Following the successful opening of Taj Cape Town in 2010, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is now raising its presence in North Africa with plans to manage a new property in Marrakech, Morocco.

The Taj Palace Marrakech is set to launch in autumn 2011 and will increase Taj’s international portfolio to 17 hotels.

The property will be hoping to replicate the success of the group’s other properties, which include Taj Palace Hotel New Delhi, voted “Asia’s Leading Meetings & Conference Hotel” at 2010 World Travel Awards.

The management agreement has been signed with JK Hotels, a private Moroccan company.

With 161 guestrooms, including 25 Grand Suites and one Royal Suite, the majestic palace hotel will offer unsurpassed luxury and panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains and palm gardens of the lush Palmeraie district.

American designer Stuart Church has created the interiors and architecture with exquisite attention to detail and splendour of local artistry. The rooms take on a diverse style, drawing inspiration from the noble Berber Kasbahs of Morocco, the splendour of Ottoman architecture, exotic Oriental influences and the richness of Indian pageantry.

Taj Palace Marrakech will feature several elegantly-designed restaurants and bars serving a range of cuisine from Moroccan specialties to the finest flavours of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine.

The hotel will also house an extensive Jiva Grande Spa spread across 3,800 square meters, with 14 treatment rooms including Ayurveda, two large hammams and a state-of-the-art fitness centre with ‘Technogym’ equipment.

Speaking on the occasion, Raymond N. Bickson, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, The Indian Hotels Company Limited, said: “Taj Palace Marrakech, is our latest venture into the African continent and is in sync with our strategy to continue our vision of growth in key international destinations. The hotel will fit perfectly in our portfolio with its meticulously crafted and vivid blend of Moroccan, Indian and Asian themes. Marrakech is rich in culture and tradition and is increasingly becoming a most desired leisure destination.”

On the partnership with Taj, Jaouad Kadiri, owner of JK Hotels, said: “Taj Hotels’ is a legendary chain and we are delighted with this association. Under the Taj management, our guests will experience the most exacting standards of world class hospitality. We look forward to a mutually rewarding relationship.”

Part Arab and part African, Marrakech is the heartbeat of Morocco, where palaces and monuments of unrivalled refinement sit calmly alongside Gnaoua drums pulsing constantly from the Jemaah el Fna Square – the most exuberant marketplace in the world. Ideally located at the foothills of the majestic Atlas Mountains, one can explore the quaint Moroccan villages, different cultures and the picturesque valleys.

Marrakech is easily accessible from all major international locations and Taj Palace Marrakech is located just 30 minutes from the international airport.