mustard and parsley; bisque bouille, Bleu d’Orange’s signature interpretation of traditional bouillabaisse (seafood soup); grass-fed lamb from the Atlas Mountains with lemons and olives; roasted duck with figs, anise and squash; and for dessert, chocolate fondant cake with cherry licorice reduction, or frozen crème brulée with vanilla Bourbon, crispy oranges with strawberry balsamic reduction and fresh ground pepper.

Atop the restaurant and against a backdrop of the Atlas Mountains, Zest at Bleu d’Orange will be the city’s best place for open-air cocktails and live music as the sun sets over the Menara Gardens.

Special Opening Offers

“In celebration of our grand opening, Four Seasons Resort Marrakech is offering several value packages designed to introduce travellers to the city in a way they’ve never experienced before,” invites Wietzel.

The Welcome Package offers a Spa credit and generous check-in/check-out times to maximise one’s stay, while the Bed and Breakfast package includes a buffet breakfast at Solano-Brasserie du Sud – or guests may combine both options in one. Honeymooners may wish to enjoy their complimentary breakfast in the privacy of their room’s terrace before indulging in a two-hour couple’s treatment at the Spa. The Shop Till You Drop package includes a two-hour excursion to the souks with a private guide, ideal for those interested in picking up the region’s famous leather, brass and silk goods.

Groups are also welcome at Four Seasons Resort Marrakech, with a special meetings package and a team of event planners at the ready.

“Our event specialists are receiving a lot of inquiries for weddings, galas and corporate meetings in the Adgal Ballroom, and with five additional spaces plus the garden, Spa and private dining options, Four Seasons Resort Marrakech is ready to welcome them all,” says Wietzel.

In Marrakech, the journey is just beginning.