El Fenn Expands and Embraces New Way to Travel

Landmark Marrakech hotel El Fenn is unveiling a sumptuous expansion in January 2021 as it pledges a greater commitment to supporting Morocco’s local economy, community and environment.  With its trademark blend of cool and a distinct feeling of home-away-from-home, El Fenn now stretches across 12 interconnected riads.

Amongst the new highlights is a heated rooftop pool with panoramic views of the Marrakech cityscape, Koutoubia Mosque and Atlas Mountains. Four new suites plus a second bar and private dining room have also been added and the stylish in-house spa and store expanded.

“El Fenn has constantly evolved but we’ve always been about authentic luxury,” said managing partner Willem Smit, who has overseen the project build and design. “Our expansion honours that core philosophy along with an increased commitment to the wider Moroccan community.”

El Fenn now spans 2,700 sq meters of the Marrakech medina and boasts 31 rooms and suites, plus a 1,300 sq meter rooftop.

Supporting the Local Economy, Community & Environment

                                                                                                             Photo by Cécile Perrinet Lhermitte

A team of 70 local artisans have worked on the hotel to hand craft finishes including zellig-tiled colonnades, bright tadelakt lime plaster walls and stitched leather floors.

Everything at the hotel has also been locally sourced from the bed linens and organic bath products to the freshly brewed tea and coffee served on the rooftop for breakfast.
On the food front, seasonal, local ingredients will be used to create classic El Fenn dishes, such as the daily homemade tagine, in addition to a new daily-changing plant-based menu with optional meat and fish dishes.

The hotel is also developing initiatives to offset flight carbon emissions by planting trees in the Atlas Mountains and sponsor three children from local orphanages through school.

Art will continue to play a major role at El Fenn. There will be more space to house co-owner Vanessa Branson’s extensive and ever-expanding African art collection. The new renovation provides an even larger canvas for El Fenn’s owners to express their passion for the decorative and fine arts.

“The whole team here – my fellow owners, our wonderful front of house and behind the scenes teams – have come together to reopen El Fenn in the best possible way,’ says co-owner Vanessa Branson. ‘We are delighted to unveil an El Fenn that offers an even greater reflection of the rich culture of Morocco.”

RATES: El Fenn (el-fenn.com +212 524 44 1210), including breakfast and afternoon tea, costs from €250 per night. In early 2021, more expensive rooms will be priced at a flat rate of €350 and guests will be able to choose the exact room they want to stay in. This offer is valid until February 28, 2021 (excluding Dec 28 – Jan 3). The hotel is also introducing packages for digital remote working weeks and weddings.