The Mazagan Beach and Golf Resort and Spa – a palatial resort with a Grand Riad, palm tree-lined pool and sweeping grounds – is so spectacular you feel like you’re in a Hollywood film.
Trotting along the stunning white sandy beach on the Moroccan coast on my majestic horse, I admire the breathtaking view of the almighty Atlantic as the ocean’s waves lap gently at our feet. It’s almost sunset and Cyada, a 16- year-old Arabian-Berber horse, whose name translates as Hunter in Arabic, and I are enjoying an evening outing.
We’re just an hour south of Casablanca at the Mazagan Beach and Golf Resort and Spa – a palatial resort with a Grand Riad, palm tree-lined pool and sweeping grounds which wouldn’t look out of place in a Hollywood film.
I half expect Gerard Butler, Lindsay Lohan and Naomi Campbell to come around the corner; an online search tells me they are some of the celebrities that have stayed here over the years. If it’s good enough for them, it’s certainly good enough for me. I wonder if a few royals have stayed here too?
A Royal Suite will set you back around £2,000 per night and comes complete with a grand lounge, extravagant bedroom and twin terraces with spectacular sea views. The rooms are certainly fit for a king or queen – everything oozes opulence and luxury from the sophisticated dark wooden furniture through to the Moroccan art, inspired by Arab and Moorish interior design.
The good news is that you don’t have to have royal coffers to stay here; during November, which is low season in Morocco, you can stay in a garden room for £150 per night. While it might not be as extravagant as a Royal Suite, you’ll still be able to appreciate the traditional Moroccan architecture and wake up to views of lush gardens and a golf course.
Many of the hotel’s guests choose this Moroccan resort because they want to sample the 18-hole golf course designed by one of the greatest golfers of all time, Gary Player, winner of the US Open and one of only five players to scoop a Grand Slam. Players can enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean as they tee off, but there’s also plenty to do if you’re not a fan of golf.
Before arriving in Morocco I was worried it would be uncomfortably hot but in early June it’s a pleasant 24C – much cooler on the coast than it is in Marrakech. While the temperature drops to around 18C in winter, one of the marvels of Morocco is that this part of north west Africa enjoys sunshine all year round.
To cool off I take a dip in the tranquil pool which is lined with palm trees gently swaying in the breeze. It’s so peaceful here – the only thing I can hear is birdsong and the low hum of guests chatting around the pool.
As a parent I appreciate that although this resort is kid friendly, children have their own pool with a slide around the corner. Some 80 per cent of the hotel’s 500 rooms are family rooms with connecting doors. Kids’ clubs mean that parents can have a break too.
Horse riding and swimming are thirsty work, so after a quick freshen up I head to the hotel’s cocktail bar – Studio 42 – for a refreshing pre-dinner cocktail. Settling into the royal green velvet seats, I admire the decor inspired by iconic scenes from the movie Casablanca – one of the most famous films to be set in Morocco.
Mmmm, the Mazagan cocktail hits the spot. It’s a mix of Moroccan Rosé Liquor, Martini Rosato, Campari and gin and the closest thing to a French 75 – the drink made famous by the film. For a brief moment I drift off into a daydream and imagine I’m living the glamorous life of Hollywood actress Ingrid Bergman who was Humphrey Bogart’s love interest in the iconic film set in the 1940s.
Morocco has long been an inspiration for artists – Tennessee Williams and The Rolling Stones took up residence in Tangier on the north west coast of the country, while singers Cat Stevens and Jimi Hendrix both hung out in Essaouira, a charming and vibrant port and resort town on the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlas film studios in Ouarzazate are even nicknamed “Morocco’s Hollywood” and Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Game Of Thrones and The Living Daylights were all filmed here.
You can certainly eat like a film star during your stay at the Mazagan – the Sel de Mer restaurant is a gastronomic delight for seafood lovers and the Buddha-Bar Beach offers a selection of Asian fusion favourites alongside cocktails and breathtaking views of the ocean.
In all, there are 15 restaurants and bars including a buffet with something to suit all tastes, such as British and European options for fussy little eaters. It costs £17 for children, not bad when you consider it covers their starter, main course and dessert and they can have as much to eat and drink as they want.
Working up an appetite while staying here won’t be an issue – there are three tennis courts, Laser Quest, a gym, yoga room, archery and mini golf to keep you busy. For an additional fee you can go horse riding along the beach, quad biking or surfing and in the evening you can have a flutter in North Africa’s largest casino. When it’s time to relax, the Mazagan Spa has 19 cabins, a luxury two-person suite with mesmerising ocean views, a steam room and an authentic Moroccan hammam.
It wouldn’t be a trip to Morocco without a trip to a market, so the next day we set off with our tour guide to check out El Jadida, a fortified city built by the Portuguese at the beginning of the 16th century. El Jadida is steeped in history; its old city seawalls are one of the Seven Wonders of Portuguese origin in the World – and its markets offer a fascinating glimpse into what life is like for locals.
At the souk, our senses are overloaded – stalls selling colourful spices, fish and olives line up alongside shops housing traditional Moroccan rugs, leather and tagines. The old city has more than enough to satisfy cultural cravings. Mosques and synagogues sit next to an ancient stone fortress, only the street art reminds you that it’s the 21st century.
As young children play football in the square and a cat stretches lazily in the afternoon sunshine, I can’t help but feel like venturing out of the five star resort into real Morocco is like stepping back in time to a more simple way of life.
Book the holiday
- Royal Air Maroc flies from Heathrow to Casablanca, Morocco, starting at £360 with Royal Air Maroc. royalairmaroc.com/uk-en
- Rooms at the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in El Jadida, Morocco, start at £137 a night B&B for a family of four sharing, saving 20%. Book by December 16 for stays to December 29. mazaganbeachresort.com
- More info at visitmorocco.com/en
