Egypt's top satirical poet dies at 84

By Sherif Ismail

CASABLANCA: Visiting this one of a kind resort, we initially thought it would be ‘just’ a five-star hotel but we soon realized that it was a gigantic edifice that is classified as one of the world’s most famous that may even surpass them all. It really deserves to be considered as a Moroccan and Arab iconic touristic

destination overlooking the Atlantic. Located near Al-Jadida historic city 90 km south of Casablanca, Mazagan Beach Resort is really an architectural wonder reminis-cent of the Red Palace in Granada, Spain.

In an exclusive interview with Kuwait Times, Mazagan Resort General Manager Stephan Killinger stressed that Mazagan is an exceptional experience for visitors be-cause the resort provides all recreational, relaxation and recuperation facilities that exceed those found in other touristic destinations worldwide. “In addition, the resort’s location enjoys moderate weather and charming nature all year long as well as provides GCC visitors, namely Kuwaitis, with unique services that are not available else-where,” Killinger stressed, noting that thanks to tourists from the UK, France and Italy, Mazagan’s occupancy rates have hit one hundred percent mostly all year long. “How-ever, we have ambitions to attract GCC tourists in general and Kuwaitis in particular,” stressed Killinger, underlining that all preparations have been accordingly made.

On her part, the Project Manager Communications and PR manager Soukaina Noceir said that the resort opened in 2009 at a total cost of $3 billion. “Located over an area of 250 acres, the resort includes an 18-hole golf club that was designed by Gary Player, a seven-kilometer beach, a variety of restaurants, a spa, outstanding facili-ties for sport and recreational activities and one of the largest conference centers in the region,” she said adding that the resort also has 67 luxurious villas that provide privacy for GCC families, especially Kuwaitis.

“The villas are located on and around the golf course overlooking the Atlantic, falls, lakes and swimming pools that provide the atmosphere of an oasis,” she explained, noting that the villas also have access to private recre-ational clubs and a sports camp that offers international facilities for professional sports training. She also stressed that the facilities include two training areas with a FIFA-approved football pitch, a soccer school supervised by the Paris Saint Germain club, multi-sport facilities, fully-equipped wellness centre, jogging circuit, conference centre and accommodation along with complete service for profession training requirements such as dedicated sports coordinators and security services.

Noceir added that the resort includes an international spa with special services for newlyweds, a Moroccan bath, massage and sauna by highly skilled personnel, a bike course, tennis courts, a shooting range, a fitness club in addition transport to and from the airport. Nocier said that the resort has spacious rooms that are divided into three categories. The first overlook the gardens and the magnificent swimming pool of the hotel. These Pool View rooms are very spacious (42 to 44 m²) and offer both comfort with a king-size bed and a luxury bathroom. She added that some rooms have double beds with French terraces and full recreational equipments such LED TVs, satellite TV channels, phone calls, free Internet and sepa-rate rooms for smokers and non-smokers.

“The second type of rooms has spectacular views of the golf, the forest and the ocean,” she said, noting that the Deluxe King Ocean (Partial) View rooms are very

spacious (42 m²) and offer both comfort and the perfect dimensions a guest would expect from an ideal living space - a large king-size bed with elegant bathroom including both a bathtub and walk-in shower. Noceir added that the third type of rooms - the Deluxe Twin Par-tial Ocean View rooms (44 m²) have two large queen-size beds with the same King Partial Ocean view amenities.

“As far as suites are concerned, we have four types with areas varying between 82 and 342 square meters. The first is the Magazan suite that is inspired by the Arabic-Moorish style. They offer a vast space covering 82 m², comprising of a bedroom and living area. The spec-tacular view of the golf course, the forest and the ocean is an invitation to relax in pure tranquility,” said Noceir.

Magazan Beach Resort meets the tastes of visitors coming from far and wide with its eight restaurants with the Olives Restaurant which is located in the heart of the resort near the garden and swimming pool. Lunch or din-ner may be served inside in chic and elegant surround-ings or on the terrace in the shade during the hottest parts of the day.

The second restaurant is the Marketplace Restaurant (Al-Souq) on the first floor of the Grand Riad Market Place that offers an outstanding view overlooking the courtyard gardens and swimming pool. Taking the form of sumptuous buffets, the colors and aromas of the Middle East, North Africa, India and Asia come together in perfect harmony.

For Moroccan cuisine lovers, the Morjana Restaurant would be the perfect choice where they can enjoy a subtle blend of tradition and innovation in both cuisine and presentation. From famous tajines and seafood pas-tillas to couscous royal and kebabs or delicious pastries, every dish is a delight. Morjana is also located on the first floor of the Grand Riad.

There is also the Club House Restaurant on the edge of the golf course facing the Atlantic Ocean. Those who like dinning in the open can enjoy the Oasis Pool restaurant which is a great place to chill out during the day in the sunshine, offering poolside service for ultimate relaxation. There is also the Chiringuito Beach Club that serves a variety of international cuisines.

Residents can also explore Morocco during their stay through excursions to the city formerly known as Mazagan, now renamed El Jadida (new) which has architectural trea-sures including a Portuguese city, stone cistern, an authen-tic medina and a souk and a fish market. Visitors can also visit small towns such as Azemmour which is surrounded by ramparts overlooking the Oued Oum Rbia. It was governed by the Portuguese in the fifteenth century and accordingly, the medina of Azemmour has kept its cachet. Visitors can also go further to Casablanca and Safi, which is famous for its seafood dishes. They can also visit Marrakech, the first touristic city in Morocco and northern Africa.

Moroccan hospitality icon by the Atlantic Moroccan hospitality icon by the Atlantic

A view of the resort’s interior, building and the oasis swimming pools.— Photos by Sherif Ismail

The Sel De Mer Seafood restaurantLuxury and ambassador Suites zone

Morjana Restaurant for Moroccan cuisineThe woods, gardens and falls zone

Conference hall equipped with high-end technology Water park

The main entrance designed according to An-dalusian architectural design

The Club House Restaurant on the edge of the golf course Market place Restaurant Kids Club Four floors, the hotel’s 490 rooms

Kids Club fully equipped with toys, babysitters, teachers and instructors to handle your kids while you relax.

Ocean View rooms are very spacious and offer both com-fort and the perfect dimensions.

Mazagan Spa Interior Hall

37WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2013