THE BEST HOTELS FOR MARRAKESH GOLF HOLIDAYS
Our selected hotels for golf breaks in Marrakesh.
Es Saadi Gardens and Resort****
The Es Saadi is more of a complete resort than just an hotel alone. It sits, amidst lush gardens, in the residential 'hivernage' area of Marrakesh, just outside the walls of the ancient Medinah with all of its souks and stalls, hurly and burly. Once inside the Es Saadi gates you will find: an hotel, the Palace (all suites hotel), ten individual villas, swimming pools, two spas, gymnasium, tennis courts, a variety of restaurants, a sprinkling of bars and the Casino de Marrakesh within which you will also find the 'Teatrô' nightclub: in short, a full blown leisure centre for grown-ups!
Es Saadi Hotel*****
A superb venue for your stay in Marrakesh, made extra special by the kind and friendly staff who will welcome you with true Moroccan hospitality. The Es Saadi hotel was the first to be built amongst the palm gardens and is a 60’s style building with regular shaped rooms all of which have balconies (worth the little extra for a pool view or Atlas view from tho top floors).
Although an older hotel, the upkeep is very good and the staff are plentiful and extremely helpful. The Es Saadi has a nice pool and central sunbathing area, beside which tables and chairs are set for either a late breakfast or lunchtime snacking served from the poolside bar.
There are two spas to choose from: the small original one beside the hotel pool or the new Clarins spa over in the Es Saadi Palace.
On the ground floor beside the marbled Reception the hotel has recently renovated bar and lounge, plus one of Marrakech's finest French restaurants - Le Gastronomic. Two days a week there is a Berber tented-style restaurant open in the gardens. Another restaurant can be found in the casino and two more over in the Palace (see below), all of which you are welcome to use.
Es Saadi Palace*****
Just across the car park from the Es Saadi hotel the Palace is a more modern, more luxurious, all Suite addition to the Es Saadi resort.
Designed for utter luxury from the ground up the Suites are large, with big bathrooms and balconies that look out over the Palace's extensive gardens and big swimming pool.
There are two restaurants within the Palace, French on the ground floor and Moroccan on the top floor. Both are tremendous (if we had to choose we'd go Moroccan though!).
If you are looking to spoil yourself with a luxury golf holiday in Marrakech, this is one of the best!
Sofitel Marrakesh*****
A fully-fledged luxury five star hotel just outside the walls of the ancient city. All mod-cons are available inside, providing a very civilised base for discovering the delights of Marrakesh.
The hotel bedrooms are large and well appointed, forming a U-shape around the vast pool in the hotel gardens, where there is an ample supply of sun-loungers. When morning rolls around, breakfast is served on the patio overlooking the pool, with the snow-capped Atlas mountains in the distance.
The hotel has a choice of bars, including the very welcoming piano bar, where there is often nightly entertainment (there is also a casino nearby and a nightclub).
The restaurant serves a variety of European and African dishes and is the ideal place to familiarise yourself with Moroccan cuisine or try out the Moroccan wines varieties - very palatable.
The Sofitel Marrakesh also features an indoor pool with spa facilities such as jacuzzi, sauna, hammam, etcetera; plus a variety of massages and treatments available at a small extra charge.
Naoura*****
In the very heart of the city, surrounded by the amazing sights, sounds and smells of the ancient Medinah, souks and the unforgettable town square the Jmaa el Fnaar, the Naoura is the absolute latest word in luxury.
Built, owned and run by the French hotel and casino group: Lucien Barriere, no expense has been spared creating this idyll of luxurious living.
The hotel has a large central pool with bedrooms arranged around the edges. The bedrooms come in three categories: Superior - all on the ground floor with a patio by the pool; Deluxe - on the first floor with a private balcony and Suites - the summit of sumptuousness (you might say).
Needless to add there is a very gastronomic restaurant Fouquets (reminiscent of their two Michelin-starred establishment in Paris) and bar at the Naoura. All of Marrakesh's other dining and evening attractions are just a short walk away.
La Palmeraie
To the Northeast of the city (about twenty minutes by the cheap and plentiful taxis) lies an oasis of calm and palms - 'La Palmeraie'. This is a recent residential development providing homes for Marrakesh's nouveau riche and French holiday homes. To cater for the needs of these folk there is also a designer village of shops and restaurants to walk to.
Palmeraie Golf Palace*****
There are several places to stay out at La Palmeraie, the most opulent being the Palmeraie Golf Palace*****: a large hotel, just a short walk to the Golf Club and practice ground.
The centrepiece of the hotel is the enormous expanse of swimming pool surrounded by palm trees and bougainvilleas. The pool is divided into smaller lagoons by an island restaurant and bar where lunch or dinner in the shady cool is a real delight amidst the desert heat.
The bedrooms all have balconies either overlooking the pool or the golf course (Suites are also available).
Palmeraie Dormy Suites****
Probably the ardent golfer's favourite rooms at la Palmeraie: twelve Suites above the Ryad style Clubhouse that include unlimited golf at La Palmeraie!
The bedrooms all have balconies looking out over the course and you can stroll down to the hotel for a dip or dinner when you fancy it, then back to the quiet of the Clubhousee. Plus you only have to walk downstairs and you are on the Putting Green or Range - so you can golf 'til you drop!
Royal Palm*****
A little distant from the hurly-burly of the Medinah, out in the desert away to the South of Marrakech a truly luxurious golf and spa resort has taken shape - the Royal Palm. If all you need from your Moroccan golf holiday is sun and sport in a quiet setting then head for Royal Palm - the swankiest of the out-of-town resorts.
There is a choice af rooms at the Royal Palm ranging from 'Deluxe' (very comfortable) up to 'Prince Villas' that are both sumptuous and spacious, with balconies overlooking the pools and golf course. The whole place was constructed (to a very high standard) in 2014, so everything is pretty much still brand new.
The Royal Palm features plenty of relaxation space around the grounds and the assorted sundecks alongside the extensive swimming pool complex. When it comes to dining there is a choice of four restaurants, offering plenty of variety for a week long stay (just as well as there is nowhere else nearby!). Just about everybody eats-in so it makes sense to arrange your stay as half-board.
The Royal Palm spa has its own building and offers a fabulous indoor pool along with a full range of spa treatments and facilities as one might expect of a luxury resort.
