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All over the world,
there are remarkable hotels
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born of bold vision and daring endeavor.
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Oh, my goodness, look at that.
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Whether it's an epic structure
housing a sky park
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the length of the Eiffel tower…
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This is definitely the biggest space
I've ever been inside.
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{\an8}…or a glass box perched
in the cloud forest.
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-Look at that view.
-Wow.
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They're all products of innovation,
creativity and hard graft.
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The people running these hotels
strive to create the perfect sanctuary.
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But what does it take to offer
once-in-a-lifetime experiences…
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in stunning locations.
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To build a hotel in a place like this,
everybody thinks I'm crazy.
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In total we have about
160,000 pieces of uniform.
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Oh, my word.
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I'm a restaurant writer,
newspaper columnist and critic.
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I have opinions on just about everything.
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What a mad place to build a hotel.
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Feel like Scott of the Antarctic
and it did not end well for him.
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And I'm a chef who's worked
for the top end
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of the hospitality industry
for, well, over 20 years.
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How many opportunities do you get to cook
breakfast with elephants and giraffes?
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We'll travel to amazing hotels
in every corner of the world.
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To spend time getting to know
the people working away behind the scenes.
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When did you last have
a full night's sleep?
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I don't remember.
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-Really?
-Yes.
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-Hooray!
-Yes!
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You're the engineer,
you're like Scotty in Star Trek.
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Precisely, I've been called that.
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Join us as we venture inside…
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The world's most extraordinary hotels.
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Marrakesh is one of the most beguiling
cities in North Africa.
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Once the capital of an Arab empire
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that stretched across
the Mediterranean to Spain,
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for many centuries it was used
by Moroccan kings
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to showcase their culture to the world.
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And that's the tradition
that today's king,
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Mohammed VI, wants to revive.
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The luxurious hotel he has built,
Royal Mansour.
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We represent the kingdom, you are staying
in the showcase of the kingdom.
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The man tasked with implementing
the royal vision
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is Managing Director Jean Claude Maison.
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Ambition is very simple here
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and it's very easy to explain to the staff
the ambition, it's to be number one.
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For the next few days we're joining
Jean Claude and his staff
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to find out how they deliver
that ambition and whether it succeeds.
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-Good morning.
-Good day too and very welcome.
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And with Monica in her office clothes,
I'm feeling a little bit under dressed.
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Welcome to Central Marrakesh
and Royal Mansour.
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This is a hotel where staff can
outnumber guests by ten to one.
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We'll be looked after
by our very own butler, Mohammed.
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You are very welcome to Royal Mansour.
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I will be pleased
to be your butler during your stay.
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-Thank you.
-And, it's--
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-You're our butler just for us?
-Yes sir.
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Just a stone's throw away
from the teaming heart of the city,
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Royal Mansour is a peaceful haven.
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It's made up of 53 separate residences
known as riads.
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The traditional Moroccan riad
is designed for privacy.
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Facing inwards to a central courtyard,
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it therefore, suits the needs
of the presidents,
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diplomats and a listers
who can afford to stay here.
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Spending between 1,000
and a staggering 35,000 pounds per night.
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-Welcome to your riad, Mr. Coren.
-Look at this. It's amazing.
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-This is all mine?
-Yes, sir.
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All 3,000 pounds per night's worth of it.
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-The living room.
-This is so beautiful.
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-This is the guest room, sir.
-Very nice.
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The first floor, madam.
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I've never had so much space
to myself before.
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To understand the levels
of service expected of them,
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Royal Mansour staff
are given a guest experience.
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So, Mohammed, you said
you've stayed in the riad like this.
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-I did madam and--
-How did you find that?
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It transported me from my house
to the hotel in the hotel's car.
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Welcome me in the main entrance
the same welcome
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that we do for any of the guests.
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I still remember that feeling I got.
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-Being special.
-Nobody can explain it.
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Unless you try it,
unless you live it yourself.
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Guests Victoria and Antoine
are accustomed to exclusive hotels.
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But this is their first experience
of the Royal Mansour.
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The Royal Mansour allows
a sense of wonder,
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there's a grandeur
to walking through the doors
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and feeling like you're entering
somewhere magical.
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But what's interesting about this hotel
is how the magic is created.
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And for that, we have
to go behind the scenes.
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-So Mr. Coren welcome to the undergrounds.
-You can call me Giles now.
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As part of its drive for absolute privacy,
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the Royal Mansour has taken the palace
tradition of upstairs downstairs
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and rolled it out on a monumental scale.
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It's like Downton Abbey meets Aladdin
with a bit of James Bond for good measure.
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00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:16,400
There's a car. Can we go in one of those?
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No wonder they need those golf carts,
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there are more than a thousand
of meters of tunnels here
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mirroring the plan of the hotel above.
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It's here that the 500 staff
go about their duties.
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Laundering and pressing
300 staff uniforms every single day.
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Cutting and arranging the weekly delivery
of 7,000 fresh roses.
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And all this for just 53 riads.
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Is it a problem with staff getting lost?
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-Yes, of course.
-Do people quite often order breakfast
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and then the guy just disappears for hours
and they phone down and go.
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00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:53,200
Yeah, for the new ones,
it happens sometimes.
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Every riad has a private service entrance
on each of its three floors.
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This allows staff to appear as if by magic
wherever they're required
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enabling the upmost discretion
for butlers like Mohammed
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and his new apprentice.
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Okay. So this way?
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-Yes.
-Easy to get lost.
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My first lesson from Mohammed
presents a bit of a challenge for me.
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Learning how to treat people like VIPs.
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So you have to respect some protocols.
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For example, you have to respect
the distance, at least you leave--
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-A special distance, so when you say…
-No, sorry, you have,
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you have entered into his area.
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-You don't stand this close to a person.
-One meter 60.
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-Really?
-Yes.
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-One meter 60, that's about.
-One meter 60.
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-This is okay.
-Now you can speak to him.
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-Really?
-Yes you don't have to speak toxic words.
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For example, we never say no.
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-You never say no?
-We never say no.
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He would ask, for example,
for a something which we don't have,
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you don't say no but you explain
that we have something else instead.
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So if he says "I'd like some caviar",
you can say "Excellent choice,
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we actually have pringles."
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-Something like that.
-That sort of thing.
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Sort of thing.
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I don't think I'm quite ready
to be let loose on Mohammed's VIP guests,
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but having found out that they've
left their riad, he's sneaked me in
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to show me how he prepares it
for their return.
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-We don't walk across the bathroom.
-Okay.
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00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:37,919
And we walk around the…
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The edge of the carpet
but not on the carpet?
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Yes, not on the carpet.
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Okay.
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You just…
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We can't use that.
I'm really sorry I would…
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Is it a special…
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-Because it's prepared by…
-Oh, I see.
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It's already prepared by
the housekeeping, we cannot--
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We can't sit on it.
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Yeah, we cannot ruin what
the others have done.
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Okay. Sorry.
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That's so weird, I was, sorry.
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I was totally expecting to come out into
the sunshine of the beautiful courtyard,
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I completely forgotten that we were
just appearing in the underground
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of warren again. That's so strange.
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Giles isn't the only one who has to dress
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in a uniform
inspired by Moroccan tradition.
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Ta-da!
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I am joining the housekeeping team
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reporting to Executive House Keeper
Laurence Jaspard.
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What do you think?
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It's beautiful.
You look like a room attendant.
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-A room attendant?
-You are the perfect one, and then
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for what I need you
to speak French as well.
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Yes.
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Laurence began her career
at the Paris Ritz,
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and has worked in some of the world's
most exclusive hotels.
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She has responsibility for maintaining
the Royal Mansour's exacting standards.
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At the Royal Mansour everything
is about elegance and beauty.
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Laurence leads a team
of 44 room attendants,
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quietly and discreetly, they have
elevated housekeeping into an art form.
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From wiping perfumed
essential oil on drawers…
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When the guests open, it smell good.
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…and even telephones.
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To brushing unique palm patterns
into velvet chairs,
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or combing the fringes of rugs.
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It have to perfect
and we work hard for this.
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Every little detail
is extremely important.
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I've been given the task
of preparing a riad
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to get a sense
of the level of detail required.
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So in the room we have more a style
of putting the cushion like this
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and doing even more like this,
in here it's really like this shape
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and then we need really to find
the right match, the right color.
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-So today we remove all of them.
-You remove all of them?
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-Just for you.
-I'm lucky.
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Because then you have to put them back.
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To maintain a sense of magic,
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the housekeeping team
aim for invisibility.
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Tipped off by butlers
when their guests have left the riad,
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they slip in using the service tunnels.
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Cleaning, rearranging and refreshing.
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And it's not just in the morning,
it could be several times a day.
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The slightest deviation from perfection
and unplumped or wonky cushions
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say will be fixed
for the guests on their return.
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It's not easy to make them
stand on the corner.
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-Do you maybe need some help?
-No. Yes.
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I'll need some help with this too.
Showing love to curtains.
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The curtain here are extremely,
extremely nice, as you can see,
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so we have to put them like,
we need to show them.
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00:12:06,280 --> 00:12:07,800
-Making pleats.
-Exactly, yes.
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00:12:08,760 --> 00:12:10,600
Well I've never caressed a drape before.
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So much more to tying a drape back.
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Than you know, one would presume.
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There are 350 pairs of curtains
in the Royal Mansour
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00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:43,640
and each one gets the same level
of personal attention,
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that's 350 instances
of untangling, pleating
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00:12:47,520 --> 00:12:49,880
and of course caressing every single day.
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00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:52,400
I think it's a really, really good start.
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Tomorrow will be perfect.
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I think I might be busy
doing something else tomorrow?
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00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:12,920
There's something a little disorientating
about waking up upstairs as Mr. Coren
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and being treated like a king
by my butler.
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00:13:16,840 --> 00:13:18,400
-Thank you.
-You're welcome, sir.
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00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:22,960
Knowing that the day ahead will be
spent downstairs as Giles the worker.
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00:13:23,040 --> 00:13:28,200
Mr. Coren, you will be spending some time
with Akram, the chauffeur.
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-Jolly good. Excellent.
-You have this for today, sir.
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00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:34,880
That looks fine. Can you give it
a little press, perhaps?
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00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:36,880
-Just a little press.
-Immediately, sir.
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00:13:37,560 --> 00:13:39,240
-Thank you very much.
-You're welcome.
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00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:44,040
Royal Mansour luxury begins
when guests are met at the airport
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00:13:44,120 --> 00:13:46,080
by one of the hotel's chauffeurs.
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00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:47,920
First impressions count
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00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:51,920
so this is a key front line role
for me to experience.
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As well as another awesome uniform.
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-Really suits you, sir.
-Is it?
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00:13:56,560 --> 00:13:58,600
-Can I just have one moment, sir?
-Yeah, sure.
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00:13:59,200 --> 00:14:01,120
The ladies do love a chauffeur.
223
00:14:01,880 --> 00:14:04,560
-They do, sir.
-They love a uniform, they love a car.
224
00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:07,560
Yes and your little beard, sir.
225
00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:09,840
-My little beard?
-Yes.
226
00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:16,160
Oh dear, we're out of the magic kingdom,
aren't we?
227
00:14:16,240 --> 00:14:18,160
Into the service area.
228
00:14:18,240 --> 00:14:20,960
-Yes, sir.
-The dream is over.
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00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:25,720
In the nerve center of the magic kingdom,
230
00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:28,040
I've arranged to meet manager Jean Claude
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00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:30,680
to find out what drew him
to the Royal Mansour.
232
00:14:31,560 --> 00:14:32,560
Bonjour.
233
00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:33,680
Bonjour. Good morning.
234
00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:38,040
Jean Claude has managed
some of the world's finest hotels
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00:14:38,120 --> 00:14:41,640
including the St. James Club in London,
Hotel De Crillon in Paris,
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00:14:41,720 --> 00:14:44,720
and the Hotel Metropole in Monaco.
237
00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:48,200
No sooner have I sat down it becomes clear
that he's very much in demand.
238
00:14:48,280 --> 00:14:51,840
I always seem to notice you
somewhere in the hotel
239
00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:54,120
whether I notice you
disappearing in the lobby,
240
00:14:54,200 --> 00:14:55,840
I see you passing in the restaurant,
241
00:14:55,920 --> 00:14:57,760
you seem to be everywhere
at the same time.
242
00:14:58,600 --> 00:14:59,920
It's important to be visible.
243
00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:01,680
You need to be seen.
244
00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:04,840
Some people--
245
00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:07,520
It's my phone. Sorry.
246
00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:20,880
Sorry, we have to go.
247
00:15:22,400 --> 00:15:24,040
Come with me?
248
00:15:24,120 --> 00:15:26,800
-Rush.
-You need to rush?
249
00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:28,240
I'm starting to understand
250
00:15:28,320 --> 00:15:31,400
here, Jean Claude has an almost
diplomatic role.
251
00:15:32,360 --> 00:15:35,680
He's never more than a phone call away
from a royal or official duty.
252
00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:39,920
It's a job where we meet
extraordinary people, you know,
253
00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:43,880
we're looking at the top hundred
of this world, a guest could walk in,
254
00:15:43,960 --> 00:15:46,960
could be someone important,
could be a head of state
255
00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:49,880
and you have to be there
and to be at the front.
256
00:15:49,960 --> 00:15:54,840
You've got to be fit. Just sprinted down
the stairs and out there,
257
00:15:55,440 --> 00:16:01,400
I could do the same but I'd like
to see him do it in six-inch heels.
258
00:16:01,480 --> 00:16:04,280
Sorry, fortunately, 20 minutes.
259
00:16:07,680 --> 00:16:11,760
It's a 7 days a week job,
it's a 24 hours a day job.
260
00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:15,800
I couldn't work in a bank
or I couldn't work,
261
00:16:15,880 --> 00:16:18,800
in a place where everything shut down
at 5 o'clock and you go home.
262
00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:24,400
So if you start your day 7, 7:30
when will you see your, your pillow again?
263
00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:26,720
Depending on the day, could be anytime
264
00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:29,760
between 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
Depends on the day.
265
00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:33,440
-Yeah.
-I come from a middle class background.
266
00:16:33,520 --> 00:16:38,320
I was a very happy boy
and I did my National Service in France,
267
00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:40,960
I was a butler
of the French Prime Minister.
268
00:16:41,560 --> 00:16:44,480
And I discovered a new world,
with him I was traveling,
269
00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:46,640
I went to the Pope in Italy,
270
00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:49,200
to the Vatican, I mean
I entered a new life.
271
00:16:50,120 --> 00:16:57,120
I managed some great hotels worldwide
and when this one came about,
272
00:16:57,200 --> 00:17:00,320
you know, it was a job
you just could not refuse.
273
00:17:00,400 --> 00:17:03,520
Perhaps part of the appeal
was the seemingly limitless budget
274
00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:05,560
that Jean Claude has to play with.
275
00:17:10,359 --> 00:17:14,400
Take the hotels fleet
of ten chauffeur driven luxury vehicles
276
00:17:14,480 --> 00:17:17,119
including two custom-built Bentley's.
277
00:17:18,160 --> 00:17:20,560
As the first hotel representative
to meet guests,
278
00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:23,560
the chauffeurs are ambassadors,
all are highly trained
279
00:17:23,640 --> 00:17:26,400
and must speak Arabic, French and English.
280
00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:32,240
To understand the chauffeur's role
and the strict protocols that govern it,
281
00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:34,400
I'm spending this morning with Akram,
282
00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:37,560
one of the Royal Mansour's
most experienced chauffeurs.
283
00:17:39,240 --> 00:17:40,400
-Hi.
-Hi.
284
00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:42,640
Mr. Coren, let me introduce you, Akram.
285
00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:45,120
Hi, Akram. Call me Giles.
286
00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:48,960
There must be over a million pounds
worth of cars down here.
287
00:17:49,040 --> 00:17:51,760
No wonder Akram
takes such good care of them.
288
00:17:51,840 --> 00:17:54,120
So is that's so people
can clean their hands
289
00:17:54,200 --> 00:17:55,880
and then if they you know, if they--
290
00:17:55,960 --> 00:17:58,600
-No, that's for the car.
-If they--
291
00:17:58,680 --> 00:18:01,440
So to have a special… to clean the car.
292
00:18:01,520 --> 00:18:03,440
But if they come
with their hands are clean
293
00:18:03,520 --> 00:18:06,120
and they haven't wiped their hands
and they go like that.
294
00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:10,120
So that's what, we always use the cloths.
295
00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:12,600
I see but even if my hands
are really clean, it's…
296
00:18:12,680 --> 00:18:14,480
Yes, it's always clean.
297
00:18:16,640 --> 00:18:18,760
I need you at home to just follow me
around my house.
298
00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:21,760
How do we shut the boot
if we're not allowed to touch it?
299
00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:23,120
Okay so we can, then we can.
300
00:18:25,840 --> 00:18:28,560
That's amazing so then you can
close it without touching it.
301
00:18:28,640 --> 00:18:30,160
Oh, my goodness.
302
00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:37,960
Akram has reluctantly allowed me
to get behind the wheel.
303
00:18:38,560 --> 00:18:41,360
But as with the butlering
I'm having to unlearn behavior
304
00:18:41,440 --> 00:18:43,200
I've become accustomed to.
305
00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:46,760
After all there could be
a VIP in the backseat.
306
00:18:46,840 --> 00:18:48,440
Okay.
307
00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:58,680
There's also the fine art
of permissible conversation.
308
00:19:24,720 --> 00:19:26,760
{\an8}Listen to that baby growl.
309
00:19:31,280 --> 00:19:33,800
I'm desperate to get beyond
the hotel grounds
310
00:19:33,880 --> 00:19:38,120
but Akram doesn't think I'm quite ready
for the mean streets of Marrakesh.
311
00:19:38,840 --> 00:19:41,000
Or is it Marrakesh
that isn't ready for me.
312
00:19:41,080 --> 00:19:44,880
Can I slide over the top like in the,
you know like the Dukes of Hazard. No?
313
00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:49,320
Anyway just beyond the hotel walls
is the Medina
314
00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:51,400
and it's a very different place.
315
00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:57,880
It's a reminder that one of the world's
most luxurious hotels
316
00:19:57,960 --> 00:19:59,920
is in a developing country.
317
00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:03,040
There's a lot of horses and donkeys
and there's people on mopeds
318
00:20:03,120 --> 00:20:04,520
and they don't respect the rules at all,
319
00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:06,880
the roundabouts seem to be
make it up as you go along.
320
00:20:06,960 --> 00:20:10,160
He talks about…
321
00:20:18,920 --> 00:20:23,520
Given that the national income per head
is 14 times lower than in the UK
322
00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:26,360
it's not surprising
that we're attracting attention.
323
00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:31,560
This car alone is worth 60 times more
than a year's wages for most Moroccans.
324
00:21:03,360 --> 00:21:05,320
What about those terrible people of Towie?
325
00:21:10,320 --> 00:21:14,120
Of course, Akram would never tell me
how his mystery VIP guests feel
326
00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:17,360
seeing the real Marrakesh
from the window of a Bentley.
327
00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:20,640
But the contrast is certainly a stark one.
328
00:21:24,440 --> 00:21:27,960
I think from a morning
of chauffeuring around Marrakesh
329
00:21:28,040 --> 00:21:32,560
in a champagne-colored Bentley
with wonderful Akram,
330
00:21:32,640 --> 00:21:35,680
the thing that I've learned
is the job of the chauffeur is very much
331
00:21:35,760 --> 00:21:39,960
like the job of everyone else,
it's to keep you closeted
332
00:21:40,040 --> 00:21:43,200
and quiet and calm and well-watered
and air-conditioned,
333
00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:46,840
in a position where you can see Morocco
and you're aware that you're in Morocco
334
00:21:46,920 --> 00:21:49,760
but you can't touch it
and it can't touch you
335
00:21:49,840 --> 00:21:53,320
and while it's a very beautiful thing,
it is very slightly frustrating
336
00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:58,760
and I find myself back here closeted again
in what is essentially a giant Bentley
337
00:21:58,840 --> 00:22:00,840
with a view of Marrakesh.
338
00:22:03,960 --> 00:22:07,760
Being closeted to this extent
might work for the guests of a King,
339
00:22:07,840 --> 00:22:11,400
royalty and presidents,
A-list stars or captains of industry.
340
00:22:11,480 --> 00:22:14,720
But that's not necessarily
what all the hotels guests want.
341
00:22:16,480 --> 00:22:19,760
One of my favorite things when I travel
is to speak to other guests,
342
00:22:19,840 --> 00:22:22,520
that's where I make my friends
in public environments
343
00:22:22,600 --> 00:22:25,920
but this hotel tends
to have you inside your riad,
344
00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:30,120
although we are within the city walls
and the city is just a few meters away
345
00:22:30,200 --> 00:22:32,800
I feel like I'm supposed to be in my riad.
346
00:22:34,640 --> 00:22:38,640
You have a very great service
when you are inside your riad
347
00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:41,120
but there is no social life,
348
00:22:41,200 --> 00:22:44,480
I can say when you get out of the room
and you want to go to the bar.
349
00:22:46,400 --> 00:22:49,560
All of the ingredients are here,
the place and the setting are here,
350
00:22:49,640 --> 00:22:53,680
the service is here,
it's just we're waiting for the vibe.
351
00:22:53,760 --> 00:22:56,080
The truth is that no amount of beauty
352
00:22:56,160 --> 00:22:59,200
and luxury can make you feel
truly comfortable.
353
00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:08,240
Back in my riad, I'm finding that
the privacy can be a bit isolating.
354
00:23:16,120 --> 00:23:19,880
And even if I were to venture out
to the beautiful chic bar, say,
355
00:23:19,960 --> 00:23:24,520
or the ornate library, the chances
are I wouldn't see another soul.
356
00:23:28,720 --> 00:23:31,680
But this problem isn't lost
on the hotel management.
357
00:23:32,760 --> 00:23:37,280
Yes we have a very beautiful hotel
but that's not sufficient.
358
00:23:37,360 --> 00:23:42,200
It's how do we make one of the most
beautiful hotel in the world,
359
00:23:42,280 --> 00:23:44,440
one of the best hotel in the world?
360
00:23:44,520 --> 00:23:49,200
Well, with access to royal funds and many
years of international luxury experience,
361
00:23:49,760 --> 00:23:51,360
Jean Claude has a vision.
362
00:23:52,440 --> 00:23:55,000
In an extravagant bid to soften
the image of the hotel
363
00:23:55,080 --> 00:23:59,560
and change its atmosphere, the Royal
Mansour is undergoing a transformation.
364
00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:05,240
A new more prominent entrance
is being created by opening a gate
365
00:24:05,800 --> 00:24:10,440
in the 12th century city walls.
Try doing that if you're not the king.
366
00:24:11,800 --> 00:24:16,280
But the centerpiece is La Jardine,
a new one and a half hectare garden
367
00:24:16,360 --> 00:24:18,520
that has been eight months in the making.
368
00:24:19,840 --> 00:24:25,000
There's a new 30 meter pool surrounded
by glassy outward looking pavilions
369
00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:29,960
and adjacent to these, an open
and informal pool bar and restaurant.
370
00:24:30,880 --> 00:24:33,800
It's a radical change
from the existing hotel.
371
00:24:35,120 --> 00:24:36,560
But one thing it has in common
372
00:24:36,640 --> 00:24:40,800
is the aim to create a brand new space
that feels well-established.
373
00:24:41,560 --> 00:24:48,240
Over the past ten days
we've planted 25,000 bedding plants.
374
00:24:49,760 --> 00:24:51,680
I don't know how we did it, but we did it.
375
00:24:51,760 --> 00:24:56,440
Outside of the main gate,
could you add more bedding plant there?
376
00:24:56,520 --> 00:25:00,360
I would like to do it today and tomorrow.
377
00:25:01,680 --> 00:25:03,480
-Good luck.
-Okay, thank you.
378
00:25:04,520 --> 00:25:07,640
Morocco's fabulous gardens
with their olive and palm trees
379
00:25:07,720 --> 00:25:09,800
take hundreds of years to mature.
380
00:25:10,560 --> 00:25:15,240
But mother nature's work can be speeded up
in the magical world of the Royal Mansour.
381
00:25:15,320 --> 00:25:17,560
Thanks to the depths
of the owners pockets.
382
00:25:18,840 --> 00:25:23,640
We actually got from all over Morocco
nearly 500 trees
383
00:25:23,720 --> 00:25:26,960
like the beautiful olive trees,
palm trees,
384
00:25:27,040 --> 00:25:32,360
it's also olive trees in average of
anything between 600 to 800 years old.
385
00:25:33,400 --> 00:25:35,080
What makes this even more impressive
386
00:25:35,160 --> 00:25:39,240
is that they're all planted above
a brand new network of tunnels.
387
00:25:39,320 --> 00:25:41,960
Welcome to the underground world.
388
00:25:42,720 --> 00:25:45,040
It contains everything
from pool filtration,
389
00:25:45,120 --> 00:25:48,760
power supplies and offices
to classrooms for staff training.
390
00:25:51,320 --> 00:25:54,480
With most of the palm trees
above weighing half a ton,
391
00:25:54,560 --> 00:25:58,440
the tunnels are engineered to take
their weight and allow them to grow.
392
00:25:59,640 --> 00:26:02,760
There seems to be no limit
to the scale, ambition
393
00:26:02,840 --> 00:26:07,320
and cost of the project.
But one luxury they don't have is time.
394
00:26:08,440 --> 00:26:09,680
Do we have pressure?
395
00:26:09,760 --> 00:26:15,040
Yes, deadline is six working days.
The pressure is on but we'll manage.
396
00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:19,240
Jean Claude's calmness under pressure
is all the more extraordinary
397
00:26:19,320 --> 00:26:21,120
given the nature of his deadline.
398
00:26:22,240 --> 00:26:25,200
A UN climate change conference
is coming to the Marrakesh
399
00:26:25,280 --> 00:26:28,600
and the Royal Mansour has been asked
to host six heads of state.
400
00:26:30,400 --> 00:26:33,680
By the time they arrive all construction
work has to be finished
401
00:26:33,760 --> 00:26:36,920
and the pool, bar and restaurant
must be open.
402
00:26:38,040 --> 00:26:42,120
We have a lot of people working on site.
403
00:26:42,200 --> 00:26:45,080
When on a normal project
should be with 50 people,
404
00:26:45,160 --> 00:26:49,240
we have 350 people or 400 people working.
405
00:26:50,240 --> 00:26:54,280
We're working seven days a week,
we're working 24 hours a day.
406
00:26:54,360 --> 00:26:58,680
I have guest number one,
will arrive at ten o'clock next Friday.
407
00:27:19,120 --> 00:27:21,160
After my time with housekeeping,
408
00:27:21,240 --> 00:27:25,440
I understand how important the riads are
in delivering the royal vision.
409
00:27:25,520 --> 00:27:30,440
Luxurious discreet experience
that showcases the best of Morocco.
410
00:27:30,520 --> 00:27:34,120
But how does the hotel's dining
experience deliver that vision?
411
00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:40,360
There are 2 fine dining restaurants,
one French, the other Moroccan.
412
00:27:40,440 --> 00:27:43,840
They're serviced by a team of male
and female waiting staff,
413
00:27:43,920 --> 00:27:47,640
managed and regularly trained
by 24-year-old Julien.
414
00:27:47,720 --> 00:27:51,280
We are doing the training
like a simulation
415
00:27:51,360 --> 00:27:58,360
where each head waiter and waiters
try to take an order and welcome guest.
416
00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:04,280
We have to be perfect everytime.
417
00:28:04,360 --> 00:28:08,040
This kind of clientele
they expect a perfect service,
418
00:28:08,120 --> 00:28:11,560
they pay the price
for this quality of service
419
00:28:11,640 --> 00:28:14,640
so they expect it.
So they are really challenging.
420
00:28:14,720 --> 00:28:19,640
We teach how to take an order, we teach
how to explain the dish to a guest
421
00:28:19,720 --> 00:28:23,520
and we also teach how to have
the good attitude in front of the guest.
422
00:28:25,840 --> 00:28:29,200
Of course prices are like
a 3 Michelin star in Paris
423
00:28:29,280 --> 00:28:31,920
because we have the quality
of a 3 Michelin star.
424
00:28:32,720 --> 00:28:34,520
To bring that quality to Marrakesh,
425
00:28:34,600 --> 00:28:37,360
the kitchens are run
by French chef, Jerome Videau,
426
00:28:40,720 --> 00:28:41,880
and the mastermind of the menu
427
00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:45,440
is three Michelin starred culinary
superstar, Chef Yannick Alleno.
428
00:28:46,400 --> 00:28:48,840
He regularly flies in from Paris.
429
00:28:52,800 --> 00:28:57,280
My work here is to train the people
430
00:28:57,360 --> 00:29:03,800
and to train them to the excellency.
The level has to be at the top.
431
00:29:05,760 --> 00:29:09,360
In trying to combine Moroccan tradition
with the highest international standards,
432
00:29:09,920 --> 00:29:13,240
Yannick had plenty of homework to do
when creating the menu.
433
00:29:15,440 --> 00:29:19,760
It's a huge country with a lot
of regional tastes
434
00:29:19,840 --> 00:29:21,120
so I had to understand that.
435
00:29:22,520 --> 00:29:25,880
Take the dish I'm making,
an amuse-bouche of beetroot jelly
436
00:29:25,960 --> 00:29:29,480
topped with orange segments
finally wrapped in beetroot.
437
00:29:29,560 --> 00:29:32,040
High end and distinctively Moroccan.
438
00:29:33,120 --> 00:29:35,320
Beetroots and oranges are two flavors
439
00:29:35,400 --> 00:29:38,560
that they used to using
in their cooking here in Morocco
440
00:29:38,640 --> 00:29:41,640
but this is a refinement
of that wonderful cuisine.
441
00:29:47,800 --> 00:29:48,680
The Moroccan?
442
00:29:51,520 --> 00:29:55,080
In fact there are more women in
this kitchen than I've been used to.
443
00:30:02,160 --> 00:30:06,480
Moroccan cuisine was created by women
who traditionally stayed at home.
444
00:30:06,560 --> 00:30:09,880
But as the country has modernized,
more women have entered the workplace
445
00:30:10,360 --> 00:30:12,720
and it's restaurant culture has blossomed.
446
00:30:12,800 --> 00:30:16,080
And it makes sense to have
a Moroccan restaurant with the women,
447
00:30:16,160 --> 00:30:19,800
the chefs here,
that know how to make it properly.
448
00:30:20,480 --> 00:30:23,320
As the hotel is a showcase
for a modern kingdom,
449
00:30:23,400 --> 00:30:27,160
giving opportunities to local women
like Delilah and Fatima, is a win-win.
450
00:30:37,200 --> 00:30:40,000
The saffron Fatima and I
are using in this chicken dish
451
00:30:40,080 --> 00:30:43,520
is one of the most highly-priced
ingredients for any chef.
452
00:30:44,080 --> 00:30:47,600
And this being the Royal Mansour,
it has to be Moroccan.
453
00:30:50,080 --> 00:30:54,000
So, it's an early start for me because
I want to find out where it comes from.
454
00:30:54,960 --> 00:30:59,840
I'm heading the fertile Ulrika Valley
with head chef Jerome Videau.
455
00:30:59,920 --> 00:31:03,440
We've come to the farm that supplies
the Royal Mansour with saffron.
456
00:31:04,360 --> 00:31:06,440
The owner is Doctor Lakbarbi.
457
00:31:07,240 --> 00:31:09,160
-Bonjour, bonjour.
-Enchante, je suis Monica.
458
00:31:14,720 --> 00:31:18,440
Once again, I'm happy to see
so many women of all ages at work.
459
00:31:42,040 --> 00:31:45,640
The women are racing against the sun,
they have to complete their picking
460
00:31:45,720 --> 00:31:49,280
before it gets too high
so I'd better get stuck in and help.
461
00:31:50,440 --> 00:31:55,000
My fellow pickers are Berbers, descendants
of the pre-Arab population of Morocco.
462
00:31:57,080 --> 00:32:01,000
They're paid 100 dirhams
or about 8 pound for the day,
463
00:32:01,080 --> 00:32:04,920
it's not much but in this area
every dirham counts.
464
00:32:05,000 --> 00:32:08,720
Madam here is 90 years old,
she's picking faster than me,
465
00:32:08,800 --> 00:32:12,360
she's making me look really bad.
Right. I've got to catch up.
466
00:33:10,440 --> 00:33:12,960
I am loving this. Really am.
467
00:33:13,040 --> 00:33:19,600
You know for any chef,
lover of food, to have this opportunity,
468
00:33:19,680 --> 00:33:26,240
listen to that, and to see it
and to really, it's heaven.
469
00:33:27,920 --> 00:33:31,000
With the sun up and the flowers picked
we're off to a shady spot
470
00:33:31,080 --> 00:33:34,200
to separate the saffron stigmas
from the rest of the flowers.
471
00:33:35,280 --> 00:33:39,800
The finished product sells
for eight pounds per gram even in Morocco
472
00:33:39,880 --> 00:33:42,560
making it literally worth
its weight in gold.
473
00:33:42,640 --> 00:33:48,200
It's labor intensive,
for one gram of saffron,
474
00:33:48,880 --> 00:33:50,720
Two hundred of these.
475
00:33:51,560 --> 00:33:56,160
For one gram.
You can see why it's so expensive.
476
00:33:57,440 --> 00:34:00,440
But you have the Royal Mansour hotel
477
00:34:00,520 --> 00:34:05,440
who can afford to buy this saffron
in abundance,
478
00:34:06,320 --> 00:34:08,280
as long as the hotel is there.
479
00:34:08,760 --> 00:34:11,280
It's actually a bit of
a support network, you know,
480
00:34:12,440 --> 00:34:15,159
it's actually providing the jobs
for these amazing people.
481
00:34:24,440 --> 00:34:28,880
In Le Jardine, the new garden development
there's a final push ahead of the opening.
482
00:34:31,040 --> 00:34:33,199
The pool has been filled and filtered.
483
00:34:33,760 --> 00:34:36,040
And the last of the trees
are being planted.
484
00:34:37,400 --> 00:34:40,080
The finishing touches
are being given to the pavilions,
485
00:34:40,639 --> 00:34:43,400
and to the new alfresco bar
and restaurant.
486
00:34:43,960 --> 00:34:47,960
But architecture alone won't transform
the atmosphere of the Royal Mansour,
487
00:34:48,040 --> 00:34:51,239
for that the staff need to change
their attitude and approach.
488
00:34:53,480 --> 00:34:56,960
Restaurant manager Julien
is overseeing the retraining.
489
00:34:59,840 --> 00:35:04,040
We have a lot of team members,
they are here for over six years now.
490
00:35:04,120 --> 00:35:07,880
And they have really
strict sense of protocol
491
00:35:07,960 --> 00:35:10,800
and it was perfect for the French
fine dining restaurants.
492
00:35:11,360 --> 00:35:14,920
But with this place, we have to make them
more relaxed, you know.
493
00:35:16,400 --> 00:35:18,560
To help create the more relaxed vibe,
494
00:35:18,640 --> 00:35:20,320
the jackets and ties are being ditched
495
00:35:20,400 --> 00:35:23,200
in favor of polo shirts,
chinos and loafers.
496
00:35:25,160 --> 00:35:27,280
We wanted a different kind of service
497
00:35:27,360 --> 00:35:31,960
so we have to train the team to keep
the quality but to change the attitude.
498
00:35:32,040 --> 00:35:34,720
It's really new for us you know,
with a lot of people
499
00:35:34,800 --> 00:35:39,000
around the swimming pool,
the restaurant, I hope to create this
500
00:35:39,080 --> 00:35:42,440
you know, how you say, the beating heart
of the Royal Mansour you know.
501
00:35:42,520 --> 00:35:44,280
But we need time, of course.
502
00:35:46,680 --> 00:35:49,000
In a rare moment away from the hotel,
503
00:35:49,080 --> 00:35:51,600
manager Jean Claude
has headed for the hills.
504
00:35:51,680 --> 00:35:53,600
Well, the Atlas Mountains to be precise.
505
00:35:54,600 --> 00:35:57,560
He's been invited to sample
a restaurant for guest excursions
506
00:35:57,640 --> 00:35:59,200
and he's bought me along for the ride.
507
00:35:59,280 --> 00:36:04,880
You see the snow on the mountains?
On the other side, you have ski resorts.
508
00:36:07,880 --> 00:36:11,360
Some of the butlers actually
were bought up here,
509
00:36:11,440 --> 00:36:13,960
either in Imlil or in Asni.
510
00:36:14,040 --> 00:36:19,440
Those villages now
are only filled with kids,
511
00:36:19,520 --> 00:36:25,200
women, grandparents. All the men
have gone to town to work.
512
00:36:29,920 --> 00:36:31,000
Let's go.
513
00:36:35,440 --> 00:36:36,880
That's my favorite place.
514
00:36:37,840 --> 00:36:41,960
I come with my guide Hamud
and we get dropped here,
515
00:36:42,040 --> 00:36:44,440
and then we cycle all the way
back down to Marrakesh.
516
00:36:45,280 --> 00:36:46,520
Fantastic.
517
00:36:46,600 --> 00:36:49,800
So you like to get away from luxury
then in your private life?
518
00:36:49,880 --> 00:36:51,840
If I have the choice between
519
00:36:53,040 --> 00:36:57,240
Michelin 3 star lunch and
520
00:36:57,320 --> 00:37:03,240
a very rustic picnic, simple lunch,
I'd go for the rustic one.
521
00:37:05,400 --> 00:37:07,720
Our lunch stop, the Kasbah du Toubkal
522
00:37:07,800 --> 00:37:11,680
is managed by local Berber people
and offers traditional cuisine.
523
00:37:13,560 --> 00:37:16,280
It doesn't promise luxury
but a rustic experience
524
00:37:16,360 --> 00:37:19,640
could be just the ticket
after a few days at the Royal Mansour.
525
00:37:20,360 --> 00:37:22,000
If you bought your guests out here
526
00:37:22,080 --> 00:37:24,760
would they be happy eating this?
Would this be too rustic?
527
00:37:24,840 --> 00:37:26,920
I think they would be very happy
to come here.
528
00:37:28,480 --> 00:37:34,120
It's not too far, convenient,
great view, good food, nice people.
529
00:37:34,200 --> 00:37:35,760
-No wine.
-No wine.
530
00:37:35,840 --> 00:37:38,040
But I mean otherwise,
they've done pretty well.
531
00:37:38,120 --> 00:37:42,480
We've got as far as the mint tea when
a call from the royal palace comes in.
532
00:37:55,760 --> 00:37:57,360
So sorry, go ahead.
533
00:37:57,440 --> 00:37:59,440
-So, I'll see you later?
-Okay, fair enough.
534
00:37:59,520 --> 00:38:01,120
Thanks for a good day.
535
00:38:01,760 --> 00:38:03,320
Well that was nice while it lasted,
536
00:38:03,400 --> 00:38:06,200
that's basically as long as you're
going to get with Jean Claude,
537
00:38:06,280 --> 00:38:10,240
we hadn't had desert yet, but he got
a phone call from, from the owner
538
00:38:10,320 --> 00:38:11,960
who's unexpectedly coming for lunch
539
00:38:12,040 --> 00:38:16,440
and when I say the owner it's actually
Mrs. Owner, possibly even more of a panic
540
00:38:16,520 --> 00:38:19,320
than Mr. Owner, has arrived
for lunch at the Royal Mansour
541
00:38:19,400 --> 00:38:22,200
and she can't possibly be served
without him being there
542
00:38:22,280 --> 00:38:23,400
so he's run off to see to it
543
00:38:23,480 --> 00:38:26,120
that she is served in the way
in which he thinks is fitting.
544
00:38:26,680 --> 00:38:29,760
And that's just how it rolls
with the Royal Mansour.
545
00:38:31,960 --> 00:38:35,560
And there won't be many more opportunities
for a tete-a-tete with Jean Claude.
546
00:38:36,880 --> 00:38:40,840
The Royal Mansour is gearing up
for a succession of VIP arrivals
547
00:38:40,920 --> 00:38:42,960
for the impending UN conference.
548
00:38:45,040 --> 00:38:48,560
During a quick break in the canteen
where lunch is free for staff,
549
00:38:48,640 --> 00:38:52,280
Mohammed explains where he gets
his incredible work ethic from.
550
00:38:52,360 --> 00:38:55,760
When I was young my mother used
to teach me keep myself clean,
551
00:38:55,840 --> 00:39:00,960
keep my place clean, I used to take care
of my sisters and the brothers.
552
00:39:01,040 --> 00:39:03,680
-When your mother went out to work.
-Yes.
553
00:39:03,760 --> 00:39:06,520
And so you took care of them
and you cleaned the whole house?
554
00:39:06,600 --> 00:39:07,840
-Yes.
-At what age?
555
00:39:07,920 --> 00:39:08,840
Six years old, five.
556
00:39:08,920 --> 00:39:11,240
Five or six years old,
you cleaned the whole house.
557
00:39:11,320 --> 00:39:14,200
Yeah because I used to do that
before I went to school, you know,
558
00:39:14,280 --> 00:39:16,360
at the age of seven.
559
00:39:17,720 --> 00:39:19,640
Mohammed.
560
00:39:23,320 --> 00:39:27,680
Someone needs his socks folded.
Possibly just tissues polished or
561
00:39:28,400 --> 00:39:32,600
a biscuit put into his mouth
because he's too busy to do it himself.
562
00:39:33,440 --> 00:39:35,520
-Giles.
-Need to go?
563
00:39:35,600 --> 00:39:37,160
Yeah, we've got to go.
564
00:39:37,240 --> 00:39:39,480
Although it looks perfectly tranquil
above ground,
565
00:39:39,560 --> 00:39:42,000
the hotel is at its busiest.
566
00:39:42,080 --> 00:39:46,920
The Royal Mansour is at full occupancy,
meaning Mohammed has very little downtime.
567
00:39:47,000 --> 00:39:50,000
-It's very fast walk you've got there.
-Yes, we have to hurry up.
568
00:39:50,080 --> 00:39:53,360
Right now he's been asked
to prepare a riad for an arrival.
569
00:39:53,440 --> 00:39:55,640
-Shall we take the polythene off?
-Yes, please.
570
00:39:55,720 --> 00:39:58,480
We've only just started,
when Mohammed receives another call.
571
00:40:04,120 --> 00:40:06,920
We were just about to prepare
the white riad for the guests,
572
00:40:07,000 --> 00:40:08,760
we had the minibar trolley all ready
573
00:40:08,840 --> 00:40:12,680
and a call's just come through
that Mohammed forgot to clean the chimney.
574
00:40:17,400 --> 00:40:20,280
I don't feel exactly dressed
for chimney cleaning. Yeah?
575
00:40:20,360 --> 00:40:23,120
I think we, I am in trouble,
I forgot to clean the chimney.
576
00:40:23,200 --> 00:40:25,160
I heard on the phone,
shall we go and do it?
577
00:40:25,240 --> 00:40:26,320
Please.
578
00:40:26,400 --> 00:40:30,400
Even in emergencies like this
it's important to remember the protocols.
579
00:40:30,480 --> 00:40:33,400
For a butler there's to be
no walking on the carpet.
580
00:40:39,120 --> 00:40:41,920
Hustle, this chimney's
not going to clean itself.
581
00:40:48,840 --> 00:40:52,640
-Would you like to do it?
-Of course. Absolutely.
582
00:40:53,720 --> 00:40:55,800
-Sweep it to the…
-The other way?
583
00:40:56,360 --> 00:40:57,240
Yes.
584
00:41:00,400 --> 00:41:03,680
-It's not finished.
-What? You need to finish it off?
585
00:41:03,760 --> 00:41:07,440
He's not happy with my, with the job
I've done, just got to finish it off.
586
00:41:08,400 --> 00:41:09,680
Do you ever rest?
587
00:41:11,000 --> 00:41:12,360
-Yes I do. When I can.
-You do?
588
00:41:12,440 --> 00:41:13,640
When I can.
589
00:41:13,720 --> 00:41:15,920
When did you last have
a full night's sleep?
590
00:41:16,560 --> 00:41:18,360
-I don't remember.
-Really?
591
00:41:18,440 --> 00:41:19,320
Yes.
592
00:41:19,400 --> 00:41:25,120
For this week, I have two,
three to four hours sleep.
593
00:41:25,640 --> 00:41:28,800
Really? Why? What do people need
in the middle of the night?
594
00:41:28,880 --> 00:41:30,040
Why are you so busy?
595
00:41:30,120 --> 00:41:32,880
There is one thing you have,
you need to know.
596
00:41:32,960 --> 00:41:36,040
Even after the guests go to bed,
597
00:41:36,120 --> 00:41:38,560
there is still some work to do
before you go.
598
00:41:38,640 --> 00:41:42,320
Do you think your work ever suffers
because you're too tired?
599
00:41:43,240 --> 00:41:44,800
No. Actually, I enjoy it.
600
00:41:44,880 --> 00:41:47,640
Does it remind you of when you were
a child and your mother
601
00:41:47,720 --> 00:41:48,880
wanted you to clean the house?
602
00:41:48,960 --> 00:41:51,560
I always remember this feeling
603
00:41:51,640 --> 00:41:55,320
when I see my mother,
I was always telling her
604
00:41:55,400 --> 00:41:59,200
when I will be older I will work
and bring you money.
605
00:41:59,280 --> 00:42:02,600
-And is that why you work so hard?
-Well, I work so hard
606
00:42:02,680 --> 00:42:05,760
because I have to work so hard,
everyone has to work so hard.
607
00:42:13,760 --> 00:42:15,640
Well, I'm exhausted after just a few hours
608
00:42:15,720 --> 00:42:19,440
of frankly only really tailing Mohammed
and I can't imagine what it would be like,
609
00:42:19,520 --> 00:42:21,640
that man has not slept
for three weeks properly,
610
00:42:21,720 --> 00:42:23,760
he has two hours sleep, three hours sleep
611
00:42:23,840 --> 00:42:26,080
because people want their laundry
at three in the morning
612
00:42:26,160 --> 00:42:28,120
or they've run out of Haribos
or they need their fire lit.
613
00:42:28,200 --> 00:42:32,200
It's a bit of a mystery to me about
why Mohammed would want to do that
614
00:42:32,280 --> 00:42:34,880
but then you see he took a genuine
pride in keeping his home clean,
615
00:42:34,960 --> 00:42:38,000
'cause his mom had to get up at the crack
of dawn to go and get water,
616
00:42:38,080 --> 00:42:40,040
his dad was out working, you know,
617
00:42:40,120 --> 00:42:42,880
that was the thing that
sort of made him was the hard work.
618
00:42:42,960 --> 00:42:48,000
I hope the squillionaire plutocrats
he's working for appreciate that,
619
00:42:48,080 --> 00:42:49,960
when he waits on them hand and foot.
620
00:42:52,680 --> 00:42:55,960
I've been impressed with
the dedication of all the staff.
621
00:42:56,720 --> 00:43:01,160
For me, this is particularly evident
amongst the chefs in the Moroccan kitchen.
622
00:43:01,840 --> 00:43:03,680
Delilah and Fatima are going to show me
623
00:43:03,760 --> 00:43:06,920
how the Royal Mansour has elevated
a housewife's favorite,
624
00:43:07,000 --> 00:43:10,920
Pigeon Pastilla,
into an upmarket signature dish.
625
00:43:15,640 --> 00:43:18,160
It's a savor pie using filo pastry
626
00:43:18,240 --> 00:43:21,200
and more butter
than I can possibly imagine.
627
00:43:21,280 --> 00:43:26,760
I have never used this much better
in one dish.
628
00:43:26,840 --> 00:43:29,520
Delilah's been stewing the wood pigeon
629
00:43:29,600 --> 00:43:32,520
in ras-al-hanout spices
and of course, saffron.
630
00:43:33,960 --> 00:43:37,680
Moroccan cuisine combines flavor
in a very distinctive way,
631
00:43:38,240 --> 00:43:42,400
so inside the filo pastry case,
dry spiced scrambled egg
632
00:43:42,480 --> 00:43:44,280
is combined with our gamy pigeon meat
633
00:43:44,360 --> 00:43:47,760
followed by a layer
of ground spiced almonds.
634
00:43:47,840 --> 00:43:51,400
I mean my senses are just being set
on fire with the spices
635
00:43:51,480 --> 00:43:55,720
that are going into this dish.
More butter. Yes very good.
636
00:43:56,680 --> 00:44:00,200
Why bother with the brush,
let's just pour it in and use our hands.
637
00:44:00,280 --> 00:44:01,880
Oh, my word.
638
00:44:03,360 --> 00:44:08,200
Even after baking, the distinctiveness
of Moroccan cuisine is very apparent.
639
00:44:08,280 --> 00:44:11,760
They certainly have a sweet tooth
look at the amount of icing sugar
640
00:44:11,840 --> 00:44:14,120
being dusted on what is
essentially a savory dish.
641
00:44:14,200 --> 00:44:17,000
I've had to film it cause people
won't believe how much sugar
642
00:44:17,080 --> 00:44:18,480
has gone into this pastilla.
643
00:44:19,960 --> 00:44:23,440
I can't wait to try it.
Giles is missing out.
644
00:44:27,080 --> 00:44:27,920
Sure.
645
00:44:42,920 --> 00:44:44,520
That is incredible.
646
00:44:46,080 --> 00:44:50,400
I'm very honored to be taught
by the masters of pastilla
647
00:44:50,480 --> 00:44:53,320
here in this very kitchen
and this is how they eat it,
648
00:44:53,400 --> 00:44:56,600
just the whole family sit down
and everyone gets in with their hands
649
00:44:56,680 --> 00:45:01,000
and you just take a bit of the pastilla
and drink your tea with it.
650
00:45:01,080 --> 00:45:03,960
A wonderful way to enjoy such a dish.
651
00:45:07,840 --> 00:45:11,280
Since Mohammed told me about his
upbringing, I'm beginning to understand
652
00:45:11,360 --> 00:45:13,320
what gives him his incredible motivation.
653
00:45:13,400 --> 00:45:16,000
And now I have a chance
to see where he grew up.
654
00:45:16,560 --> 00:45:20,520
He's invited me to join him on his day
off at his family's Berber village home
655
00:45:20,600 --> 00:45:23,120
around an hour's drive from Marrakesh.
656
00:45:23,920 --> 00:45:26,480
Although this old house looks
superficially unchanged,
657
00:45:26,560 --> 00:45:29,040
there are plenty of signs
that Mohammed's family
658
00:45:29,120 --> 00:45:32,360
enjoy a better lifestyle
than the one he grew up with.
659
00:45:32,440 --> 00:45:35,120
And his mother no longer
has to make the daily trek for water,
660
00:45:35,200 --> 00:45:38,440
they're now connected to the mains
and to electricity.
661
00:45:38,520 --> 00:45:41,920
It's clear who's behind these
improved circumstances.
662
00:45:42,000 --> 00:45:47,040
This is a luxury life for my family now
comparing it to what it we,
663
00:45:47,120 --> 00:45:48,800
to what it used to be.
664
00:45:48,880 --> 00:45:51,400
And do they, do they know
where you work now?
665
00:45:51,480 --> 00:45:52,400
They do.
666
00:45:52,480 --> 00:45:54,320
Have they seen pictures?
Have they seen photographs?
667
00:45:54,400 --> 00:45:57,480
I showed them pictures but I am
sure they don't remember.
668
00:45:57,560 --> 00:45:59,880
It's just interesting, isn't it?
Because at the hotel,
669
00:45:59,960 --> 00:46:03,080
they think it's such a big deal
and your parents don't care.
670
00:46:03,160 --> 00:46:07,680
They don't care about sophisticated life,
they care about their children.
671
00:46:07,760 --> 00:46:10,280
You know what I'm worried about
is we go back to the hotel
672
00:46:10,360 --> 00:46:12,600
and I can't have you
waiting on me hand and foot,
673
00:46:12,680 --> 00:46:14,600
I can't have you serving me.
674
00:46:14,680 --> 00:46:19,000
-Why not?
-Because that sort of that,
675
00:46:19,080 --> 00:46:23,200
skin is broken between where
we you know, we're real people and--
676
00:46:23,280 --> 00:46:27,880
Listen to me, there is a saying in Arabic…
677
00:46:27,960 --> 00:46:31,400
The master of the people
is the one who is serving them.
678
00:46:31,480 --> 00:46:32,920
Is the one who serves them.
679
00:46:33,000 --> 00:46:37,600
So I never feel any shame,
I never feel any inferiority.
680
00:46:37,680 --> 00:46:38,560
No.
681
00:46:38,640 --> 00:46:41,640
To serve or to do any kind of work.
682
00:46:41,720 --> 00:46:46,400
His parents it seems to me that for them
this is old Morocco and that's their life
683
00:46:46,480 --> 00:46:49,480
and he goes from here
to new Morocco in the city
684
00:46:49,560 --> 00:46:51,880
and he works and he provides for them
with a better life,
685
00:46:51,960 --> 00:46:54,880
he's the.. second father for the kids,
686
00:46:54,960 --> 00:46:57,400
he looks after everyone,
it's all thanks to the hotel.
687
00:47:02,400 --> 00:47:05,560
With the arrival of the UN conference
on climate change,
688
00:47:05,640 --> 00:47:08,920
it is the new Morocco
that is being shown off to the world.
689
00:47:09,520 --> 00:47:14,120
Nearly 200 nations have sent
representatives to the negotiation.
690
00:47:14,200 --> 00:47:18,600
It's exactly the kind of showcase to
the world that the hotel tries to embody.
691
00:47:19,960 --> 00:47:22,800
With the Royal Mansour
hosting six heads of state,
692
00:47:22,880 --> 00:47:26,960
finishing the construction on time
for Le Jardine to open was crucial.
693
00:47:37,480 --> 00:47:41,440
This hotel was lacking
possibly a little bit of emotion.
694
00:47:41,520 --> 00:47:45,440
I'm sure the garden and the pool
will help us tremendously
695
00:47:45,520 --> 00:47:48,400
to give that extra bit
we were possibly lacking.
696
00:47:52,800 --> 00:47:55,400
Now your space here,
you have this magnificent garden,
697
00:47:55,480 --> 00:47:58,760
it has to grow a bit but maybe
in six months, one year
698
00:47:58,840 --> 00:48:00,200
it's gonna be perfect.
699
00:48:00,280 --> 00:48:04,880
But we needed some breath,
to breathe some fresh air
700
00:48:04,960 --> 00:48:07,600
so now I think we got it.
701
00:48:09,440 --> 00:48:13,680
Manager Jean Claude has invited
all the hotel's 500 staff
702
00:48:13,760 --> 00:48:17,720
many of whom spend most of their
time underground to a launch party.
703
00:48:20,040 --> 00:48:23,080
They're celebrating a new chapter
in the hotel's life
704
00:48:23,160 --> 00:48:25,200
and a new approach to service.
705
00:48:52,400 --> 00:48:57,880
The pressure was on to open this week
on time for this big global conference.
706
00:48:58,720 --> 00:49:01,280
The first very important guest
is arriving today
707
00:49:01,360 --> 00:49:03,200
and that for the next few days, it's…
708
00:49:03,280 --> 00:49:08,680
this place is going to be crammed
with head of states, presidents.
709
00:49:10,080 --> 00:49:14,040
So it was important
to be open today and we've made it.
710
00:49:22,360 --> 00:49:25,240
No stress or a little bit of stress.
711
00:49:42,600 --> 00:49:45,760
It looks like it's time for us
to make ourselves scarce.
712
00:49:47,280 --> 00:49:51,560
So we're beginning a gentle transition
back into our butler-free life
713
00:49:51,640 --> 00:49:53,280
by serving our own champagne.
714
00:49:54,640 --> 00:49:56,240
Here's to drinking.
715
00:50:00,200 --> 00:50:06,560
This for me has been, you know, an
extraordinary experience, really it has.
716
00:50:06,640 --> 00:50:08,680
You know what it's felt
the most like to me,
717
00:50:08,760 --> 00:50:10,320
the sort of overall experience,
718
00:50:10,880 --> 00:50:15,600
it's as if I was sort of distant relative
of the king of some crazy land
719
00:50:15,680 --> 00:50:19,040
and he invited me to come and stay
and I got here and there was nobody here
720
00:50:19,120 --> 00:50:23,680
and I'm allowed to run around
the giant imperial palace all on my own.
721
00:50:23,760 --> 00:50:26,600
It's quite amazing you know,
knowing that underneath all this
722
00:50:26,680 --> 00:50:30,600
is 500 people working away
to make it run and the fact
723
00:50:30,680 --> 00:50:34,000
that when we walk around the riad
with the room service
724
00:50:34,080 --> 00:50:36,760
or housekeeping as soon
as they hear you, they disappear.
725
00:50:36,840 --> 00:50:40,080
Is that a flaw or is that a benefit?
This is the place you know,
726
00:50:40,160 --> 00:50:43,280
by royal decree
this place was built for the king.
727
00:50:43,360 --> 00:50:46,840
So this is what a king wants,
to never have to look a servant in the eye
728
00:50:46,920 --> 00:50:50,480
and they walk away backwards and
then is it when you have people like us,
729
00:50:50,560 --> 00:50:54,120
would we want that?
Would we want this silence and emptiness?
730
00:50:54,200 --> 00:50:58,720
Maybe not but the global political elite
descending on this place certainly do.
731
00:51:00,160 --> 00:51:03,040
And if the new garden can bring
that missing vibe,
732
00:51:03,120 --> 00:51:08,040
that beating heart then the Royal Mansour
will finally have completed its transition
733
00:51:08,120 --> 00:51:11,640
from palace annex
to international super hotel.
734
00:51:12,800 --> 00:51:17,560
I think it's one great thing which I've
really appreciated about being here
735
00:51:17,640 --> 00:51:21,640
and my time with the staff is the detail.
736
00:51:21,720 --> 00:51:25,240
Would you, I mean if this was your house
would you like all these candles?
737
00:51:25,320 --> 00:51:28,520
Yes. I would.
Well actually no my butler would.
738
00:51:28,600 --> 00:51:30,440
Your butler would light all the candles.
68980
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