Marrakech

[merlin]

How suitable for a all girls weekend? We enjoy a drink (or two) but was wondering how females are viewed drinking in bars?

Anyone got any experience?

Thanks.

It's not a drinky place. Booze is confined to the big hotels, and being closeted away in a big hotel would spoil going to a place which is mostly about the ambience. Tbh I love morocco and have been lots of times but I wouldn't recommend Marrakech for a typical girls weekend. It's busy it's hassly it's very 'foreign' which I love. Lots wouldn't

Thanks Obv. You have said exactly what I was thinking - just need to relay that to my girlfriends!

I would love to go with DH and experience the culture which as you say if we stay in a big hotel we may as well be anywhere!

Anyone else any experience please?

Can you wear shorts around the Medina/Souk or cover up - no bare arms/legs etc?

How strict is it?

Thanks

I went to Marrakech on my hen party (sounds an odd choice, but I wanted to be absolutely sure there would be no naffness!).

We were a group of 8 and had a great time - we all love shopping and culture, so it was easy to fill our time and please everyone.

Drinking was fine in our riad, we didn't go crazy but didn't have any problems. We also enjoyed cocktails and wine in restaurants, so while not sozzled, we weren't exactly sober!

It's not really a bar kind of place, and as a group of women we did attract some attention in the main square in the evenings, but nothing scary or uncomfortable, mainly just people trying to sell us crap!

We dressed modestly, but were OK in t-shirts and loose-ish/cropped trousers or dresses. You wouldn't walk around in shorts and a bikini top. In our riad we were happyily sunbathing in bikinis though with no issues at all.

I frequently travel to the Middle East and found Marrakech pretty relaxed if you're just out and about, but you're really immersed in the culture so are aware that you need to be respectful.

If you want a really relaxed stay, a riad is a great place to stay - you'll experience more of the culture (try one in the Kasbah, about a 10-15min walk from the main square.

Otherwise there are some lovely, more formal hotels in both the old and new parts of the city.

If your friends all want a boozy weekend, maybe do Marrakech with DH, if they're happy not to get legless, give it a whirl (and make sure you have room in your cases for your shopping!).

you could wear shorts and vests, but you would get far better reactions if you weren't.

i always cover legs and shoulders, it's just respectful

Marrakech is a great destination for a girls trip. I have been with freinds several times and always felt very safe and relaxed. We stay outside the City in a private villa. In Marrakech these are usually fully staffed so quite different from Europe. Amazingly good value it is like staying in a your own boutique hotel. You can then combine relaxing round your own pool to top your tan with dipping in and out of the excitement of the souks, the Medina and the clubs. Our favourite is Dar Tamazerte which has it's own website.

Go to Barcelona! Cheap to get to, cracking bar-scene - quite honestly the best city break I have ever had.

Sallyannie

That villa looks fab! Not sure though about being outside the main Old Town - how easy is it to get taxis?

If you have details of any other villas you have stayed in I would love to know about them please!!!

Cointreau (love the name btw) - done Barcelona several times and yes we love it! This time is one of my friend's 40th so we fancied something a bit different - hence Marrakech.

Merlin,

The villa arranges transport which is the same price or cheaper than a taxi.

Have also stayed at the Maison Arabe which is in the Medina and is fab (expensive) and a couple of others that are unremarkable.

You need to deceide if you want the full on experience in the hussle and bussle or the option of your own space. It also depends when you plan to go. If it is after about April and therfore hot you will probably not want to be in the CIty all the time. Hope this helps

Thanks for that Sallyannie.

We are looking to go around the third week of April so hopefully not too hot!

It does sound nice to be able to escape the hustle and bustle when we want to but equally think could be fun to be right in the middle of it all!!!!

Decisions, decisions! Thanks for your comments though!

Awwww, thanks OP ! It's new for 2011.

Sallyanniee

Have been in touch with the villa you recommended and it is free for when we want to go!!!!

Just seeing what the other girls think ......
One concern, was how long to travel into the MMedina by car/taxi - do you remember?

Thanks so much for the recommendation - I'm really excited!!!