Opened in 2009 as part of a £285 million government investment, the resort stretches across 250 hectares of Morocco’s Atlantic coast – featuring an impressive 15 bars and restaurants as well as North Africa’s largest casino and a 18-hole golf course designed by legend Gary Player.
After passing through a typical Moroccan riad, guests arrive at the heart of the resort: the lobby. Here they can easily get checked in as well as access some of Mazagan’s top dining, drinking and shopping spots.
After check-in, I’m led through a labyrinth of courtyards and riads to one of the resort’s 492 rooms and suites – all of which were recently renovated following the tasteful principles of Arab and Moorish interior design and are equipped with all the mod cons you would expect.
The rooms and suites are divided into 10 categories based on price and view offered, going from the 452 sq ft Garden View Room to the more luxurious Mazagan, Executive and Ambassador suites.
However, the epitome of luxury is embodied by the two 3,682 sq ft Royal Suites – with prices starting at £1,926 per night.
The Royal Suites enjoy breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and are equipped with a fully-fitted kitchen, a study as well as a spacious living room, a balcony and a bathroom with two showers and a free-standing tub.
Mazagan doesn’t leave anything to chance when crafting its customers’ stay either, with guests having access to a concierge service that can fulfil almost every wish – including booking excursions to the likes of Casablanca and Azemmour, airport transfers and on-site activities.
Guests don’t need to reserve restaurants, however, as the resort offers a dining choice that is both carefully curated and extremely varied.
Among the most renowned restaurants are Sel De Mer – a refined seafood joint where vegan options are available; Bushra – Buddha-Bar’s latest flagship concept which offers Lebanese dishes and live music at the weekends; and Yakumanka – a Peruvian pop-up restaurant open solely for the summer 2024 season.
Meanwhile those who want to have an authentic Moroccan dining experience during the summer months can head to Mazagan’s organic farm Al Firma, where they can eat mouthwatering grilled meats and flavourful tagines under the stars.
The wine-and-dine offering further includes two buffet restaurants; Mazi Pool – a pop-up by one of London’s most famous Greek restaurants, Mazi; Dome, a restaurant inside the casino; a Casablanca-inspired bar and a second Buddha Bar by the beach.
In between a sushi lunch there and maybe a grilled dinner at Bushra, guests can take part in one of the many activities offered at the resort.
Mini golf, archery and petanque are among the complimentary activities at Mazagan while zip line, go-karting and bungee jumping come with a fee.
Guests can also experience the thrills of riding quad bikes and buggies or taking Selfie, or one of the other adorable horses, on a walk along the resort’s four-mile beach.
Mazagan caters to all tastes and ages, giving parents some respite with its kids and teenagers’ clubs while offering golfers a round of 18 holes or private lessons.
Customers who just want to relax shouldn’t fear though, as the resort has an award-winning spa with 19 cabins – including two double rooms and a luxury two-person suite overlooking the ocean. Treatments include a 90-minute hot stone massage, an hour aromatherapy session and four-hand massages.
Groups can also book a session in the spa’s hammam – a bath experience typically found in Morocco and other north African countries – or personalised treatments such as couple massages.
As for its environmental efforts, Mazagan provides an array of sustainable initiatives – using recycled effluent water to irrigate the golf courts and other green areas, for example.
Part of the Kerzner International stable alongside Atlantis Dubai, Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort is one to keep on the radar. The resort already hosts a solid number of UK guests, and with the restart of Royal Air Maroc between Manchester and Casablanca, is only expecting to welcome more.
Good to know
On Saturdays, both the kids and the teenagers’ clubs are open until 10pm
The resort has one of the biggest conference centres in Morocco, spreading across 22,000 sq ft
Apart from being the only casino within a 125-mile radius, Mazagan is the biggest casino in North Africa, with a total surface area of 32,292 sq ft and boasting more than 439 slot machines and 34 game tables
Breakfast is the only meal included in the holiday package as Mazagan no longer offers half-board options to clients
Guests can arrange a half-day excursion to visit the neighbouring city of El Jadida and its 16th century portuguese citadel – a Unesco World Heritage site since 2004
How to book it
Prices for a seven-night stay in early August start from £1,990 per room for a garden view room; agents can book through Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort.
