This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
At the moment the plan is to visit more than just one place – we’re thinking a city, the Atlas and a coastal leg? But we’re still looking for recommendations to argue through the final choices – there’s quite a bit of passion regarding whether or not we should be staying at Richard Branson’s mum’s place in the High Atlas Mountains. So I turned once again to the Hotel Gurus for guidance…so that I could beef up the case for my preferred itinerary. A bit!
Marrakech
Offering more than just a touch of exoticism and romance, Marrakech is a magical, far-away-feeling destination which is actually really easy to get to if you live in northern Europe. The colourful old souks, the cacophonous Medina and this great city’s graceful ancient buildings are all reasons to visit Marrakech in their own right. And these days, so too are some of the hotels and riads!
Where to Stay?
The Villa Dinari is a stylish, nine room Moroccan retreat, a little way out of Marrakech and surrounded by gardens. This villa has plenty of character, while still being modern and extremely comfortable, and they’ll serve you excellent meals in the dining room, or the terrace or on your own private patio. Doubles start from around £85 per night, breakfast included. Perfect for small groups, as well as couples or families.
The High Atlas
The Atlas Mountains rise green out of the burnt orange desert, a spectacular region which has become a playground for anyone who loves a bit of adventure in the great-big-outdoors. The Atlas Mountains are also where you’ll discover the purest form of Berber culture. Tiny, traditional stone villages cling to the mountainsides.
Where to Stay?
Kasbah Angour is a gorgeous converted Berber castle in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains with superb panoramic views. There are 25 rooms and suites, decorated with traditional Moroccan materials and locally made furniture, plus a large pool and beautiful gardens. Doubles start from around £110 per night, B&B.
Essaouira
Essaouira spreads along a long, smooth, sandy strip of Morocco’s Atlantic coast, the kind of place you can easily imagine Peter O’Toole’s Laurence of Arabia riding in to off the desert. Except for all the windsurfers and kitesurfers who love the constant wind. Essaouira’s port is still a vibrant fishing port and its medina still a busy marketplace.
Where to Stay?
The Essaouira Lodge is a comfortable, informal place to stay, in the countryside just outside buzzy Essaouira. There are 34 rooms and suites, doubles start from as little as £40 per night, arranged in a series of long, sandstone buildings and villas. If you want your own kitchen, terrace and sitting area then you can have it. Plus there’s a lovely heated pool and a romantic restaurant.
Fez
Fez is Morocco’s old and ancient capital, in many ways a rival to the power and popularity of Marrakech. Its old medina is just as cacophonous an assault on the senses, with its 90,000 winding streets and alleyways and in some places medieval lifestyles. And if anything, Fez is more fiercely Moroccan.
Where to Stay?
The Riad Anata is a light and contemporary, five room riad in a prime position in the centre of Fez. This is the perfect base for a city break, freshly renovated and with plenty of light. Doubles start from around £95 per night, B&B.
Tangier
Separated from Spain by just 20 miles and the Straits of Gibraltar, Tangier has long been considered Europe’s gateway to Africa. For much of its history it wasn’t governed by Morocco, and for part of the 20th century it was an International zone, so its culture, customs, architecture and influences are totally unique. It also means Tangier’s history is fascinating. As well as that, the beaches are white-sandy perfection and the views are incredible.
Where to Stay?
Just along the coast from Tangier, the Banyan Tree, Tamouda Bay, Fnideq is a large, chic and luxurious beach resort with stunning sea views and a white sandy beach. The decor is simple: wood floors, crisp linen and floor to ceiling windows, and there are 92 rooms (it’s all villa accommodation here). Villas start from around £230 per night including breakfast.
Practical Details
It always surprises me, but the flight to Morocco only takes about three and a half hours. British Airways flies direct to Marrakech, Casablanca and Agadir, all from Heathrow. While the Moroccan airline, Royal Air Maroc, flies direct from Heathrow to Casablanca and Tangier. EasyJet flies to Marrakech and Agadir, from Gatwick and Manchester, and Ryanair flies to Marrakech from Luton and Stansted. It’s even possible to travel all the way to Morocco by train – Eurostar to Paris, sleeper train through Spain, followed by a short ferry trip to Tangier then you can catch the train through to Marrakech via Casablanca! If you’re looking for the cheapest option, you might want to try flying to Málaga and getting the ferry across to Tangier.
Morocco is about the same size as France, so the weather varies depending on where you’re headed, but generally speaking the coasts have a Mediterranean climate, with hot, sunny summers and mild, wetter winters. In the middle band of Morocco you’ll find the Atlas Mountains and the Moroccan Sahara and here the temperatures can be extreme: in summer it can easily hit the high 30s or even 40°C and of a winter’s night it’s often below freezing. Marrakech is in this central band and summer temperatures in the city easily make it to 38°C, but winter averages are at a very comfortable 21°C – so definitely one to hold back on until October through May.
For more fantastic travel ideas and hotel recommendations from Hotel Guru, just click here.