Marrakech, Morocco Recommendations
If you are looking for something quite different from European travel, but in the same general vicinity, this may be your spot. Marrakech gives you a good feel for the Arab world, while possessing some chic and luxurious properties so that you get this great balance of culture and luxe getaway all at once.
Where to Stay:
Four Seasons Resort Marrakech - this place is a destination in and of itself. I literally left a piece of myself here and want to go back so badly! It's Moroccan detail done in a seriously upscale way. We stayed in a King Premier Garden View Terrace room - it had a large balcony, walk-in closet, and very spacious entryway, bathroom and bedroom. The lobby is done is gauzy curtains and has a retractable roof for a courtyard feel. There's drinks and live music in the evenings and the lobby restaurant (Inara) has cozy couches on an outdoor deck overlooking the main fountains where you can taste the succulent tangine dishes and have hookah. There's a family pool and adult pool (both are absolutely beautiful and serene) and poolside waiters who will even clean your sunglasses for you. The spa is to die for and built like a traditional hammam. Eating breakfast outside overlooking the fountains is so peaceful. I could go on and on. The resort is located about 10 minutes from the Medina (courtesy car available in the evenings) and we found it to be the perfect respite to the craziness of the Jemaa el-Fnaa and souks
La Mamounia and Royal Monsour are also incredible luxury options; if you don't stay there, check them out for drinks - we did a sunset happy hour at La Mamounia
Things to Do:
The Souk! I was pretty excited about checking out the markets, since I loved the bazaars in Instanbul. These did not disappoint! They are very maze like, though, and it's very easy to get lost. I usually wouldn't hire a guide for this, but at the last moment, I asked the hotel to arrange a half day guide to take us to Jemaa el-Fnaa and the souks and it was totally worth it! He asked what kinds of goods I was looking to buy and guided us towards those, as well as showing us some of the craftsmanship that takes place. I came home with multple pairs of leather and suede shoes and different styles of caftans. I would highly recommend a guide!
Jemaa el-Fnaa - the main square in Marrakech in the heart of the Medina (the walled old city). It's full of food trucks, vendors, performers, snake charmers, etc. It can get a little crazy! I was happy to have our guide here, as well, as he would give us the background on the snake charmers and what to expect as we walked up. We ended up posing with a cobra, but didn't get too close!
Camel ride - when in Morocco, right? This whole experience was 2 hours door to door. The driver picked us up, drove us outside the city, we were dressed in traditional Berber wear and then off we went on our camels. We stopped by a traditional Berber hut where we had a snack of crepes and mint tea. This part was a little awkward being in their home because we were the only ones on the tour and the Berber family did not speak English, but it was fine. The experience to ride the camel was worth it and our sunset photos are beautiful!
Visit one of the beautiful palaces - our guide took us to Bahia Palace. We loved hearing about the uses for the different rooms and getting an up close look at Moroccan architecture at its most decadent
We passed on going to the Jardin Marjorelle and Ben Youssef in favor of relaxing at the pool at the resort. Maybe we should have gone, but that's the price to pay to try to balance a resort vacation with sightseeing
Food:
We did a lot of food at the hotel and around the pool, but a couple outside the resort that we liked:
La Maison Arabe - Gorgeous riad with fun cocktails and live music in their jazz lounge and then traditional Moroccan cuisine overlooking the courtyard, also with music. The tangine was great
NOMAD - hidden respite overlooking the souk, try to get a table outside under an umbrella (make a reservation); modern take on traditional cuisine; we had lunch here while shopping at the souk (no alcohol is served)
Don't bother with Comptoir Darna - has great reviews and the belly dancing show is cute, but the restaurant is very warm and service is sub par
Been to Marrakech? What was your favorite part?
