Marrakesh, Morocoo

Jo Baldwin on 29 June 2017
Club Med were our delightful hosts in Marrakesh, staying at the Club Med Marrakech La Palmeraie Hotel, only ten minutes from the city centre. This was my first visit to a Club Med property, and I was delighted to be greeted in the impressive high-ceilinged reception area with a cold towel and a drink and most importantly lots of smiling welcomes!

The hotel is set within Morocco's oldest palm grove and is built in traditional Moroccan style which includes lots of shaded walkways leading to impressive, mature gardens with calming, cooling water features. My room was warmly decorated, and I loved the lanterns, vibrant colours and intricately designed wood and mosaic work, perfectly in keeping with the local style. The large, sunny balcony overlooked fields to the Atlas Mountains beyond - we really were right on the edge of the city’s limits.

Meals can be taken in the buffet restaurant, which offers a staggering selection of meals to try, many of which are freshly prepared while you wait. I particularly loved the salad bar where the chef chops up your salad, seasons and adds dressing before presenting it on your plate - deliciously fresh and just the way I wanted it. Soft drinks and beer are on tap, and wine flows freely on every table.

There are two main pool areas - and I plumped for the adult’s only pool for its peaceful, tranquil vibe with private areas for sunbathing. Waiters come round at regular intervals with lovely cool drinks - and being on all-inclusive meant that I could frequent the bar to keep my cocktail topped up as necessary!

Once I’d had my fill of sunbathing and swimming, there are so many activities on offer, I almost didn’t know where to start! On-site you can go horse riding, play tennis, hire bikes, play golf, do archery, hit the well-equipped gym and (believe it or not) you can even try your hand at the Flying Trapeze School with circus activities! Of course, if all you want to go is chill, there’s also a spa on site with a range of treatments.

Parents will love the kids club which caters for all ages from 2 to 17 years and the kids club is welcoming and well-equipped with its own pool area, so little ones are kept busy and entertained whilst making new friends. All Club Med resorts offer childcare, and this is one of the many reasons families love Club Med.

For a bit of extra luxury, you can book to stay in the private five star Riad area of the hotel, complete with its own pool. This was a true haven of peace and offers lush suites with private terrace or garden as well as privileged services such as room service for breakfast and champagne in the evenings as well as extended concierge service.

A real highlight of my stay was the ‘white evening’ where everyone dresses in white for the outdoor BBQ buffet, which was stunning. Fairy lights are strung between trees, and the desserts are plated up hanging from tree branches - it was very ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and I loved eating outdoors surrounded by sparkling lights and the beautiful serene gardens. The tables are dressed white to match the theme and everyone gets involved - it was the perfect way to end our trip.

Of course, no to visit Marrakesh would be complete without taking in the exotic sights and sounds of Jemaa el-Fnaa - the large public square in the city centre filled with small merchants, hawkers, and entertainers which are popular with tourists and locals alike. The hotel runs a regular shuttle bus into the city centre, making it easy to pop in for some shopping and sightseeing. Once here you can nip into the narrow alleyways of the shopping souks to pick up amazing souvenirs ranging from handbags and shoes to pottery, lanterns, and artwork. I was in my element! It’s always good to have a haggle over prices, and it’s a great way to get to chat with local people. I bought a wooden chess set and ‘magic’ wooden box from a seller who uses his feet and hands to lathe the wood into shape, and we watched him work for ages, entranced by his amazing skill. Entering each shop is like going into a world of treasure and mystery, and you are always met with smiles and welcome – it’s one of the real highlights of being in Marrakesh.

At night Jemaa el-Fnaa is a different world, busy, bustling and frenetic - full of street artists, snake charmers, and many small pop-up eateries cooking fresh food over open fires - the atmosphere is electric! Locals gather round games being played and hawkers call out to sell their wares.

I am totally won over by Club Med’s friendly, warm atmosphere and amazed by the diversity of locations you can visit with them - from Brazil to China! And it is also well worth considering Club Med for a skiing trip, as their all-inclusive packages mean they work out a superb value for money. Call me to find out more!