Mazagan Beach Resort opens with a bang

South African entrepreneur, Sol Kerzner, has launched his latest project in El Jadida, 90km south of Casablanca. The Mazagan Beach Resort opened this week.

opening party fireworks

Mr Kerzner is famous for his extravagant resorts, where no expense is spared. Travellers to Southern Africa might have come across Sun City, the Lost City and others in South Africa, some of his first ventures. But over the years, his resort empire has expanded to include the Bahamas, Dubai, Mexico, the Maldives, Mauritius and Cape Town. Now it's Morocco's turn.

Heather Kerzner, actress Lindsay Lohan and Sol Kerzner

The opening night was impressive. 1500 guests were treated to fireworks, a fantasia, dancers, drummers, musicians and snake charmers. In the promotional video on the resort's website, all seem bowled over by the display and the building itself.

Eric Fellner, Naomi Campbell and Vladislav Doronin enjoy the party

The resort is set on 250 hectares next to a 7km beach, and boasts a 5-star hotel with 500 rooms. There's an 18-hole golf course designed by Gary Player, a spa, casino, nightclub, conference centre and eleven restaurants.