Magical Marrakesh

In February 2018 we took a three-night break to Marrakesh in Morocco. We wanted time to relax, but to also experience the city itself. We therefore opted for two nights all-inclusive in a hotel roughly 6kms outside the city, followed by one night in a Riad, a traditional Moroccan house in the old town.

The first two nights we stayed at the recently opened Be Live Experience Hotel. The hotel is a great choice for both couples and families. You can lounge by the pool or relax with a drink in the lobby bar, all while the little ones enjoy the hotel-run kids' club and activities. The food at the hotel was excellent with nice touches like freshly squeezed orange juice at breakfast included, made to order snacks and a variety of Moroccan dishes to try.

The rooms are all nice and modern with a variety of rooms types to choose from including duplex, suite and double rooms. The hotel also provides free return shuttle buses throughout the day into the centre of Marrakesh for those who want to sample the old city.

On our final full day, we took a four-hour guided tour provided by one of our suppliers, which took in the Medina, Palaces and Tombs. I would highly recommend taking a guided tour as it is very easy to get lost and you will see and hear things you would probably miss if you went alone.

The tour included a stop at the Palais de Bahia. This palace and its gardens are one of the most beautiful areas in Marrakech. This haven of shady courtyards and mosaics was once home to the high and mighty of Marrakech, a place where rich men and their various wives would relax in their luxurious surroundings. Here you can stroll through the many rooms, whilst your guide tells you all the local stories about slaves and sultans.

You will also visit the Photography Museum. Here you can browse the rotating selection of 4,500 photos and get as close as you possibly can to glancing into the world of Marrakech 100 years ago. With portraits of the locals, vintage village scenes, and even photos of the Berber tribes of the Atlas Mountains, a visit to the Photography Museum is one of the essential things to do in Marrakech to really understand its history and culture.

You will also learn about the cities Mosques, visit interesting parts of the city like the Jewish quarter and the Kasbah and pass through the shopping area of the souks. Try out your bartering skills if you fancy taking home some local goods.

The tour finishes in the main square known as Djemaa El-Fna which is surrounded by cafes and restaurants. You can see snake charmers bewitch cobras with flutes, medicine men and even tooth-pullers! In the evening the atmosphere of the square changes as musicians and entertainers take their place. You can also sample the local food from one of the many food stalls around the square.

On our final night we stayed at the Riad Diana in the old Medina. The Riad is family run with just five rooms with panoramic views over the internal Arabic styled patio. The Riad boasts a central setting and an abundance of traditional Moroccan architecture and even a roof terrace if you want to escape the excitement of the city for a few hours.

Most of the larger hotels in Marrakesh serve alcohol and there are also some bars around the city, where you can get alcoholic drinks including wine, beer and cocktails. During our stay we enjoyed an evening in Kosy Bar, which boosts a great roof terrace and serves food.

I would highly recommend Marrakesh to anybody looking to experience a truly different culture during their holiday and I look forward to returning to this fascinating city once again!