“At last!”. That’s what the Shoelifer team thought when they crossed the doors of the Royal Mansour Casablanca, which reopened on April 15th. After eight years of titanic renovation, this mythical location  from the 1950s has come back to life. And thus, it endows the pulsating heart of the economic capital with a very (very) beautiful urban palace, located at 27 Avenue des Forces Armées Royales (FAR).

In 1951, the year of its grand opening,  the Royal Mansour Casablanca, the first five-star hotel in the metropolis, symbolized the modernity of the White City. It had become the essential meeting place for the elite, celebrities, and other global personalities.  Seventy-three years later, the Royal Mansour Casablanca is a kind of contemporary revival of that golden age. And it intends to breathe new life into this Art Deco business district, nestled between the port and the medina.

At first glance, the uniform of the valets and bellboys sets the tone. It’s a “retro-nostalgic aesthetic à la Wes Anderson,” as described by the Royal Mansour Casablanca.

 The universe of this urban palace brilliantly blends Art Deco style, sleek design, and majestic curves, all punctuated by contemporary artworks  by artists from around the world. Among them is a stylized map of Casablanca seen from above, crafted like a contemporary marquetry in glass, mirror, brass, and copper,  by artist Charles Kalpakian. Brass, an iconic element of Art Deco style, is omnipresent at the Royal Mansour Casablanca. Just like wood and marble, it is reminiscent of the luxury of transatlantic ocean liners.

From Palace to Ocean Liner

“Ocean liner” is indeed the term that comes to mind because the Royal Mansour Casablanca is a juggernaut.  In total, it consists of 23 floors, 149 rooms, suites, and private apartments, four restaurants, and a bar. Plus, it has a spa sprawling across two floors and over 2500 square meters (complete with a hammam, hair salon, and a plethora of wellness and skincare treatments), poised to become one of the new hotspots for beauty enthusiasts in the city.

But the Royal Mansour Casablanca also boasts six meeting and conference rooms, a business lounge, and a spectacular ballroom with a gold leaf ceiling capable of accommodating 450 people. It’s a city within the city, and resolutely luxurious and glamorous. Yet, the spirit of the place is (and feels) profoundly convivial, far from being stuffy.

The editorial team loved the rooms, exuding incredible elegance (plus ultra-comfy bedding). The design, inspired by the 1950s, brings together the conventions  of urban, chic, and contemporary Casablanca, with a vintage twist. In the bathrooms (featuring both a bathtub and a large shower), there’s again remarkable marquetry work combining white marble, pink marble, and brass. A nice touch: a dressing room equipped with an automatic watch winder. Another highlight: the breakfast croissants, simply delicious (a rare enough occurrence to be noted).

New spots in town

True to its roots, the Royal Mansour Casablanca caters to businesswomen and businessmen as well as tourists. But it also aims to be a place of life and encounters for urbanites, especially those from Casablanca and Rabat. In the slang of the 1950s, it’s referred to as the “hub of waves”.

The establishment boasts four restaurants. On the ground floor, there’s La Brasserie by Eric Fréchon (chef of the Epicure restaurant at the Le Bristol hotel in Paris, awarded 3 Michelin stars). Throughout the day, you can enjoy the best of classic French cuisine, with a focus on seafood (Oualidia oysters, lobsters, etc.). And you can take advantage of the terrace overlooking the patio, designed as a winter garden.

Also opening onto the patio is the Sushi Bar by Keiji Matoba, an authentic Japanese chef. A chic and intimate restaurant, where a brigade of Japanese sushi masters performs in front of our eyes to create exquisite sushi, sashimi, and other  makis. Not to mention the desserts —  absolutely heavenly. Classic but effective (and generous).

On the 23rd floor: La Grande Table Marocaine by Karim Ben Baba. A tribute to the best of Moroccan gastronomy, it offers  a 360-degree view over the entire city of Casablanca, the Hassan II Mosque, and the ocean. Between a bite of blue lobster from Oualidia and a sip of  peach m’quila, you can admire the legendary Art Deco heritage of Casa from above.

Last but not least, the 23rd floor houses a fourth establishment, Le Rooftop, dedicated to Mediterranean cuisine with an evolving concept. Chic & chill, with an exceptional panoramic view of the city and the Atlantic (which will quickly become the place to be in our humble opinion). It’s perfect for an aperitif at sunset or a romantic dinner. If you’re not prone to vertigo, you can access these two establishments via a glass walkway, for an even better view.

Very attentive to detail, the Royal Mansour Casablanca has chosen tableware designed by Bernardaud. While the cutlery, especially the chopsticks at the Sushi Bar, are designed by Christofle. So chic!

The Bar, on the ground floor, is designed as a place conducive to confidential or intimate meetings. We love its warm and theatrical atmosphere, worthy of the great American bars, where you can either enjoy a club sandwich on the go or sip on a signature cocktail. We bet many of you have already planned a visit to the Royal Mansour Casablanca…

Read also : RESTAURANTS IN CASABLANCA: 5 NEW PLACES TO TRY

Picture : Royal Mansour Casablanca