Worried about Marrakech

[GoldieLocks09]

I’m usually not as impulsive as this (promise) but we’ve had a really tough few months and was just desperate for something to look forward to and with my DS4 starting school in September was limited as to when we could go away, this summer isn’t an option unfortunately, so looked into hot places in October to go in half term.

Found a lovely hotel on the outskirts of Marrakech, AI which I find better with kids even though myself and DH would rather explore, but this is us for the foreseeable and that’s totally fine. Flights were good, whole package was decent, great reviews on trip advisor etc. I rang DH and told him I was going to book it and he said go for it so I did. Buttttt I hadn’t hugely looked into Marrakech as a place and now I’m slightly worried.. excited after booking I started looking into threads for things to do with children (DS4 & DS9months) and experiences in Marrakesh and they’re really not great?

The resort is huge and has everything we need so don’t need to go out and about and the weather is meant to be good that time of year, but does anyone have good experiences they can share? Please!

What are your worries if you are planning on having a hotel based holiday?

Morocco is one of my favourite places, and I love Marrakesh! What are you worried about?

Marrakech is a great place to visit, in that it's interesting and exotic. I probably wouldn't chose to go with a baby and a 4-year-old, because a lot of the stuff is historic buildings, the souk, shopping and haggling for interesting things, etc. But if you're AI you don't even have to leave the hotel if you don't want to. The Jardin Majorelle is nice and you could do that with DC.

I loved it and would visit again. Stayed in Marrakesh.

Read the FCO advice on travel to Morocco www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco/safety-and-security

Personally it's not somewhere I would go, especially with young children. I went as a youngster and got a lot of hassle from older men and stares from older women, as a white, blonde woman. This was about 15 years ago so may have changed in that respect. It did not feel particularly safe.

The general vibe is that it’s busy, dusty and dirty and the men grab any foreign woman there.. I’m now slightly worried about the standards there I guess. It’s a 4* with really good reviews.

It’s a Live Experience hotel if anyone knows them?.. I’m also a white blonde woman…

is taking the young children just down to the historic side of things in that it will be boring or unsafe?

I had a tough time there with my mum but from what I saw, families with a man present were treated very differently and seemed to be fine. I would still recommend covering shoulders and legs but depending on your hotel it might be ok within the hotel.

Maybe avoid the main square (jemaa el fnaa) with the little ones as the ladies can grab you and start doing henna tattoos on you / throwing snakes around your neck for money etc but with an assertive husband you should be ok (ridiculous I know).

Also you can only really drink alcohol in hotels and should avoid smoking in public.

The Yves St Laurent garden / or jardin majorelle as I think a PP said is absolutely beautiful. Enjoy!

It entirely depends on where you stay. In parts it’s all luxury hotels and supercars.

Went a few years ago. Wore long trousers and long sleeve t shirts and carried a scarf/ wrap to cover head if needed.

Some hassle from street hawkers but a very firm "non, merci, au revoir" with a big smile worked. Cross body bag and keeping wits about you, as in any busy place.

Never had any issues.

Make sure the taxi drivers press the meter so you don't get ripped off and be very firm.

I love Morocco. Marrakesh isn't my favourite city but it's as safe as anywhere. Stay in touristy areas and you'll be perfectly safe and have a great time.

Morocco is a middle income country now and has an enormous number of tourists, it's changed a lot in recent years. Tourism has evolved to quite a serious business and the hassle to buy stuff is not as intense as it used to be. I didn't get any sexual harassment at all (I did cover up shoulders and below knees -which plenty of tourists didn't - and I'm approaching middle age which may also be a factor). I took my 4 year old last year and she absolutely loved it.

If you search YouTube there are quite a few vlogs chronicalling Marrakesh trips that you could have a look at, you should find them reassuring.

I've been three times, twice with female friends once with male partner.
Never had a problem or felt unsafe.

I got back from Marrakech at the weekend, and prior to going I had similar worries. However, I felt safe the entire time and had no problems from anyone, including when I was out with my blonde haired, blue eyed daughter. The people were equally friendly to my child as they were to local children in Imlil.
I made sure I dressed modestly when out and about, but you will see people wearing all sorts.
I also didn't hide away in my hotel. I caught the hotel bus into Jemaa el-Fnaa both during the day and at night. People will try and get you to go to their stalls, but 'non merci' will suffice, and my husband, who can speak a little french, had a laugh with some. We did steer away from the monkey handlers and snake charmers.
I recommend trying the tagines, yum! The fruit smoothies at the market are also tasty.

I'm there at the moment with DH and DD5. I've been before as a solo girl and had some hassle, but middle aged and with a kid in tow people could not be more friendly and genuinely helpful. Go. Be mindful of dressing modestly (it helps) and have an open mind.

I never felt unsafe as a woman in Marrakech, but i did get annoyed by people wanting to sell you stuff while in the Medina.
I think a place on the outskirts would be amazing

I should add, after reading one of your comments, it is busy and it is dusty, but it never hindered anything. There's also a lot of earthquake damage from last September, so lots of rebuilding.

As for the history side of things, I loved Badi Palace. As long as your child holds hands nicely or is on reigns, they'll be fine (there's a couple of sunken parts with no barriers otherwise).

We also went to a 1001 Nights Dinner show with Grayline. Your older child may enjoy that. They're very generous hosts with the food (there was so much food!!). The show does have some load bangs, so ear defenders would be a good idea.

Marrakech is amazing, been a few times and loved it (albeit without children). I am also white blonde and was never grabbed or felt unsafe. Just dress modesty. You don't need to cover head to toe, but no low cut tops etc. I'm sure you will have a fab time :)

You will get much less hassle with DCs with you.
I have been lots and the least hassle was with DD (blonde and 5)
Its a great place! Enjoy.

Probably the hotel has a shuttle bus into town.

I’ve been as a blonde youngish female and didn’t have any issues. Yes it’s a bit hot and a bit dusty but wasn’t hassled, groped, bothered. Outside of the city it’s beautiful and calm. We had a wonderful holiday.

The locals were very friendly and I’d imagine they’d be very welcoming of small children. I’m considering taking my children there for a holiday (including two blonde blue eyed girls and wouldn’t take any precautions above what I usually would in crowded places)

@HappyKatieA do you have any advice for planning a trip to morrocco 10 days Christmas with teens? Must dos/ avoid etc

I went a couple of years ago and it was absolutely fine - it may have been different on my own or with female friends but with my husband I got absolutely no hassle at all. I dressed relatively conservatively but not massively so (midi dresses etc). The newer part of Marrakech is full of luxury hotels and fancy restaurants, the souk is a proper maze but very friendly and interesting, people were unbothered if you said “no thank you” or “non, merci.” I would do your AI & book on an organised tour of the souk through your hotel if a bit uneasy.

I’d continue with the hotel plans, but book a licensed guided trip to take you into Marrakesh and show you the sites. Tour guides must have a licence and wear the pass. The advantages are they know where to go, ( the souks are like rabbit warrens), they know the polite protocol regarding the Mosques and Palaces and they keep the touts and beggars away.
It is an amazing place.

I'd be tempted to look like a Muslim woman, covered up and wearing a scarf. This can look really chic

Having visited Morocco for both work and leisure I think this is OTT. Dressing modestly is one thing, but hajib and/or scarf etc is really not required. Certainly none of my Moroccan colleagues (at a financial institution) went that far.