Set the scene
Mountains spike the distant skyline, whereas in entrance of the brand new Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay resort and medispa, palm and olive tree-dotted gardens open onto an extended, broad, shell-flecked seashore. Glass-clear water laps or slaps the sand, relying on the breeze. A 90-minute drive from Tangier close to the northernmost a part of Morocco, the place the Mediterranean merges with the Atlantic Ocean, the 15km stretch of coast that makes up Tamuda Bay is nicknamed the Moroccan Riviera and is already house to a St Regis, Sofitel and Banyan Tree. This art-filled newest arrival – the third within the group owned by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI that opened absolutely in March 2025 – is probably the most opulent of the bunch, however in a low-key means.
In principle, non-public seashores don’t exist in Morocco. This stretch, nevertheless, has successfully grow to be one, flanked as it’s by a rocky headland and one in all Mohammed VI’s high-security royal palaces. Ranged alongside the sand, the resort’s largely two-storey, sand-coloured buildings embrace the 4,300 sq. metre spa and neighbouring indoor “quiet pool”, a central foyer with lounges, bar and library, three eating places – Spanish, French and Italian – and 55 suites and 7 villas, the beachfront ones with non-public swimming pools. Little interrupts the expansive sea views besides some apricot-and-white striped seashore umbrellas, fluttering over hand-carved picket chaise longues. An occasional sea fowl flies overhead and a breeze flicks the leaves of the palm bushes. Invariably, peace prevails.
The backstory
Morocco has a spa pedigree that reaches again to round 400AD and the legacy of elaborately tiled and mosaiced bathhouses and steam rooms left by the Romans. Today the nation’s artisans nonetheless lay beautiful marble mosaics, hand carve tiles, impact probably the most detailed marquetry and weave intricately – expertise that every of the Royal Mansour accommodations showcases in splendour (the primary opened in Marrakech in 2010 and the second in Casablanca in 2024). In 2030 Morocco will co-host the World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal and the eyes of the world might be on the nation; therefore its new high-speed rail service, at the moment linking Tangier, Rabat and Casablanca however anticipated to succeed in Marrakech and Agadir by 2030. The resort’s high-tech spa, the primary medispa in Morocco, is emblematic of this assembly of quickening modernity and conventional craftsmanship.
What is the wellness idea?
The idea relies round longevity, primarily, and the best way to harness the precepts of preventive wellness with a view to age as healthily as potential through dietary tweaks, train routine (or lack of), sleep and common life-style. To that finish, the spa has three medical doctors protecting mainstream in addition to Ayurvedic and naturopathic philosophies, a nutritionist, a physiotherapist and a dozen therapists. It’s all very lovely, from the candlelit remedy areas to the rooftop gymnasium and open-air train house, giant pool and hammams, with loads of areas to chill out in between remedies and an ultra-chic tea, juice and rosemary-infused water bar with snacks of almonds and dates.
What are the signature remedies?
Blood assessments. Blood is taken within the morning, couriered to the Laboratoire du Maghreb within the capital Rabat, analysed the identical day for 70 markers, and the outcomes are again the next morning. After going over them completely, the physician prescribes a personalised programme in line with the outcomes.
Which therapist ought to I guide?
Dr Suchitra Sidhardhan, the Ayurvedic physician, is helpfully empathetic and sensible. Her suggestions vary from each day Ayurvedic routines reminiscent of getting out into sunshine early every morning to enhance sleep to the brain-training apps Elevate, CogniFit and Lumosity. For massages, the Balinese therapists are wonderful, particularly Putu and Tina. The latter’s reflexology is agonising however efficient. “I will fix you! I can!” she says cheerfully.
What makes it completely different?
If you join the Longevity programme, you’re despatched house with a sheaf of take a look at outcomes, recommendation and options. (The solely draw back – it’s all in French.) But it’s not tremendous strict. The three diets that immaculate nutritionist Samia Rhalem prescribes are for 850, 1,200 or 1,500 each day energy, and whereas these on 850 typically take their micro-meals of their suite, the smiling restaurant employees present little signal of patrolling the bread baskets or saying no to off-diet orders. Regardless, it might be madness to return right here and never benefit from the mild, wholesome and ravishingly introduced meals.
What else do they provide?
The third-floor gymnasium with TechnoGym tools appears to be like out over mountains in addition to sea, making it a beautiful spot to work out, and has probably the most encouraging employees. High-tech aesthetic remedies are provided to enhance pores and skin and hair and spot-reduce fats.
Where do you keep?
There are 110 rooms unfold all through the 55 suites and 7 villas, together with the three-bedroom, 1,700sq m Villas Royale with indoor and outside swimming pools. Each one is spacious and stuffed with all kinds of pleasing components. A small desk is conveniently positioned by the outsized tub, laden with delicate Maroc Maroc facilities, Dyson hairdryer, orange sleep spray, and tender, pointy slippers that will nicely discover their means into your case. Leave your cellphone or laptop computer cable trailing and return to seek out it tidied with an embossed leather-based fastener.
Eco effort
Some guests look askance on the lofty foyer, studded, employees proudly inform company, with 95,000 seashells taken from the close by seashore. Frankly, the seashore is so studded with shells the lacking 95,000 don’t appear to have made even a dent, however eyes roll when one says that aloud. But that is an uncluttered resort, with a lot made from pure supplies – stone, wooden, leather-based, straw – and minimal single-use plastic. Admittedly, the lavatory facilities are available in plastic tubes, however there are glass and metallic bottles provided for water within the rooms, and little wasteful use of paper. Teas, as an illustration, all dried leaves or herbs, not bagged, are decoratively introduced in little containers unfold throughout an occasional desk. In the spa, class and serenity rule, with water and its therapeutic powers given emphasis through thalassotherapy, watsu remedies, and cleaning scrubs within the hammam.
Eco-friendly merchandise are used for cleansing and mosquito management, the swimming pools are handled with bromine fairly than the extra polluting chlorine, and laundered clothes are returned on picket hangers in reusable garment baggage. In the spa, water and its therapeutic powers is emphasised through thalassotherapy, watsu remedies, and cleaning scrubs within the hammam. In the eating places, the menus point out which elements have been sourced from native cooperatives, reminiscent of goat cheese, fish, water, and teas. The resort’s objective is Green Key certification.
Accessibility
Paved paths connecting the primary constructing, villas and spa, lifts in each constructing, and beneficiant spacing in all the general public in addition to non-public areas would make it straightforward to manoeuvre a wheelchair all through the resort. A plank-wood walkway results in the sting of the sand, however the seashore itself can be inaccessible.
Anything else to say?
Most of the 480-odd employees stay virtually invisible, getting round through underground tunnels. The seeming vacancy of the place provides to its soothing sense of calm. This is an exceptionally thoughtfully designed resort, the work of London design studio Muza Lab. Symbols, bathe controls and lightweight switches are all simply comprehended. The eating places and public rooms spill over with artwork and delightful design components: La Mediterranee’s ceiling, inlaid with mom of pearl; enthralling zellige tiling; exclamation-worthy chairs. The library has been brilliantly curated. The resort additionally has a watersports centre with two Riva yachts, and La Plage de Lily membership takes kids aged 4 to 12 from 9am to 7pm each day.
Final phrase
Absolutely good for an extended weekend. The remedies are good to wonderful, the consolation is profound, the meals – this must be repeated! – superlative. It’s a disgrace concerning the 90-minute switch, however London to Tangier flights take solely two and a half hours. In Tetouan, solely 20 minutes from the resort and the place the labyrinthine medina is a UNESCO World Heritage web site, you’re in a unique, virtually medieval world. The 18-hole coastal Cabo Negro golf course and climbing routes within the Rif mountains are additionally shut by.