Marrakech hotel query

[38woman]

Hi,
I turn 40 in March next year and am hoping to go to Marrakech with my partner. I am looking for a decent hotel quite close to the new town/action.
I went years ago and have lost my bearings completely. Booking.com is fantastic of course but thought worth asking for your opinions here? Also any activities to recommend?
Thank you so much

Photography museum
Jewish quarter
Jardins Marjorelles
The various mosques as the architecture is stunning.

The main square is shit.

I loved staying in the old quarter and getting lost in the narrow streets. We ate at cheap little cafes frequented by locals.

Thank you @Decidualcast this is really helpful. I had no idea about the museum but love photography so great suggestion. That's interesting as I considered the new bit but the old town sounds so much more interesting from what you have said. I am really grateful for your reply.

We stayed in the Medina in a Riad, which was lovely. There are many to choose from!
Also, I’d recommend visiting a hamman spa. You need to book the good ones. You can have a couples hamman.

You are welcome! I really loved my time there. It can get very hot and polluted from the motorbikes zipping through the streets. The photography museum provided a lovely and cool respite from the heat. I really enjoyed it.

As it’s a first trip, I definitely recommend the old town in a riad. I stayed in Riad Kbour & Chour. It was gorgeous. It is close to Jardins Marjorelle but quite a walk from the main square. I didn’t mind that at all as it gave my son and I time to discover little mosques and to see how the locals live.

You can organise day trips to the Atlas. I suggest hiring a car as it will be more fun and flexible compared to a group tour. We travelled with locals in a bus to the region and then got a guide to take us for a hike.

There are some beautiful hotels outside of the old town, but depends on your budget.

Thank you @Soontobe60 a Riad sounds interesting. I am so glad I wrote in. I am terrible at planning anything so would like to have some sort of itinerary ready so we can get as much done as we can.

Many thanks again @Decidualcast - yes Old Town it is, and will certainly look at Riads. I am sure I saw a royal train station too when travelling to the airport years ago so will look into that. I am flexible budget-wise as its a treat but we love a good deal too. I just didn't want to book somewhere that looked fab but was miles from anywhere. I remember the cabs being so hot to travel in!

As a word of advice, avoid being persuaded to follow any locals who say they’ll take you to a shop or guide you somewhere. It’s nothing scary from my experience, just that they may expect you to pay them at the end.
Haggle hard for any goods - I bought a beautiful bag that I saw an American pay 4 times the amount I did. Haggling is fun.
Buy rose water and argan oil for your skin. I order mine specifically from a little pharmacy in Marrakech.

The Medina Gardens, operated by Tui, is only 2 mins walk from the Katoubia mosque and 5 mins from the main square and souks, but unlike the riad hotels it is large enough to have massive gardens, large pool, tennis courts, gym, etc.
I went a few years ago, and loved the little touches, like fresh rose petals scattered on your pillow by the maid each night.
Just outside the main entrance is where you can pick up a horse drawn carriage ride around the old town.
Tui offer guided trips to the Atlas Mountains, to take mint tea with a Berber family in their traditional stone house with stunning views from the terrace. They also give you a local guide for the souks and square, so you don’t miss the amazing mediaeval shops, and don’t get ripped off.
The Majorelle gardens are also beautiful.
DD and I went one February, when the temperature was perfect for sunbathing and sightseeing.

Go to La Mamounia and have a mint tea in the beautiful gardens. Or a glass of champagne in the Churchill Bar if your wallet will bear it

@Decidualcast @Babdoc This is all so fantastic - thanks all of you. I will list all the suggestions in my book and plan carefully. Love the idea for the skin products too, I am a skin product lover so rose water sounds wonderful.

Following with interest as currently researching a twice postponed trip there!

Just checked. Glass of champers in the Churchill bar is£27!!!

But the mint tea is affordable. My DH is from Yorkshire and he was happy with it so it must be

If you want a special meal out, Al Fassia is a restaurant staffed and run by women. The slow roasted shoulder of lamb with almonds is amazing. It recently featured on Remarkable Places to Eat on TV.
I recommend getting a seat on the upstairs terrace of a cafe overlooking the square timed to watch the setting up of the evening food stalls. The sights, sounds and smells are amazing.
Buy spices in the souk for a fraction of the price at home.
Research etiquette for coping with hard sells in the souks, e.g wear sunglasses to avoid eye contact, be firm but polite ‘Non, Merci’ .
Dont let anyone put a monkey or snake anywhere near you. It will cost you.

How long is your trip? If you have a decent number of days, an overnight stay in the Atlas Mountains would be amazing.

You can also do a day trip to Essaouria.

We went in 2019 we stayed at Les Jardins de la Medina in a Sultane room. Very friendly, lovely breakfast and a good spa.
We also stayed Kasbah bab Ourika in the mountains - fabulous hotel and food. It was funny because of the guests it felt like we had invaded a country house just after the war. My husband even joked there better not be a murder 🤣

These ideas are amazing. Yes my French is not great by any stretch but I can get about with the basics. Love the idea of buying spices and plan to buy some bowls etc. but need to think about transporting them home. We are looking to go for four nights but to pack in as much as possible. My partner is very well travelled but it is somewhere he hasn't been yet.

Riad Meriem!

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/HotelReview-g293734-d526549-Reviews-RiaddMeriem-MarrakechMarrakechhSafi.html?m=19905

I stayed there in 2006 I think and I found the business card last night and checked it on trip advisor, still getting fantastic reviews!