La Sultana Marrakech
Originally founded as a garden city in the 11th century , today ’ s Marrakech still boasts many of the aspects that attracted the hippie era elite , along with a historical fortified city and medina that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . A trip to Marrakech can include walking ancient , cobbled streets and haggling at souk markets for bargains while dodging camels and donkeys , or dining at the new five-star Nobu Hotel and getting indulgent treatments at the La Sultana Spa .
WHERE TO STAY
The most authentic type of accommodation in Marrakech is a riad — a traditional house built around a courtyard that ’ s operated like a small boutique hotel or B & B . However , be aware that Morocco is a Muslim country and many locally owned riads and restaurants do not serve alcohol .
FOUR SEASONS RESORT MARRAKECH
Many of the high-end hotels are in Marrakech ’ s Hivernage district , including the Four Seasons Resort which is nestled in a 16-acre oasis that creates a lush garden sanctuary . Accommodations include luxury suites with private pools , garden patio rooms , and pool view rooms . Two large pools cater to adults and children , while the resort spa and fitness club offers the ultimate in relaxation .
NOBU HOTEL MARRAKECH
One of the newest hotel hotspots in the city , the Nobu Hotel is in the Golden Triangle , close to the city ’ s historic souks , Medina , and Djemaa el-Fna square . It features Nobu ’ s world-famous sushi restaurant , a rooftop garden with views of the Atlas Mountains , and a circular pool
deck . All signature suites offer the height of luxury , culminating in the 2,368-square-foot Nobu suite , which is decorated with local artwork and overlooks the Koutoubia Mosque .
PESTANA CR7 MARRAKECH
Soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo is an unexpected personality on the Marrakech hotel scene having teamed up with the Pestana Hotel Group to open a modern take on a traditional riad . The Pestana CR7 Marrakech is located on trendy M Avenue close to chic boutiques and art galleries , and within easy walking distance of the Medina Gardens . An aptly named restaurant called The Sports Bar serves tapas , while a brasserie offers Ronaldo ’ s native Portuguese cuisine .
GETTING THERE
Fly nonstop from Dulles International to Casablanca , Morocco on Royal Air Maroc . From there take a 2.5-hour train to Marrakech . Trains leave every couple of hours .
WHAT TO DO
MEDERSA BEN YOUSSEF
One of Marrakech ’ s most impressive architectural structures is the Medersa Ben Youssef , which was built in the 14th century by the Marinid Sultan Abu Inan Faris as a religious school for Islamic studies . It was later expanded to add a courtyard surrounded by two levels of arched galleries decorated in colorful tiles and carved stucco . The main building is built of red sandstone and filled with mesmerizing geometric patterns , featuring pools , fountains , and gardens .
MUSÉE YVES SAINT LAURENT
Fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent was one of the many celebrities who visited Marrakech during the 1960s , spending two weeks there every December and June to design his haute couture collections . His legacy lives on in this stunning museum in his honor , which opened in 2017 and resides on Yves Saint Laurent Street near the picturesque Majorelle Garden where Saint Laurent and his partner , Pierre Bergé , once lived . The museum itself is made up of a large exhibition hall featuring over 7,000 YSL garments , accessories , photos , videos , and sketches . It is like walking into a vast fashion show that transcends decades with the most stylish looks from each era . The exterior of the building is just as cool , as it is decorated in a lace of bricks to represent weaves of fabric .
JEMAA EL-FNA
This outdoor marketplace in Marrakech ’ s medina quarter is an essential shopping destination but not for the faint-hearted ! It invokes memories of the Cairo market in Raiders of the Lost Ark as locals set up stalls selling orange juice , spices , and traditional medicines . Snake charmers show off their skills , while monkey trainers entertain enamored tourists . After sunset , the evening entertainment erupts into a flurry of music , Gnaoua dancers , acrobats , poets , and restaurants serving food to the hungry crowd . The festivities continue until midnight — but beware of pickpockets after dark .
EL BADI PALACE
Built to celebrate victory in the battle of the Three Kings over the Portuguese army in 1578 , El Badi Palace is a legacy of the grandeur of the Saadian Dynasty and was once home to Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur and his harem of 500 women . The marble columns , ornate carvings , and carefully crafted mosaics were designed to combine traditional Moroccan and European styles of the 16th century . It also features a large pool in the center of the courtyard surrounded by gardens and fountains , while a colony of storks inhabit the outer walls and ruins .
BELDI COUNTRY CLUB
A short drive outside of the city center and en route to the airport , the Beldi Country Club is nestled in 35 acres of lush grounds with a backdrop of the Atlas Mountains . It is the perfect place to wind down after the bustle of Marrakech before an international flight home . Guests can either stay at the hotel or visit for the day to enjoy lounging by the pool , lunch on the terrace , and then a wide selection of traditional spa treatments . The Beldi ’ s spa is designed like a tiny Moroccan village and offers traditional massage , hammam treatments ( which use hot steam to create an invigorating cleanse ), and a variety of bath experiences . Be sure to visit the country club ’ s souk before you depart to buy any last-minute gifts and Moroccan handicrafts .
FLYWASHINGTON . COM 24 WINTER 2023-24