Tag Archives: Marrakech

Best of Marrakech

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My recent trip to Morocco was an experience of polar opposites, dust and diamonds. I was visiting the choatic and leather stinking medina of Marrakech but staying in the most luxurious accommodation I have ever seen. Arriving early on Wednesday morning we had five full days to fit in an itinerary of activities, exploring and relaxation.

Best shopping: venture into the souks and head to the Bloom boutique for brightly coloured handcrafted gifts, clothes and souvenirs. We picked up some especially pretty postcards to send home.

Best cafe for lunch: Cafe des Epices is a favourite with foreigners. Try the simple lamb kefta wrap with salad and a fresh orange juice. If you decide to sit in the sun on the balcony Epices provide straw hats to cool you down and you can watch the souk sellers hustling with the crowds down below.

Best out-of-city adventure: Camel ride in the desert, at Kasbah Le Mirage Marrakech. After wrapping up in our dashing blue robes we mounted a herd of affectionate camels. I thought it would be a short token ten minute walk around, in fact we trekked through the scorching desert for nearly two hours. Not for the faint-hearted, but seriously good fun.
http://www.kasbahlemirage.com/en/excursions_loisirs.html

Best for history: Many historic tourist attractions are long and tiring to see in their entirety. The Saadian Tombs is a manageable and atmospheric site which were sealed up for centuries until their rediscovery in 1917. The tombs show intricate carving and beautiful tiling and blooming orange trees soak up the rays in the courtyard.

Best romantic retreat: La Sultana is a lovers’ lair. The poolside dinners are special and intimate, with a musician strumming in the arches and a menu of Moroccan delicacies to choose from. On a clear night you can see the stars from your seat.

Best authentic spa: Hammam de la Rose is a modest and charming spa in the centre of town. You must try the authentic Moroccan Hammam and massage for a revitalising cleanse and relaxing reboot.

Best magical Moroccan accommodation: La Mamounia has a long and legendary history with celebrity guests ranging from Winston Churchill to Elton John. If you are visiting Marrakech it is the place to stay. Beautiful five star luxury moments away from the medina with traditional decor and fantastic facilities.

Best hidden paradise: Royal Mansour is a palace where no luxury is overlooked. With a network of underground tunnels the personal butler service is amazing and no detail is forgotten. Expect the unbelievable and imagine the unimaginable, this hotel is one you will remember for the rest of your life.

Experience the subtle and the sublime in Marrakech. There aren’t many places four hours from home where you can experience rich heritage and history and indulge in such extravagance.

Palais Namaskar, Marrakech

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Palais Namaskar is one of the many luxury hotels in the Palmerias area. Situated 30 minutes drive out of the buzzing city centre, it is a great option for those looking for a Moroccan holiday not based around the Medina.

At the grand entrance, the friendly staff welcome you into the complex and are eager to help you feel at ease from the moment you arrive. The spacious grounds and contemporary architecture offer a relaxed environment for guests to use and enjoy. I was very impressed by the attentive staff waiting round ever corner to assist you.

Before you reach your room, visitors are sure to be amazed by the glistening water walkway that leads out to the lush and lavish gardens. Ahead of you, the centrepiece Palatial restaurant and Sunset bar invite you to try out their international cuisine.

Rooms and suites are found down discreet leafy paths, while the more exclusive villas and riads are hidden amongst the gardens. We were delighted with our lovely suite complete with private pool. After dashing about Marrakech seeing the sights, this provided the ideal retreat to completely relax and recuperate for the final two days of our stay.

The decor in the rooms is modern and simple, and there is definitely no shortage of space. The ceilings are high, the light is plentiful and the design makes the rooms feel airy and cool, much appreciated when the scorching sun is reaching 40 degrees outside. Guests will be pleased to notice the Bang and Olufsen appliances including large televisions, sound systems and swanky telephone system. I was more pleased about the Nespresso machine and wonderful log fire which, if the temperature dropped, can be lit at your request.

The bathroom was one of the most awe-inspiring I have seen – big enough to host a dance class, with walk-in dual power showers and a lovely freestanding bath tub. Designer toiletries were supplied by well known brand Bvlgari. In the adjoining bedroom huge curtains provide darkened space so you can fully enjoy the indulgent bed. We slept miraculously well.

I’ve never had my own pool before so most of our time was spent lounging here and making the most of our (not-so) private terrace.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner is served by the perfectly blue-azure pool. I loved the swaying drapes of material and the birds’ morning songs, but wasn’t so sure about the energetic soundtrack provided by the house DJ. For those who see no need in leaving the resort, full board packages are available so you need not worry about arranging any meals. Breakfast is simple and fresh, just what you want in the hot climate. Lunch is lazy and laidback – I particularly enjoyed the salad and club sandwich. At dinnertime there is a choice of feasting on Moroccan or European classics, I would advise opting for the more traditional meals. Undoubtedly, it is the Sunday brunch that Namaskar guests will return home boasting about. A vast array of seafood, vegetables, cheese and specialty meat is all on offer to choose from, and if that isn’t enough, you can ask for something more hearty from the BBQ grill. Overwhelmed for choice, we inevitably overloaded our plates; everything was delicious.

We left Palais Namaskar after two days of relaxation, a blissful end to our Moroccan adventure.

More information here: www.palaisnamaskar.com

Royal Mansour Spa, Marrakech

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The spa at Royal Mansour is awe-inspiring, a temple of wonderful white arches and palatial patterns. The building itself is a staggering 27,000 sq ft, an authentic Moroccan spa with its own separate private entrance and driveway, it is reason alone to visit the Mansour property, and many do come for a day of ultimate relaxation.

In a country that is so relentlessly hot this pure and peaceful retreat is much appreciated by guests. Down a serene walkway you reach the main lobby hall, a spacious room to sit and reflect before your chosen treatment. Those guests wishing to use the facilities first have plenty on offer: two hammams, a hairdressing salon, manicure and pedicure suites, Watsu bath area and relaxation area are all available for your perusal. If you get peckish the Salon de thé is a lovely cafe with healthy dishes, herbal teas and fresh fruit juices.

The treatments are numerous and varied, catering to all requirements and needs. I was most interested by the range of products and brands available for the facial therapies. The inclusion of marocMaroc, Sisley, Dr Hauschka and Chanel strongly represent French, German and Moroccan beauty traditions. Each option has a different focus, be it age prevention, moisture, balance, deep cleansing or luxury indulgence. Some of the facials have set layouts, others can be tailored to fit specific skin types and the client’s preferences.

I breezed in, instantly cooled by the icy interiors. A citrus drink was given to me to sip at before my marocMaroc facial. I was keen to try their brand of facials after experiencing the products already in my room. marocMaroc was the first luxury skincare line to combine Moroccan pleasure, comfort and efficiency. It hopes to tell a story of this beautiful country whilst pampering and soothing all your senses. Made from all natural ingredients the products manage to be high quality but low maintenance.

My facial was lovely, not intrusive nor prescriptive, but purely for comfort and indulgence. The therapist layered my skin gradually with different products to remove dirt and to exfoliate – gently freshening and brightening the skin. A mask and thick cream added much needed moisture for my sun-exposed skin.

After the treatment my therapist escorted me to the relaxation room to relax and wake up! I stood on the small balcony and felt amazingly refreshed and clear headed.

The Royal Mansour spa is a paradise waiting to be discovered, once you have entered this white wonderland you will never want to leave. A shelter for the soul and refuge for the body.

More information here.

www.royalmansour.com