Picture Marrakech’s medina and a colourful chaos will no doubt be conjured. Throngs of tourists, sizzling food stands, snake charmers and salesmen - it’s an electric hubbub of activity. So it is with some surprise that here, within the city’s medina walls, and a short walk from the main square and souks, stands Royal Mansour - a 5-star masterpiece in the heart of Marrakech..

Urban Oasis

Entering through its enormous ornately carved wooden front door is to enter into another world. An exquisite oasis of serenity. Set in five walled acres of towering palm and fragrant gardens, the air is heady with the rich scent of jasmine, lemon and roses.

The hotel was commissioned by King Mohammed VI, with a reportedly unlimited budget. His idea was to create a ‘medina within a medina’, and as such, the property has the feel of a small village, comprised of a series of individual riads.

Magical Private Palaces

Each riad is a magical private palace, spread over three floors. Packed with ornate plasterwork and tiling, carved cedar wood, sumptuous fabrics and decadent designs, this is a lavish treasure trove, celebrating the 1500 locals who worked every day on the hotel’s creation over three years.

On arrival we are greeted by our butler, who is a phone call away to assist with any questions - and manages to appear and vanish in the blink of an eye, thanks to a series of concealed tunnels that run throughout the hotel.

Guests looking for the ultimate in 5-star luxury can book the Riad d’Honneur (Grand Riad). This palatial four bedroom property, which includes the 24-hour assistance of its own set of staff, is almost 1800 square metres in size and is dripping in exquisite design. Its spellbinding two tier roof terrace offers panoramic views of the Medina and Atlas Mountains, as well as a plunge pool, lounge and dining area. Downstairs includes a library, cinema, gymnasium, hammam, spa treatment room and bar. Outside, in the riad’s private garden is a heavenly palm-lined swimming pool.

Decadent Dining

Everything about Royal Mansour represents perfection in every guise and the four restaurants, overseen by multi-3-Michelin-starred chef Helene Darroze, live up to this reputation, producing extremely high level dining experiences. Darroze is known as a culinary adventurer, creating Moroccan and French specialities with a unique twist, drawing on the very best from each region and tradition.

With four restaurants, two "grande" restaurants (one Moroccan, the other French), La Table, an elegant yet more relaxed restaurant and Le Jardin for lighter meals every style is covered.  The food is superb throughout, from breakfast to dinner, and the wine lists thoughtfully constructed and expansive.

La Grande Table Marocaine is often described as the best restaurant in Marrakech. And it probably is. Softly lit with flowing silks, exotic tiling and bespoke furniture, the tables are beautifully set and the service warm and welcoming. At this level of fine-dining the whole experience becomes theatrical and the service, presentation and culinary skill are nothing short of magical and delivered with panache.  But it was the mouthwatering flavour combinations and culinary skill that wins the day and puts this restaurant on the highest pedestal.

La Grande Table Francaise is an equally exciting and elegant fine dining experience. Here, classic French cuisine prepared with hand-selected ingredients and authentic flavours is served with a contemporary flair.

Breakfast beneath the boughs

Breakfast is served beneath the shade of ancient olive trees at La Table. We enjoy an indulgent rural-style breakfast, with everything on offer from delicious locally made yoghurt, a forest of every type of regional fruit, and the freshest eggs cooked to order. They even create gluten-free pastries to cater for our dietary needs. La Table is open to guests throughout the day producing delicacies at all hours.

Spa Sanctuary

And then there is the spa. Entering via the citrus garden, heavy with orange trees, bougainvillea and gardenias you are already entranced by colours and perfumes. Stepping out of the heat and into the immaculately white fairytale-like spa feels as though nothing short of your total well-being awaits you. This impossibly pretty giant white birdcage, constructed with intricate lace-like iron-work covers 2,500 sq metres over three floors. It has 18 private treatment rooms, 3 private spa suites, a sauna and a gym, and plenty of hidden alcoves with sumptuous silk couches and the murmur of fountains to relax away your stresses.

The friendliest and most attentive staff assist you with head to toe beauty treatments which include its renowned therapeutic massage and signature manicures and pedicures. At its heart is an authentic hammam with hot marble chambers and the softest of linens  - an immersive Moroccan tradition that will steam, massage, exfoliate and wrap you – leaving you with the silkiest skin and walking on air.

There is also an ornate orangery enclosing a long rectangular indoor pool lined with luxurious day beds.  If you need a little refreshment or a book to browse, there’s a herbal tea bar, a library, a spa restaurant and to complete the experience, a hair salon. You’ll be sure to come away feeling rejuvenated and replenished in both body and mind.

In the grounds, an exquisite turquoise pool reflects the billowing palms that surround it and over-sized cabanas provide privacy and comfort.  We end our time here at Le Jardin, the  poolside restaurant in the shade of the pergolas.  The fare is relaxed but still chic -  garden salads, tapas, barbecues, Asian-style ceviche, sushi and other Japanese delicacies. We sit under large umbrellas, enveloped in the Moroccan heat, but the crowd here could not be more cool. This is a fashionable hangout for Marrakech’s elite, and a fabulous spot to people watch.

Visiting the palace that is Royal Mansour is an opportunity to be treated, quite simply, like royalty. A once in a lifetime? Yes. To be repeated? Absolutely!