Simply Abu Dhabi XXII

1 1 3 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I The Riads It’s immediately apparent from the building and grounds alone that this is an enchanted place – and that’s before you’ve even arrived at your living quarters. But if you can bear to leave the gardens, and make your way to your riad, you’ll find your own private domain, a sanctuary of peerless refinement. Upon your arrival, a butler will accompany you to your door, which leads to an interior courtyard and, off that, a sitting room (and in bigger riads, a dining room). On the first floor, the bedrooms and bathrooms open onto a gallery looking down into the courtyard. Then there’s your private roof terrace, with plunge pool, fireplace, and a tented space for private hammam treatments. Each of the riads has been individually furnished by craftsmen to demonstrate the infinite variety of Moroccan decorative arts. Every riad is different, owing to the selection of furniture and the way it is arranged, the choice of fabrics and colours, and the lighting design. Incorporated into these traditional interiors is cutting-edge tech designed to ensure guests’ comfort, such as the smart air-con system or a touchscreen-controlled retractable glass roof poised to cover the courtyard terrace at the first drop of rain. The Art of Service Guests at the Royal Mansour tend to feel an instant connection with their private riad, spending a lot of time at home during their stay. The butler’s role is enhanced by a superb backstage team, who in turn rely on an ingenious system of underground tunnels. These allow staff to access the riads swiftly and discreetly, invisibly ensuring guests’ comfort, and taking great care to respect their privacy. Thus the art of service at the Royal Mansour reaches a degree of refinement that goes above and beyond the traditional hotelier’s rulebook. The spa bathing rituals are at the heart of traditional Moroccan culture; the physical wellbeing they bring to the body lightens soul and spirit. The Royal Mansour’s spa is entered via an impressive atrium of whitewashed wrought iron, its height and luminosity instantly creating a beautiful, calming atmosphere.