Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech has teamed up with Italian fashion house Missoni to launch the Missoni Resort Club, a full redesign of the hotel's Pool Garden — and, according to the hotel, the first luxury pool takeover of its kind in the region.
The concept is straightforward: take one of Marrakech's most polished resorts, hand its poolside heart to a brand famous for zigzag knits and saturated stripes, and let guests linger all day. Missoni's creative director Alberto Caliri said the setting made the collaboration almost inevitable, describing the Pool Garden as a place where "color already feels architectural," with a composition of water, light and vegetation that lent itself to the brand's visual language. The result blends contemporary Italian design with traditional Moroccan craftsmanship rather than simply draping the space in signature patterns.
General manager Alain-Thomas Brière framed it as more than a visual refresh, calling it an immersive experience meant to be lived throughout the day — which, in practical terms, means a poolside setup designed for slow mornings, long lunches and golden-hour lounging under the Moroccan sun. The resort is also opening the space to the local Marrakech community, not just overnight guests.
For context, Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech sits in a 20-hectare garden estate just minutes from the medina, with its own spa, restaurants and rose-filled grounds — the sort of property where a redesigned pool club genuinely changes the holiday. And the timing makes sense: Marrakech has become one of North Africa's buzziest city-break destinations, pairing riad culture and souks with a fast-growing roster of high-end hotel openings.
Why it matters: if you're planning a Marrakech trip and weighing where to base yourself, this is a reason to look at the Mandarin Oriental specifically rather than defaulting to a riad in the medina. It suits travellers who want design-led luxury and space to switch off, with easy access to the old city when the mood strikes. Day visitors and locals may also be able to book into the club, making it a credible splurge for a single long pool day even if you're staying elsewhere.
Marrakech has seen plenty of hotel collaborations before, but a fashion house taking over an entire pool garden is a new move for the region — and it signals how far the city's luxury scene has shifted toward statement experiences rather than just opulent rooms.
