Marakech

[LittlePudding1]

I'm thinking of going to Marakech for 4 or 5 nights towards the end of January but have heard mixed reviews about the weather.

Has anyone been at that time of year?

Also, any recommendations on who to book with. I usually only book packages with tui or jet2 but they only have 4 days so I've been looking on Expedia for 5 days but there are so many properties to choose from.

Trip wise, I'd like to visit the Souk and maybe a trip to the Atlas Mountains.

If anyone has any hotel or must see recommendations that would be great. Thanks.

I cannot recommend a hotel as I haven't been yet - but I recently booked with love holiday which is basically ryanair flights and a hotel, not really a package as it doesn't include transfers. There are a number of large hotels a few miles out of the city which are mainly all inclusive and some have heated pools nd a spa so that is what I have chosen. Then if the weather is chillier than expected there will be lots of hotel space to hang around in.
The riads in the Medina do look stunning but there were far too many for me to choose from and I got overwhelmed!

Visited Marrakech twice this year and loved it.
What's the weather forecast?
I stayed in a hotel - palm plaza and a Riad Bab Nour.
Book a walking guide over on Get Your Guide or similar for the medina.
Try a traditional Hammam.
Lots of day trips over on Airbnb experiences. I did a food tour.
Your choice is really whether you want a more western experience in a hotel or a more traditional one in a Riad. If the weather isn't good then the advantages of a hotel, they normally have outdoor pools , may be limited if you are more interested in the buzz of the medina and the weather isn't good enough for swimming.

I went last month and stayed AI at Sol Oasis which was a lovely hotel.

Its a bit out of the way but there run a free shuttle into the city several times a day (needs pre booking) plus there a spa and gym if weather is a bit iffy.

Its was very warm when we were there but quite cloudy.

We got Ryanair flights and stayed here:

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/606251971742217796?source_impression_id=p3_1735158129_P3U6niGHB_Calq3S&guests=2&adults=2

The reviews speak for themselves. The host picked us up from the airport for free. The riad is by the city gate in the medina about 15 minutes walk to the main square through the souks. We went out to the Atlas mountains with airbnb experiences.

I'm at that hotel now! Stayed here last year for Xmas as well.

Weather has been lovely again.

We go out and about in the morning to do a bit of sightseeing & have a few hours by the pool in the afternoon.

I've been to Marrakech a number of times and previously always stayed in the city but fancied a more relaxed break now we're middle aged.

Another who stayed at the sol oasis. Lovely hotel - we were a group of 8. We went in october and the best part by far was a hot air balloon ride followed by the souk. Would love to visit again and stay in a riad to experience more of the city.

We stayed at a beautiful riad owned by a young French couple, Riad Yasmine. Absolutely stunning and right in the medina so you can walk every where without needing to go on a tour.
https://www.riad-yasmine.com/gallery/

No hotel recommendations as I've only toured in Morocco but depending what you want to see the Atlas mountains could be a good trek from Marrakech, so if you're heading there I'd definitely plan to stay overnight at the very least. I loved Ait Benhaddou when I went, like being in another world!

I did a yoga/ hiking retreat in the Atlas Mountains a few years ago
I flew into Marrakesh had a few days in a hotel opposite the main Medina & Souk
then a week in the atlas mountains

afterwards they dropped me off at the bus station and I got the bus ( like national express ) to Agadir where I spent 5 days on the beach before flying home

didn’t really enjoy any of it and wouldn’t go back

If you want a riad, highly recommend the Riad ZamZam - beautiful and the food is amazing

I visit regularly due to family and love it at this time of year. The days are warm and sunny but it gets dark around 7pm and cools down a lot, so you'd need to take layers. However, it's much easier to explore/shop etc when it's not boiling hot!

Also considering Marrakesh. How safe are day trips into Atlas mountains. Seen somewhere mentions of Daesh(Isis) rearing up again but cannot find where I saw that. Fco also mentions unrest with situation in Palestine etc.
Really really want to go so trying to make myself get a grip.

Marrakesh has a police section to specifically to protect tourists.
I have also read the fco guidance, I considered the risks to similar to other cities.
I felt very safe there and didn't see any demonstrations.

Organised tours are totally fine. The Atlas mountains are lovely to visit.

It's a safe country, as safe as anywhere as long as you take the usual precautions you would normally as a tourist.

I've been twice once in Feb and once in April, weather great on both.

When we went last time we had a couple of nights in a Riad and a week at hotel slightly out of town whilst in Marrakech. We also loved Essouria and did an amazing trip through the Atlas mountains into the Sahara where we went glamping. It was definitely one of our best holidays ever.

Riad/hotel in Marrakech

https://palais-mehdi.com/
https://www.riadbindoo-marrakech.net/fr/

In Marrakech - highly recommend going here for their cookery course, gorgeous time and a great cause supporting women - https://www.amalnonprofit.org/solutions/the-cooking-class

@Notmydaughteryoubitch Your tour to the Atlas mountains and Sahara sounds amazing. Do you have any information about it you could share?