A girls’ spa weekend in Marrakech: unwind in style at Riad Farnatchi
Sometimes you just need to press pause and escape with your favourite women. Marrakech is one of my favourite places for that: close enough for a long weekend, yet completely transportive. In this blog I share my own experience of a girls’ spa weekend at the beautiful Riad Farnatchi, and why it is such a perfect setting for relaxed luxury and proper catch ups.
Some trips stay with you long after you are home. For me, a girls’ spa weekend in Marrakech, staying at the beautiful Riad Farnatchi, is one of those experiences I find myself daydreaming about and recreating for my clients.
From the moment I stepped out into the warm Moroccan air, I felt that lovely shift into “holiday mode”. Marrakech is so close to the UK, yet it feels wonderfully different: the buzz of the medina, the colours, the scent of spices and orange blossom. Then you slip through an unassuming door into Riad Farnatchi and the whole atmosphere changes. It is calm, elegant and cocooning, exactly what you want for a relaxing break with the girls.
I loved how intimate the riad felt, with just a handful of stylish suites. The décor is a mix of traditional Moroccan detail and contemporary comfort: cool tiled floors, soft lighting, big comfortable beds and generous bathrooms that are perfect for chatting while you get ready together in the evenings. The team there are warm and attentive, always on hand but never intrusive, which made us feel completely looked after.
The spa was the heart of the weekend. We started with a traditional hammam: time in the steam, followed by black olive soap and a thorough exfoliation with a kessa glove. It is an incredibly cleansing, almost ritualistic experience and afterwards my skin felt unbelievably soft. We followed it with a full‑body massage using silky argan oil. Emerging in fluffy robes to sip mint tea in a quiet corner of the riad with my friends is one of those simple but perfect memories.
We balanced all that pampering with time out in the city. Mornings often started slowly with breakfast on the terrace, then a wander through the souks for lanterns, ceramics and textiles. Having a local guide at the start helped us get our bearings and shop with confidence. In the evenings, we made the most of Marrakech’s rooftops, watching the sunset with a drink in hand as the call to prayer echoed over the city before heading back to our peaceful riad.
What I loved most was the pace: nothing felt rushed. There was time to talk, laugh, switch off and simply enjoy being together in a beautiful setting. It felt indulgent without being over the top, and we all came home feeling lighter and more connected.
If you like the sound of a girls’ spa escape in Marrakech at Riad Farnatchi, I would be delighted to design something similar around you and your group, with the right balance of spa time, souks and rooftop sunsets. Contact me to start planning your own Marrakech spa weekend.
