October 2006 - Magnificence, splendour and luxuriance are just a few of the utterances that will adorn your mind upon entering, TERRE �earth�, Marrakech�s latest, and most innovatively designed luxury five star spa resort. Opening in October 2006, Octogone Hotels has created a Moroccan masterpiece in TERRE, which is described as having the �serenity of a true palace�.

Delighting in the fruition of his dream resort, son of Cuban immigrants US born Owner, Christian Rivadalla, said, �It is wonderful to see the culmination of years of hard work coming to fruition. With TERRE I wanted to create a luxury resort, second to none with worldwide appeal, and I have. The backdrop of Marrakech provides a truly inspirational setting, and the resort has been developed to complement the surrounding landscape - you will genuinely not find anywhere else like it on earth.� 

Rivadalla continues, �The octagonal theme resounds throughout the whole resort, I decided upon the name Octogone Hotels because who wants to be square, referring to the traditional architecture found in Riads (villas) throughout Morocco.  We wanted to do something completely different, create a small city of luxury riads with the services of a five star luxury resort. Then, with this in mind, I sat down with our architectural and designer teams and we discussed how to continue the theme throughout. TERRE covers almost 12 acres of land and is made up of twenty complexes making 52 luxury suites of various sizes - all octagonal styled mansions � plus, octagonal shapes have been integrated into our craftsmanship, inspiring but still distinguishing it from anything ever seen. And, taking it to the extreme we�re even considering offering our clientele eight-handed massages for those who know how to enjoy and indulge in the ultimate dream.�

The first of eight planned luxury resorts across Morocco from Octogone Hotels, TERRE will employ 186 employees, equating to 4 to 5 employees per guest with the service described as �unobtrusive yet attentive�. With a view to welcoming the elite in service minded travellers into this unique new  boutique-style property, all guest suites have been built to ensure total privacy with not a single one being overlooked and, have been sympathetically designed using a combination of traditional and modern Moroccan style. 

The world class spa facilities have been designed to offer a mystical reflection of Marrakech and are set in the tranquil surroundings nestled behind the TERRE resort huge doors. These open to reveal an oasis of calm with palm trees, and citrus tress. TERRE provides a range of treatments from the Moroccan Royal massages which involves a four-handed hot oil massage by two therapists where the harmony of the movements create a unique holistic experience to its romantic private underground Octogone shaped Hammam, the ultimate experience in Gommage, where a cleanse in olive oil soap is followed by a therapeutic scrub with aromatic clay and completed with a wash down from buckets of water. 

Catering to elite international customers, the resort will offer all guests a number of innovative features that, Rivadalla explains, �will truly set us apart from other luxury resorts. For example, we�re offering cell phones upon request with the provision to make international calls, while away from the TERRE simple speed dial us -for any of our guests needs - all catered mini-bars will be free, plus each suite will house a tailor made guestbook of selective and approved activities, our beds are dream-like and we offer the finest of amenities, including private butler service. Our Royal villas even offer a private chef to prepare anything our guests wish. We don�t want our guests to worry about a single thing, in fact, they won�t even need to carry cash with them, all of our in-house services are on an honor system, just like if you were at home � the whole idea is that the trip away is tranquil, relaxing and rejuvenating, so we intend to take care of every little detail.�  

Within TERRE there are three cuisines offered, Moroccan, International and its newly released Cuban Moorish fusion restaurant named Milagros. Milagros is set to feature authentic Cuban cuisine flavoured by the spices and riches of Moorish food, set to a back drop of authentic Cuban soul and African beats. Regardless of the hour, TERRE  Anywhere Dining allows guests to enjoy a meal at any time regardless of what they want or where they�d like to eat, TERRE will even host a picnic at the onset of the Atlas mountain for an unforgettable experience.  

With a new highway between Casablanca and Marrakech planned for completion later this year, plus the ever growing populate and mystery of Morocco, not to mention the expansion of direct flights from more and more International and European destinations,  Rivadalla reveals that he is confidently anticipating a busy few years ahead. 

Lorraine Tandy
07876 505163
[email protected]