Family-friendly luxury Marrakech hotels: High-end family hotel reviews

Travelling abroad with little people certainly requires some trade-offs, but on a recent trip to Marrakech I found that this needn’t mean letting go of a little luxury. The Moroccans adore children, and welcome them vivaciously, adding to the captivating city’s appeal as an enchanting – yet surprisingly accessible – family holiday destination for some welcome out-of-season sun.

With five-star dining, sumptuous spas, serene landscaped gardens and Kids' Clubs to scream about, these three high-end hotels marry indulgence and fun with convenience and comfort for all the family. Le Selman, Royal Mansour and Four Seasons Marrakech are all in close proximity to the vibrant city’s thronging Djemaa El Fna and medina, flanked by stunning views of the Atlas mountains - with airport transfers shorter than the average commute to work. If you’re looking for a luxury family break without compromise, your journey starts and ends here.

Le Selman

Prepare for a fairy-tale stay at Le Selman, aptly described as an 'Aladdin-style terracotta palace’ paying tribute throughout to thoroughbred Arabian horses which reside in palatial stables on-site.

As captivating for children as adults, the handsome horses from Persia make this magical-feeling hotel truly unique. The enigmatic design and opulent furnishings (think silks and velvets in royal reds, purples and golds), majestic manicured gardens and a striking outdoor swimming pool all serve to instantly seduce. Who said romance dies when you have kids?

Le Selman

Our son was dazzled by the stallions and the classy Kids' Club, complete with an outdoor playground and trampoline granting views of the horses exercising. With babysitters on-demand (over-fours attend Kids' Clubs for free in Marrakech, but below that one-on-one supervision must be booked), everyone won.

Le Selman’s exuberant spa–featuring hydrotherapy rooms and hydro-massage pool plus two hammams–is best savoured free of distractions, although the outdoor spa pools (one warmer, one cooler) welcome all ages.

Le Selman

Do also involve the children in what promises to be an unforgettable lunch at the easy-going but elegant outdoor restaurant Le Pavillon. Looking onto the grounds’ paddocks, expect to enjoy an equestrian spectacle choreographed by the hotel’s horse whisperer.

For more elite-feeling moments, the hotel’s international restaurant and Moroccan dining option set the scene for luxurious date nights should you book an in-room babysitter.

Extravagant luxe and little ones can go hand-in-hand.

For more information, visit selman-marrakech.com

Four Seasons Marrakech

Somewhat more accessible, and just as blissful, is the Four Seasons Marrakech. Reassuringly slick, you can expect those trusted Four Seasons standards at this well-oiled operation - plus some distinctive Moroccan magic; snow-capped mountain views and colourful flora and fauna filling the property’s sprawling Moorish gardens.

The contemporary set-up delivers the ultimate convenience for families. There are changing mats, nappies and baby bathing products in the rooms as well as supplies at changing stations within the restaurant bathrooms. By the swimming pools you’ll find sun hats and SPF on tap where you’ll also be brought complimentary water to your loungers. While one pool is adults-only, another caters to families, with children even able to enjoy the jacuzzi (extremely novel in a two-year-old’s case).

The sizeable Kids' Club is impressive, with endless activities including a theatre stage, plus an outdoor wading pool and proper dining facilities. Children under five eat (heartily and healthily) for free which is a welcome touch, and the excellent babysitting staff will happily feed children at their instructed meal times, while you can focus on soaking up the sun and sampling the cocktails.

Four Seasons Marrakech

In addition to the Kids' Club there is a Young Adults Centre featuring a games room, computer stations and movie theatre; plus you’ll find teen-specific beauty treatments available at the spa. Consider it the place to go if you’re travelling as a family with mixed ages.

The food at Four Seasons was wonderful, from the extensive breakfast buffet to the poolside grill open all afternoon serving seafood, imaginative salads and tasty pizzas.

Richard Waite

The hotel location also makes it prime for adventure-making outside. The atmospheric old town is easy to explore with a pushchair, and the famous Jardin Majorelle (above) is certainly child-friendly – the sounds and sights of both of will keep the whole family captivated. A horse-carriage tour is another exciting option for exploration of the city, and one that’s sure to stick in little minds for a long time.

For more information, visit fourseasons.com/marrakech

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Royal Mansour

Magnificent Royal Mansour is the epitome of hotel excellence and hushed luxury. Opulent and exclusive, you’re treated like royalty in this residence which was commissioned by the king of Morocco – and its attentive staff couldn’t do enough for our lucky two-year-old, however trying his toddler temperament felt at times.

A celebration of Moroccan tradition, the stunning property features 53 luxury split-level riads, ours complete with a rooftop plunge pool serving views of the Koutoubia Mosque. Room service proved as special as dining at any restaurant, the addition of a fireplace on the roof – lit upon request – made it a memorable spot for my husband and I to gorge on a delicious tagine with fine wine once the little one was soundly sleeping a floor below. Service staff discretely come and go via an intricate network of underground tunnels, and provide everything you could want; from a baby monitor and changing station to a steriliser, bottle warmer and even colouring books, plus a chic comforter – personalised, of course.

Royal Mansour

Lunch in Le Jardin, one of the three outstanding restaurants, is a must. The highly creative cuisine blends South American and Asian influences with North African; think juicy cervice and sashimi, tender spicy grilled meats and sweet-yet-savoury cocktails. The experience was made all the more enjoyable knowing that our son was having a high time in the plush Kids' Club, which boasted top notch in-and-outdoor facilities and very reasonable babysitting rates.

Children are welcomed in both the outdoor pool and the impressive indoor pool, built into an orangery-style space within the hotel’s world-class spa.

Do also enjoy this majestic three-storey spa in peace, though. It proved to be my paradise on earth, with two hammams and exceptional therapists performing treatments from brands such as Sisley and Leonor Greyl.

Tear yourself away from the tranquil property (and its year-round heavenly gardens) to visit the city’s heady medina for movie-like scenes which form a captivating adventure. Taking inspiration from the hotel you can pack some local style up for home via the jostling souk or the fixed-price Artisan Market adjacent to the hotel’s entrance.

Upon reluctant departure, the airport transfer service is way beyond the standard. To ensure you set off for home in comfort the hotel arrange for an airport representative to meet you at the entrance where they whisk you through express security like an A-lister. No standing in line and no stress, which is the height of luxury when you have a lively child in tow. Royal Mansour is impressive and indulgent to the last.

For more information, visit royalmansour.com

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