Anniversary in Marrakech

We stayed for four nights at this beautiful Riad, located in the Medina just a 15 minute walk to the Jemaa El Fna, the centre of all the action. Our arrival at the hotel was greeted by mint tea and cooling towels, and we were soon in a position to relax.

Our room (the Safi) was imaginatively decorated, with a huge bed, and the bathroom contained a super sized bath which was larger than some hotel pools I have swam in. The room was painted in soothing greens, though being in an internal courtyard did not offer much light. A curiosity was the lack of any locks, though a safe was provided for passports and cash, etc. The furnishings were very traditional (each room is supplied and decorated by a different designer). There are no TVs or minibars, etc. Just peace.

Meals and drinks can be taken in your room, outside in the courtyard, or on the rooftop patio, which provides a view over the medina walls where the storks do indeed nest. Very atmospheric. The management are very helpful in securing restaurant reservations, and making arrangements for day trips.

Half an hour from Marrakech City centre is a very different outdoor eating experience from the Moroccan norm. This restaurant is set in a garden and surrounded by large white linen tents, with a series of tables gathered around a water feature in the centre. Groups eat in the tents and couples around the pool.

It is all lit with candles and lanterns, with a gentle sound system floating through, playing initially Euro pop, then as the evening progressed a more chill out Latino vibe. Portable Gas fires are distributed later when the temperature drops.

Food is based on a French theme, with local specialities added. Portions are quite small and could be warmer by the time they hit the table. Service is attentive.

Expensive yes! But for a romantic evening out under the stars it is difficult to beat.

Lovely!

Overlooking Jemaa El Fna. This very popular tourist choice offers superb views and a lively night with local music and dancers. Food is Moroccan of a high quality together with a good wine list. It's a good value choice for the quality of both food and entertainment.

We were lucky to get a last minute reservation, ask for a window view over the square.

Limited time? Fed up with bartering in the Souks? Try the fixed price shopping plaza in the Kasbah. This is purely a shopping stop, without the atmosphere and fun of the souk. But! This huge warehouse of a place does have the largest range of souvenirs in town, and some of real quality you won't find anywhere else.

The prices are very fair and comparable to what you would achieve after a hard barter session in town. If you want a result without the work you can do no better.

I very rarely use this website to criticize a business unless it is a dire warning. As it was our anniversary we thought we would much prefer flying with a full service airline. Bad mistake. Outbound we were codeshared to Atlas Blue. There was no seat room at all and I was in pain throughout the trip, whilst my wife was actually bruised by her seat. Food and beverage service abysmal.

The return was the full service airline and seating space and food was much better. Shame the a/c on the flight did not work. Unbearably hot throughout the journey and Both my wife and I were ill afterwards.

In 30 years of travel this is the worst airline I have flown with. I suggest you fly Easyjet here, and save the money, they are much better.