I like to keep tabs on the luxury points hotels that are in the pipeline, and usually I post about them when projects are first unveiled. So I was caught off guard when Marriott just announced the opening of its newest St. Regis, and it’s a property I hadn’t even heard of.
In this post:
Details of St. Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort Tamuda Bay
St. Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort is the brand’s newest property, as it has opened as of November 2023. The resort is located in Tamuda Bay, Morocco, and it’s the brand’s first property in Morocco, and only the second country in Africa to get a St. Regis, after Egypt (which has two St. Regis properties in Cairo).
The resort has a total of 100 accommodations, including 83 guest rooms and 17 suites, ranging from 345 square feet to 1,800 square feet. As far as hotel features and amenities go, here’s what you can expect:
- All rooms include St. Regis butler service, including garment pressing, packing and unpacking services, and the signature coffee service in the morning
- The property has a variety of dining outlets, including Baie Blanche Brasserie (a French brasserie with Moroccan influences), Bahia Vista Beach Bar & Grill (a beachside grill), the St. Regis Bar (inspired by the King Cole Bar at the St. Regis New York), and The Library (where afternoon tea is served)
- The resort offers a spa, an exercise room, a pool, and beach access
As the name suggests, the property is located in Tamuda Bay, on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco. Here’s how the design of the property is described:
Built as a private riad with intimate courtyards and lush gardens, the resort exudes Moroccan charm and pays tribute to the Andalucian cultural legacy of the area. The design echoes archetypal local white architecture and coastal scenes, translated into a palette of whites, neutrals and blues with bronze accents. Local craftsmanship is celebrated with intricate metalwork, mosaic zellige tiles and tadelakt-style textures. The curated art collection from local artists transports guests to the nearby Tetouan, acclaimed by UNESCO as Morocco’s best-preserved medina with its seven renowned gates, to the Rif mountains and the captivating landmarks of the coastal landscape, including the enigmatic Hercules Caves.
Tamuda Bay is located in the northeast of the country, not far from the Straight of Gibraltar. Tangier Airport is the closest major(ish) airport to the resort, and it’s about 70km away, and about a 90-minute drive.
Below are some pictures of the property, which I must say, looks gorgeous.
I’m tempted to visit. For those familiar with the region, what else is worth seeing in the area, and any other interesting hotels in the area to stay at?
St. Regis Tamuda Bay rates & points availability
How much will a stay at the St. Regis Tamuda Bay cost you? Currently nightly cash rates start at 2,448 MAD (~$240). By international standards, that’s some attractive pricing for a luxury property.
As a point of comparison, this property is really expensive if redeeming points, as the nightly rate is generally 74,500 Bonvoy points. Based on my valuation of 0.7 cents per Bonvoy point, that’s a way worse value than paying cash.
Bottom line
St. Regis’ newest property is located in Tamuda Bay, Morocco, and it’s a gorgeous 100-room beachfront resort. This looks like a great value property, at least based on what we know so far (I’m always a little skeptical when a property’s only pictures are renderings).
What do you make of the St. Regis Tamuda Bay? Any thoughts on a visit to the region?
Tamuda Bay is located northwest of the country, not the northeast as the hotel details mentioned above.
Lucky - you ask what else is worth seeing in the area. Why do you ask this?? You rarely step outside the confines of the hotel when visiting some place and stick to the restaurants in the hotel. I've expressed before that your reports (which are very good) could be so much better if you would add a little local flair. You rarely do this. I realize that you focus on the hotel - but...
Lucky - you ask what else is worth seeing in the area. Why do you ask this?? You rarely step outside the confines of the hotel when visiting some place and stick to the restaurants in the hotel. I've expressed before that your reports (which are very good) could be so much better if you would add a little local flair. You rarely do this. I realize that you focus on the hotel - but many of a destination's best things are OUTSIDE the hotel - especially when it comes to local foods and restaurants. I read your reports and get a good idea about the hotel in which your staying - but I rarely get a feel for the destination itself.
Are the people in Morocco friendly, or is it like in Egypt where everybody is as openly as unfriendly as possible and just tries to rip you off 24/7? On one hand the country has some spots that I would find interesting and some nice (points and non-points) hotel, but I do not want to feel unwelcome...
The people in Morocco are extremely friendly, even if they don't speak English. If you go visit a shop in Marrakech, they will insist you drink mint tea with them, even if you don't buy anything. You might run into a scammer here and there, but its rare. Morocco is wonderful!
Very odd, we went to Egypt with our family of six and found them to be very friendly and welcoming. Yes, they could be a little pushy on the selling side, but that doesn’t make them unwelcoming. We found the same was true in Morocco.
It's exactly the same as Egypt. Everyone wants your money and they are really pushy. Well maybe a little bit worst, it's the only place in the world where i have been randomly insulted by locals while just walking in Marrakech Medina.
The nearest airport to Tamuda Bay is Tetuán (you could take a helicopter ride across the Mediterranean from Málaga to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta with Helity). There are many hotels around that area:Banyan Tree T B, Sofitel T B, etc. Check the Ritz Carlton website too since they show one property in T B, may be under construction. The beautiful town of Chauen is not far from there.
-Tangier: Fairmont Tazi Palace
...
The nearest airport to Tamuda Bay is Tetuán (you could take a helicopter ride across the Mediterranean from Málaga to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta with Helity). There are many hotels around that area:Banyan Tree T B, Sofitel T B, etc. Check the Ritz Carlton website too since they show one property in T B, may be under construction. The beautiful town of Chauen is not far from there.
-Tangier: Fairmont Tazi Palace
-Rabat: Sofitel Jardin des Roses,
Rabat Marriot, Fairmont
La Marina Rabat-Salé. Ritz Carlton Rabat Dar es Salam is another property they show on their website that may be under construction as well.
And Marrakech with plenty of wonderful riads and five stars hotels.
It doesn’t appear bookable unless one holds a high bonvoy status… I get the message it is only available to “ qualified bonvoy members “, whatever that means… Not a great way to encourage me to marriotts new flagship resort within easy reach of my European home. I’m rather disappointed ☹️
Are you going to continue with your trip report to Japan?
As a regular to Morocco to surf I imagine this property will do quite well. A LOT of French and Spanish take their cars to Morocco to visit family and enjoy the relatively reasonable costs during the warmer months. Being so close for them in comparison to Agadir and Marrakesh this property will be a hit for sure.
I booked this hotel for our upcoming trip to Morocco. I can't wait to experience the beauty of this property! :)))
If you go to Morocco, you really need to try AnaYela in Marrakech. We tried but weren't able to stay there during our Morocco trip because they didn't have enough rooms available for our party of 8. Given that we would have taken up 80% of their total of 3 rooms and 2 suites, not terribly surprising.
going there in January and looking forward to it.
Morocco is great! Highly recommend a visit to see the whole country and agree on the royal mansour tip!
TTU airport is about 25 minutes drive. You can fly from Madrid on Ryanair or Royal Air Maroc from Casablanca.
What the hell do I want to go to a place like Morocco?... I'm sort of scared about going out there, but the wife is really nervous. I just see myself in a pot of boiling water with all these natives dancing around me.
Morocco has cities with universities dating back to 900AD. Their culture dates back far longer than ours. Moslems invented many things, and made advancements in medicine, astronomy, and mathematics among others. They had a far advanced standard of living while Europe was in the Middle Ages. Their country is founded on religion tolerance. You have nothing to worry about.
Also, let's not forget the two young women beheaded while visiting the Atlas Mountains 5 years ago.
In the same mode, lets not forget all the mass gun shootings in the United States. No other country has mass shootings every week. You are safer in Morocco than in a bowling alley in Lewiston Maine. You could be hit by a car in your hometown. You could die in your sleep.
I'm in Morocco a lot to visit loved ones.
Morocco has some fun and unique luxury properties, but the points scene is a little weird.
The top of all is the Royal Mansour in Marrakech, owned by the King of Morocco and absolutely jaw dropping. I encourage everyone who visits to at least go in for a drink or dinner.
I had this on my radar too. I think this hotel is more like ~100km away from the airport..and not the easiest to get to unless you have a car. Perhaps, there are others who know more about the landscape and can fill us in?