Marrakech in May ...whaddaya reckon. Anyone been ?

[AnyFucker]

So, we are tied to school hols and a relatively short flight.

Sick of baking to feck in Spain/Greece in July but find them too cool for my love of sun and sea swimming in May.

I hear good things of Marrakech but never been anywhere like it.

Any experiences, tips, best places to stay, confirmation the weather will be fab at May half term ? Or even Easter.

Cheers

Haven't been before either but going very soon.
We are staying in the medina in a riad but there are some lovely hotels around. The weather is still warm around the mid twenties.
How old are your kids? we are child free this trip.

Marrakech is lovely and fascinating. Riad tizwa in Marrakech is very likely to be nice www.holidaymarrakech.com/home.php?lang=en I've never been there but my SIL runs riad tizwa fes and I've met the British owners who have very high standards. Otherwise if you want total relaxation and lazing by pools a modern hotel with a pool would be great.
Djemaa el fnaa is extraordinary, even now when it's 50% tourist attraction.

restaurant recommendations would be much appreciated.

I'm going at Easter with a 9 year old and 12 year old (plus a reluctant DH ) I'd also love any restaurant recommendations!

Sorry for late reply. Thanks for recommendations. Don't really know where to start (as a seasoned Europe-visiter)

Will just have 15yo DS with us and prefer more European style hotels with pool etc.

what is a "riad" btw

www.riadalmassrah.com

try again www.riadalmassarah.com

A riad is a traditional Moroccan house built around a central courtyard. They look like nothing from the outside but are usually huge and stunning on the inside.

There are lots of hotels in the palm grove outside Marrakesh town that are great to relax in. You can take a taxi to the Medina or Gueliz any time you like - and most hotels have shuttles.

Go for dinner (at least) at La Mamounia. Unmissable.

we stayed at the riu tikida garden, i think with Thomson

It was lovely. Very cared for in calm hotel, which was lovely to relax in after the madness of the main city!

I have booked a spa day and lunch at la Mamounia.

Marrakech is a fascinating, crazy place, but FWIW I've never found a trip there to be restful or relaxing! We're not usually ones for staying in big European-type hotels but I'd definitely consider it in somewhere like Marrakech - whilst the riads can be gorgeous, it's hard to find one with a decent-sized pool, and you'll certainly appreciate one in May!

It's an amazing place to just wander round but it can be hard to avoid unwanted attention - as the kind of person who likes to amble round at my own pace, nosying at things and just looking, I found it a bit frustrating sometimes!

Visting a hamman is an entertaining experience, though, and eating in the Djemma el-Fna of an evening is good fun, and fascinating.

I found Essaouira, on the coast, to be a lot more laid-back and relaxing, although not as entertaining.

I am in Marrakech as we speak, having been here since Friday. We're leaving for the airport in an hour.

It is a fucking BONKERS place. As a pp said, it's not exactly relaxing because it's so hectic, noisy and exciting. But if you have a nice hotel/Riad, you can chill out there for a few hours during the hotter part of the day to get some respite from the madness of the city.

This weekend it has been 36-38 degrees, which is much too hot for me personally, but I've managed to bear it because the city is so fantastic. I imagine it'd be pretty hot in May.

It's a wonderful, exciting place to see. Such a short flight from the UK, and the same time zone- but so very different culturally.

The food is beautiful, the people are very, very friendly (but many/most want to sell something!) The Hammams are incredible- and I say that as someone who wouldn't be very interested in going to a spa at home- I find that sort of thing boring, but the Hammams are a different matter.

I can't believe how hot it is! I thought it would be around the mid twenties! Will be there this week.
I am also going to an orphanage whilst I am there.

Essaouira (sp?) is more chilled out although I personally really like Marrakech. You could also look at Agadir and resorts near there, there are lots of surf schools you put your DS into if he is interested? Personal experience of Surf Maroc but there are plenty of others about.

Thanks all. Surfing ? Gosh, never thought there would be surfing

its amazing here! Highly recommended!

excited now booked to go on the 3rd of November fo four night just me and DP, any recommendations on places to eat vist, we are staying in a riad in the medina

we had a lovely lunch at cafe de Arab and can recommend al fassia for dinner in the new town.
if you have space in your suitcase I can recommend two children's charities. Which riad are you staying at?

We are going the week before xmas, We have booked cookery lessons at this place;
www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g293734-d4209997-Reviews-The_Amal_Moroccan_Restaurant_and_Women_s_Training_Center-Marrakech_Marrakech_Tens.html#REVIEWS
Kids can do it too.
Look on Tripadvisor loads of things to do and restaurants. Trip into the desert is also planned with the Riad we are staying in (they have car and driver)

Try to visit the Atlas mountains we did a trek and it was great. The Berber people we met were very kind and hospitable and it was good to escape the hustle and bustle and hassle of Marrakech.

jardinmajorelle.com/ang/ is definitely worth a visit.

The gardens are great. Good idea to get there early.