Where to go for Winter Sun in Morocco

Whether you’re looking for a classic long weekend in Marrakech, wandering the medina’s winding souks and secret gardens, a luxury winter beach retreat along the Mediterranean-licked shores of Tamuda Bay, a blend of coastal and cultural exploration in Casablanca, or an itinerary that combines all three, these are our top picks for a luxurious winter sun escape to Morocco, via the inimitable Royal Mansour Collection.

Marrakech: A Cultural Classic

Marrakech is a tangle of dense, evocative layers: palatial gardens, centuries-old mosques identified by towering minarets echoing prayers across tiled rooftops, and lively markets, giving way to chic galleries, contemporary cuisine, and a flourishing design scene. It is both Morocco’s cultural heart and a perfect gateway for wilder journeys into the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert. 

Here, you can wander lively markets bartering for spices and leather goods amongst the beautiful chaos that makes Marrakech so endearing, embark on a tour of the Medina by vintage motorcycle and sidecar, and explore the city’s sanctuary-like gardens to view stunning examples of Morocco’s architectural art.

Stay: Royal Mansour Marrakech

Set in refined Hivernage, this is a masterpiece of luxury hotel architecture, designer to resemble a private Medina with various gardens, romantic courtyards, nooks and hideaways linked by a lantern-lit lattice of paths. 

What makes it so very special is its abandonment of traditional rooms and suites, opting instead for a delectable collection of multi-storey riads, each with a private pool, and a scenic courtyard, all finished with jewel-coloured silks, potted palms and four-poster beds. Next is the service, which is so discreet as to seem invisible. 

The food is exceptional, with four restaurants led by world-renowned chefs, a favourite of which is La Grande Table Marocaine, which serves traditional Moroccan cuisine with an elevated haute-cuisine twist, most often soundtracked by the romantic plucks of an Oud, played live by a local musician. 

One of Morocco’s most exquisite spas is on site: vast, serene, and gleaming in immaculate white. The spa’s pool is beautiful too, contained within an all-glass orangery, and there are yoga and pilates classes for those hoping to keep up with a health regime.

Casablanca: Moroccan Modernity

Casablanca is Morocco’s modern city, with contemporary towers and Art Deco beauty. In place of Marrakech’s traditional petit taxis and horse-drawn carts, modern trams wind through wide streets filled with ice cream vendors and international chains rubbing shoulders with tea shops and world-class restaurants. 

Culture lovers find plenty to see here with the towering Hassan II Mosque, vibrant street art murals throughout the city centre, and the Medina of Casablanca. For entertainment, La Corniche has everything from restaurants and boutiques to bars and nightclubs.

Stay: Royal Mansour Casablanca

Set within a stunning 1950s building on a palm-lined street, Royal Mansour Casablanca offers a chic collection of spacious rooms, suites and apartments, with dining options spanning Moroccan, French and Japanese, as well as a two-storey spa, and sweeping views over the Casablanca skyline. 

Interiors are cavernous, with public areas shimmering from marble gathered from places like Brazil and Namibia. While this hotel has a personality distinct from Royal Mansour Marrakech, the similarities are crystal clear in the service, where attentive butlers and hands-on doormen are on hand to help with all of your needs.

The rooms here are some of the largest in the city, finished in gemstone hues, golds and with an overall aesthetic glitz that befits the Art Deco surrounds. The suites are delectable, set high on the 19th and 21st floors, with views of the Casablanca skyline and the sea curving around the leaping minaret of Hassan II Mosque. 

The interiors are perhaps even more sublime, with curvaceous polished wood staircases and wood-panelled walls, glistening chandeliers and private in-room hammams. The spa at Royal Mansour Casablanca features an 11m indoor pool, hammams for men and women, a sauna, steam room, and beauty salons.

Tamuda Bay: Mediterranean Calm

On Morocco’s northern coast, where the Rif Mountains descend towards the Mediterranean, Tamuda Bay sits as a stunning sweep of languorous golden beach. From here, you can easily explore the historic port city of Tétouan, where you’ll find artisans working in a busy Medina ensconced within 15th-century city walls, or embark on day trips to the fairytale blue streets of Chefchaouen. 

A highlight for fashion lovers is an opportunity to see Yves Saint Laurent’s former home, the chic Villa Mabrouka, and while it was converted into a hotel by Jasper Conran, you can visit to admire both the ornate interiors and the remarkable views of the Strait framed by the villa’s delightful gardens.

Stay: Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay

The Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay elevates its swoonworthy coastal setting with a divine collection of chic private villas and suites set in 10 hectares of attractive gardens dotted with palms and olive trees. 

 The hotel embraces its Mediterranean setting with dining options encompassing Spain, Italy, and France across three beautiful restaurants — including the Coccinella Italian restaurant headed up by three-Michelin-starred Chef Massimiliano Alajmo. 

 The Medi-Spa has open-air exercise spaces, a large pool and candlelit treatment spaces, with water treatments like thalassotherapy and watsu. But the real draw is the spa’s private health regimens, which include fine-tuning your personal programme based on a blood test on arrival and a long-term longevity plan, focused on preventive wellness techniques.

Each of the rooms is a distinct echo of the hotel’s idyllic surroundings, with light earthy colours highlighted by pops of vibrant art and lush flora animated by soft sea breezes. Several have private pools set into the gardens with direct beach access, and each comes with a private butler to see to your every need.

Activities include a watersports centre with two Riva yachts, and you can explore the abundant marine life via a snorkelling or scuba-diving session.

As your Private Travel Designer I can begin to shape your Moroccan escape - whether that's wandering the vibrant souks of Marrakech, basking in the winter sun along Tamuda Bay, or exploring the Art Deco elegance and cultural heartbeat of Casablanca.

Please contact me for more details.