What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 25 May 2015

Welcome to another week! Paula was lucky enough to go to Morroco with Moulden Marketing earlier in the year, and as well as enjoying a fabulous stay at La Mamounia, she also visited the newly opened and rather fabulous Royal Palm Beachcomber Hotel in Marrakech.

As we continue our series and look at new hotels around the globe, this week its Africa that beckons...

Africa is becoming the new battleground for global domination among hotel groups, so let's have a look at just some of the fabulous new openings!

Park Hyatt Zanzibar opened in March, and is the quintessential destination to experience the idyllic East African island of Zanzibar and embrace the rich culture, heritage and historical significance of the hotel's location. Sitting majestically on the beachfront in the heart of the Stone Town, a designated UNESCO heritage site, Park Hyatt Zinzibar provides the ultimate haven amongst Stone Town's labyrinth of winding alleys, bustling markets, mosques and famed Zanzibari doors, featuring magnificent ornate wooden carvings.

From the spacious, elegant guest rooms, authentic cuisine and spectacular views to the oceanfront infinity pool, Anantara Spa, fully-equipped fitness centre and exceptional meeting, event and private function facilities, Park Hyatt Zanzibar offers both discerning business travellers and luxury holiday makers rare, intimate and unforgettable experiences. 

Radisson Blu Marrakech is due to open in October 2015! Located in the recently built Carré Eden complex in the central Gueliz district, the Radisson Blu Hotel in Marrakech is surrounded by trendy bars and restaurants as well as a shopping mall populated with high-end international stores. Gazing at the hotel’s striking modern lobby, patio, restaurant and bar designed by famous architect Imaad Rahmouni, it’s easy to forget that the historic medina, with the vibrant Djemaa El-Fna square and famous souks, is just a short walk away. 

The 198 rooms and suites, created by acclaimed architects Lotfi Sidi Rahal and Meriem Benkirane, feature a warm, contemporary style and amenities like Free high-speed, wireless Internet and LED screens with satelite channels. The unique open dining area combines a restaurant, lounge and bar and serves organic meat and fish cooked over a charcoal grill as well as tapas and sushi. The hotel also features an aquarium swimming pool, an expansive patio with sun beds, a fitness centre, a spa and a ballroom, as well as 10 large meeting rooms for business events.

Park Hyatt Marrakech is set to open in 2016, and will welcome you into the exclusive universe of one of the world’s most prestigious hotel brands.

Only 15 minutes away from both the "medina" (old city) and the international airport of Marrakech, Park Hyatt Marrakech hotel features 131 spacious rooms and suites as well as 44 deluxe villas built inside the private gated grounds of the hotel complex. Park Hyatt Marrakech’s rooms, suites and private villas are generously sized and offer a unique atmosphere along with exceptional views of the landscaped gardens and the 18-hole golf course designed by Kyle Phillips.

At Park Hyatt Marrakech every staff member is dedicated to providing guests with an incomparable level of personalized service designed around your lifestyle and preferences.

Residents of the villas can enjoy full access to Park Hyatt Marrakech hotel concierge services, spa facilities, the golf course and clubhouse and to all other facilities and services the hotel has to offer.  Learn more about the Park Hyatt Marrakech villas.

Park Hyatt Marrakech presents a wide selection of authentic cuisines from different parts of the world and offers a diverse range of meeting facilities to cater an exclusive board meeting to large conferences and social gatherings.

Four Seasons Casablanca is opening towards the end of this year. Cool and avant-garde on the beachfront of Morocco’s largest city, Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca enjoys a prestigious resort-style setting, just a short distance from the business district and the historic city centre. 

The new hotel is part of the master-planned Anfa Place community, combining residential, business, shopping and entertainment. The 183 guest rooms and suites share a range of dining and recreation amenities in a style that mixes French and Arabic traditions. Meetings and events unfold in the ballroom and five function rooms, open to outdoor terraces that celebrate Morocco’s year-round warmth and sunshine.

Mandarin Oriental Marrakech is our final hotel opening of this week, and With the snow-capped Atlas Mountains as a backdrop, Mandarin Oriental Marrakech lies in 20 hectares of landscaped gardens and olive groves, only minutes from the bustling medina. With just 63 villas and suites, a world-class spa and 5 innovative restaurants and bars, it provides a unique oasis of luxury in the heart of the city.

Contemporary in style, the resort’s interiors have been conceived by French design duo, Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier who have combined their contrasting styles to create a balanced look. Patrick has focused on clean lines and symmetrical forms while Dorothée has added subtle Berber and Spanish Arabic touches. The Gilles & Boissier style is clearly seen throughout the hotel, with its emphasis on juxtaposing aesthetics: striking but discreet, luxurious yet unobtrusive.

Guests at Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech will delight in an atmosphere that combines the exotic charm and relaxed lifestyle of the Red City with the oriental heritage of the award-winning hotel group.

So that's it for this week folks, have a good one!