The Love Story of Sir Richard Branson
In the world of luxury tourism, where excellence is measured in details and authenticity, some projects transcend the notion of accommodation. They become love stories between cultures, landscapes, and flavors. Such is the story of Sir Richard Branson, a visionary who has woven a bridge between Morocco and Spain through two hospitality gems: Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains and Son Bunyola in the Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca. Two destinations, two cuisines, one beating heart.
The Enchantment of the Atlas: Kasbah Tamadot
It all began in Morocco. During a hot air balloon ride, Richard’s mother, Eve Branson, was captivated by the sight of a Berber palace nestled in the Atlas Mountains. She convinced her son to acquire it and transform it into an authentic luxury retreat. Thus, Kasbah Tamadot was born, in the small village of Asni, at the foot of Imlil, just an hour from Marrakech.
From the start, Branson chose to integrate the local culture: he hired 120 residents from the surrounding communities and trained them in five-star hospitality. Today, they represent 90% of the hotel’s staff, embodying its authenticity. The Kasbah is not just a hotel; it is a living tribute to Berber tradition, with Moroccan-style rooms, fairytale gardens, and a farm where camels, donkeys, goats, and peacocks coexist.
Gastronomy plays a central role in this experience. Under Chef Yassine Khalal, guests savor tagines, couscous, and delicacies perfumed with spices that tell centuries of history. And thanks to a unique cultural exchange, they can also enjoy an authentic paella: Chef Brenda, visiting from Mallorca, traveled to the Atlas to teach the culinary team the art of rice. Today, amidst Moroccan flavors, beats a taste of Spain.
The Mallorcan Perseverance: Son Bunyola
The other half of the story unfolds in Mallorca. In 1998, Branson discovered Son Bunyola, a 16th-century estate set in the UNESCO World Heritage Serra de Tramuntana. He fell in love with it, but bureaucracy delayed his dream of turning it into a luxury boutique hotel for 25 years. Finally, in 2023, the estate opened its doors after a monumental renovation that stayed true to his original vision.
Son Bunyola spans 330 hectares of vineyards, almond groves, olive trees, and citrus orchards — a landscape that preserves Mallorca’s agricultural heritage and defines its concept of luxury agrotourism. It is a sanctuary of privacy and complete disconnection, where gastronomy once again takes center stage — this time, with a nod to Morocco.
On the menu, alongside Mediterranean flavors, is a chicken tagine, a symbol of Moroccan cuisine that crosses the sea to dialogue with Mallorcan tradition. Just as paella traveled to the Atlas, the tagine arrives in the Tramuntana: a cultural exchange served on designer plates.
Gastronomy: A Bridge Between Cultures
What distinguishes these two hotels is not only their architectural splendor or the exclusivity of their services, but the cultural connection conveyed through cuisine. The paella served in the Atlas and the tagine savored in the Tramuntana are not mere dishes; they are symbols of conviviality and mutual respect.
Luxury tourism in the 21st century is no longer measured only in private pool suites or exclusive spas, but in the ability to move hearts and offer authenticity. Branson has found the formula: fusing cultures, weaving bridges, inviting travelers to experience not just a destination, but a dialogue between peoples.
True Luxury Lies in the Soul
Kasbah Tamadot and Son Bunyola are more than hotels: they are chapters of a story uniting Morocco and Spain through hospitality, sustainability, and gastronomy. They embody a model of luxury tourism where every dish served is a declaration of love between cultures.
For, in the end, true luxury is not measured in stars but in the power of a journey to transform the traveler. And under Richard Branson’s inspiration, Morocco and Spain have found a unique way of joining hands — through spices, rice, tagines, and paellas that tell a love story capable of captivating the world.
