Just 3 hours from London, Morocco is a destination that guarantees vibrant culture, months of sunshine and sublime cuisine. Marrakesh is a popular choice for travellers with sights set on Morocco, but this resort may win you over to bump Casablanca up to the top of your list. 

Oozing Middle Eastern opulence at its finest, Mazagan Beach Resort sprawls the Atlantic coast of Morocco, near the town of El Jadida. An hour’s drive from Casablanca, this resort is a secluded oasis of calm away from the hustle and bustle, yet easily reachable for day-tripping to the city. Mazagan’s grounds stretch over 250 hectares, inhabiting 7km of beachside. The myriad of activities appeals to all, keeping little ones occupied, whilst encouraging adults to unleash their inner child. Days can be spent soaking up the sunshine around the pool or the beach, perhaps a spot of golf in the morning and to top it off, head to the spa for a treatment in the afternoon. With endless possibilities at your fingertips, Mazagan is a 5-star treasure trove for jet-setters with kids in tow too!

Striking the balance of luxury and leisurely fun, we’re in awe of how the destination appeals to all tasteful. It’s rare to find resorts that satisfy both kids and adults in equal measure. Dotted across the grounds you’ll find a climbing wall, trampolining park, kids pool (with slides!), paintballing, a zip line, go-karting, a football pitch, archery, horse-riding, paddle and tennis courts. Reframe from picturing a kid’s holiday camp, Mazagan is far from a kid-tastic playground, the grandeur aesthetic hasn’t been tampered with, yet has all the facilities to say otherwise. Kids of all ages will never run out of things to do at Mazagan, meaning you won’t hear a peep of complaining!

Coining inspiration from authentic Morrocan architecture, Mazagan’s lavish exterior covets the traditional Moorish arches and decorative tiles. Intricate details are bejewelled into every inch of the hotel, from the sweet smell of orange blossom that fills the air to the elevated interiors of rich tonal hues, uniquely curated to evoke signature style. The Morrocan influence is embedded into the foundations of the resort and ripples out to each touch point, whether you’re eating a traditional tagine or indulging in the authentic Hammam spa experience, culture is at the heart of the experience.

The 500-key resort has rooms and suites overlooking the Grand Riad pool, lush gardens, golf course, forest scape and ocean. Staying in line with the Moroccan design, there’s a style to suit all, from connecting rooms for families to romantic hideaways, easily accessible rooms and suites fit for a king…quite literally!

Spoilt for choice, there are 11 restaurants spread across the resort. For long lunches, Buddha Bar’s open air is the obvious choice, with sushi served right on the seafront, soundtracked by a Cafe del Mar chillout mix. With the ocean just a stone’s throw away, it’s only right to lap up on seafood in such a prime spot. Sel de Mer serves up a sophisticated rendition of the catch of the day in the aqua-esque restaurant in the central hub of Mazagan. Acclaimed London-based Greek restaurant, Mazi has a summer residency in full swing, playing host to artfully sublime Greek cuisine at the exclusive garden pop-up overlooking the Celestine sea. Not to be missed, Mazi’s menu is for feasting with friends. 

Authentic Moroccan cuisine at the Al Firma Berber Tent will give you a real taste of what it’s like to dine like a local. Placed just outside of the hotel, you’ll find the Al Firma amidst the farm where the goats and crops are to regenerate locally grown produce for all the restaurants on site. Lit by the campfire fire, this rustic-style dining experience is stripped of extravagances, which is what makes it so special. Pouffes and low tables are scattered in and around the tent, the food arrives in clay pots made for sharing and the sounds of the Moroccan flute orchestrate oriental dances to keep you entertained.

Set in its own peaceful entity, the spa and wellness facilities meld in traditional Moroccan rituals and modern well-being offerings. The gym has unparalleled views, kitted with TechnoGym equipment, a yoga studio, an outdoor functional strength space and daily classes to get involved in. The Hammam experience is a must in this part of the world, the bathing ritual takes place in a spacious 100 sqm marble and mosaic steam room, starting with a detoxifying cleanse followed by a scrub and mud wrap. The treatment rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, with undisturbed views of the ocean to set your mind at ease. From deeply restorative massages, to beauty-led facials, there’s an array of dreamy treatments to treat yourself to pamper during your stay.

Sunset is the prime time to go horseback riding along the seashore, saddle up on the Berber stallions and for children, there are ponies to gallop across the sand! Thrill seekers will love quad biking along the coast and zooming over sand dunes in the beach buggies. There’s also an array of watersports from surfing, paddle boarding and jet skiing.

From the moment you step foot into this emporium of a resort, you’ll sink into ‘holiday’ mode and a sense of relaxation will be activated. The impeccable service presented at Mazagan is prevalent in every part of the resort, a testament to the people and culture that invitingly trickles into the ethos of the resort. The easy-luxe vibe is infectious, so if you’re after a total bliss-out vacation, with a hint of adventure thrown in the mix, sensational food and drawn-out sunshine, we’ve found the spot!

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words by Isabelle Shury