ULIFEW4THURS

48 Hours in

Marrakech
Haven’t been to the Red City yet? We say go fast

WHAT TO SEE. WHY MARRAKECH?

Jemma el Fnaa To experience something completely
new in under four hours. The world
The main square in the Marrakech has become a village, and as much
Medina, Jemma el Fnaa is an assault as we love popping to Europe for a
on the senses in every meaning of city break, stocking up on Zara and
the word. During the day women eating food we’re familiar with, a
offer henna tattoos, sell lanterns or culture shock without the long hall
sit and chat while tourists wander flight is worth a try. And that’s
down winding lanes buying leather, exactly what Marrakech provides.
homewares and jewellery (bring
an empty suitcase, the homewares WHERE TO EAT
shopping is incredible); but at night-
time, the entire square becomes an Only a handful of restaurants in
open air restaurant with street food the Medina serve alcohol, so if it’s
available everywhere you turn. Expect a boozy lunch or leisurely dinner
friendly banter as waiters jostle to get you’re after, visit one of the many
your attention and custom. Fun, but resort hotels on the outskirts of
not for the faint-hearted, the square is town - we recommend Saoussane,
an experience in itself. the Moroccon lounge at the Kenzi
Menara Palace Hotel for traditional
Jardin Majorelle Ourika Valley food, delicious wine and a fun
atmosphere with a live band.
Origially opened in 1947, the Waterfalls, beautiful scenery and some
gardens gained worldwide appeal peace and quiet after the madness of However, if you want to stay
in the 1980s when Pierre Berge and Marrakech, the Ourika Valley is well close to the action, check out Café
Yves Saint Laurent stepped in and worth a day trip, especially if you can Arabe, Kosybar or Restaurant
bought them to prevent a hotel combine it with a trip to a traditional le Marrakchi in the Medina itself.
from being built on the site. The Berber village. Most hotels will have The last two are just off the main
pair maintained and extended the excursions they can recommend but square but to find Café Arabe, we
gardens while living on site and for a cheaper and more authentic suggest grabbing a tuk tuk, closing
since Laurent’s death his studio experience travel with a local taxi driver. your eyes and praying you arrive
has been turned into a museum Just make sure to agree rates before alive! Expect to pay under €10 for
honouring Berber culture and you leave. The Setti Datma is famous a return trip, and try to plan your
containing the designer’s personal for its seven waterfalls but be warned, if visit for sunset so you can make the
collection of Berber artefacts. The you have notions of strolling to the top most of the rooftop bar. Food is far
gardens can get crowded but are in flip flips think again, this is a serious from traditional but if it’s tasty and
well worth a visit, if only to finally hike. Which is why we looked up fron comes with a side of gin who are
understand what Majorelle blue is the bottom of the valley! we to complain?
and to sample the delicious food
from the onsite café, all served
in a courtyard right in the middle
of the site. This autumn sees the
garden open a muesuem dedicated
to Yves Saint Laurent and his long
enduring love affair with Morocco
so we think we’ll be back.

WHERE TO STAY WHAT ELSE

Marrakech is one of those cities that has If you’re staying in a Riad
accomodation for all budgets, from riads that in the centre of town, the
cost under €20 a night to five star palaces where hustle and bustle can become
the sky’s the limit, it has it all. We’ve stayed in overwhelming after a day or
the medina, in the heart of the bustle and we’ve two, so we suggest booking
stayed on the outskirts of the city so this time, a day visit to one of the
we opted for the Kenzi Menara Palace Hotel as it many spa hotels that have
perfectly straddles the two. The hotel is set in its popped up in recent years.
own grounds with a pool, spa, several restaurants Most have day packages that
and a to die for buffet breakfast. Rooms are include pool and spa access
arranged in the traditional Riad style meaning with lunch, our top pick is
that despite its size everything feels luxuriously La Mamounia because if it’s
homely. Staff are discreet and incredibly helpful good enough for SJP and
while the several times daily shuttle to Jemma el her Sex and the City costars
Fnaa means adventure is only minutes away. Three (who stayed there while
restaurants and a daily lunch buffet only added to filming SATC 2) then it’s good
the enjoyment! enough for us!

We spent happy hours lying
in complete peace by the pool,
with waitors from the nearby pool
bar attending to our every need
meaning we got to combine a
relaxing sun holiday with a culture
experience in a luxe hotel. Win win!

Kenzi Menara Palace is a
member of the Preferred Hotels
& Resorts Lifestyle Collection

www.PreferredHotels.com

what to pack for Marrakech

2 Go bright and white for poolside glam

loWvee! 5

3

1
4

1 Bikini top, €20, Bikini bottom, €20, F&F @ Tesco 2 Sliders, €85, Dune 3 Sheer Kiss Lip Oil in Coral Caress, €21, Elizabeth Arden 4 Photoderm MAX
Aquafluide Pocket SPF50+, €9, Bioderma 5 Beach bag, €41, V by Very @ Littlewoods Ireland