13 places to discover that make Marrakech still so magical

13 places to discover that make Marrakech still so magical

Marrakech, three hours by plane from Belgium, a generous sun, an immense medina, a proven tourist welcome for years... And for some, perhaps the feeling of having gone around, between its famous place, its souks and stalls selling Berber souvenirs. However, the red city is constantly evolving, reinventing its offer, modernizing while keeping its soul, expanding its discovery circuits! And offers itself, still just as magical.

Lodging

>> You liked the riads of the medina, take off and leave the red city for:

Royal Palm Marrakesh

In the heart of an olive grove, not far from the Atlas Mountains and 12 km from Marrakech, the Royal Palm is simply magnificent, it feels like an oriental and luxurious tale . It has been well known since 2013 by golf players who can explore its 18 holes Par 72 on 75 ha of greens and fairways.

As soon as you pass the impressive lobby of this hotel, you are out of place: oriental blue, subdued lighting, Berber furniture and decoration with a touch of Mauritian inspiration (Beachcomber obliges), the place absolutely opens onto the outside , the gardens, the swimming pool, the golf course and further the Atlas mountains. Designed by the architect Jean-François Adam associated with the decorator Marilin Spitaro, it is sumptuous and terribly cozy. Along the (heated) swimming pool, there are many deckchairs and the swimming pool is so vast that everyone finds peace there.

On site, many couples, young or less and a quiet atmosphere. In November, the All Saints holidays see many families arrive. That's good, there's a great Kids Club!

Bedrooms. The smallest of the suites is 72 m² and goes up to 310 m², which is to say if you are comfortable. For an extraordinary occasion and even more tranquility, the Royal Palm includes 10 Villa des Princes (741 m² all the same...) with 2 bedrooms and adjoining bathrooms and above all swimming pool, landscaped garden and hammam.

Restaurants. Al Ain is the hotel's gourmet restaurant with chef Meryam Diane who leads a team made up entirely of women. They serve delicacies: pigeon soup, tagine of sardine meatballs (rather rare regional recipe), briouats, Soussi tajine called Berber, sea bass stuffed with walnuts, chicken tagines with lemon or lamb tagines with prunes, or vegetables , lamb barbecue, medfouna (pigeon dressed in angel hair), homemade pastilla. La caravane, the other restaurant, allows you to dine on the terrace, in subdued light with a view of the golf course and the Atlas.

Care. at the Spa by Clarins: signature massages such as the “Supreme Rose Massage” or Moroccan treatment rituals based on tailor-made products combining Moroccan and Mauritian essences. Its 3,500 m² is built around an indoor swimming pool. Also on site: a Leonor Greyl hair salon, a pedicure cabin, a barber and an OPI Nail Bar.

13 endroits à découvrir qui font que Marrakech est toujours aussi magique

What we like. Stroll along the gardens (cared for by multiple gardeners), to reach your suite: the plants undulate there in the breeze, the banana trees and palm trees invite you to an exotic daydream, which you can continue on your terrace overlooking a vast space dotted with coconut palms. Special mention to the extreme thoughtfulness of the staff, always accommodating, always caring. Go for a quad ride in the desert? Reach the Medina with a guide? Book a restaurant in town? Take advantage of the Agafay desert? Just ask. A dream...

The tip. You can go to the Royal Palm for the day. The Pool&Lunch Day Pass allows you to have lunch (3 courses) at the Olivier restaurant (the 3rd in the hotel) and to enjoy the swimming pool. 900 MAD, child under 12: 450 MAD.

Info. www.royalpalm-marrakech.com. Amizmiz road km 12 - BP 2470 Marrakech

scarabeo

In the stone desert of Agafay, a stone's throw from the Atlas and Marrakech, Scarabeo is a small hotel camp under luxury tents, designed by a Belgian couple, Florence Mottet* and Vincent T'sas, who fell in love with Morocco. and who criss-crossed it for years before landing in Marrakech. First in a riad in the medina, then in this extraordinary desert. 12 tents (suites and rooms) to enjoy a total change of scenery with incredible sunsets. The camp is scalable, it can grow and accommodate a wedding for example. The goal is to live simply but in comfort. You can also book to come and eat there in the evening a very fresh and tasty Moroccan cuisine. An intense glamping experience (glam camping) yet 30 minutes from Marrakech.

www.scarabeocamp.com

Restaurants and bars

>> You liked the café de la Poste in Gueliz and the café des Délices not far from the Jemma El Fna square. Go take the cost here:

The garden

It is the kingdom of green, an extraordinary place and a fairly trendy restaurant where you can eat fresh Mediterranean cuisine. We also go there to discover Nora Ayron's shop (see below) Restaurant le Jardin - 32, Souk El Jeld Sidi Abdelaziz

The Terrace of Delights

Marrakech aficionados are certainly familiar with the famous Café Des Epices, located on the Place aux épices, a few streets from Jemma El Fna. For a change we go to La Terrasse Des Épices, located in the heart of the souk 300 meters from the 1st establishment, and where you can enjoy delicious tajines on the roofs of Marrakech.

Family

It's all brand new! Jewelery designer Stéphanie Jewels succeeds in everything she touches. With her delicate “Thread of Life” jewellery, she adorned women's wrists with 1 to 7 delicate gold threads. But Stéphanie Giribone who lives in Marrakech wanted something else. She has just opened a restaurant “La Famille” facing the garden, the exterior. A beautiful and quiet canteen in the neighborhood of Riad Zitoun el-Jedid and Riad Zitoun el-Kedim streets, not far from the Bahia Palace. We eat finger food, tapas, tapenades, lots of fresh little things. And she has also set up a corner where you can find wicker baskets, macramé, small mirrors, small tapas. Riad Zitoun el-Jedid and Riad Zitoun el-Kedim

Nomad Cafe

In the heart of the Medina, we take to the heights on the marvelous terrace of Café Nomad to eat Moroccan cuisine revisited in a fairly lounge atmosphere. 1, Derb Aarjan.

Fashion and accessories

>> You liked going to Atika and Galerie Birkmeyer. You will love:

lalla

A shop of accessories, bags, leather, fabrics. A place in constant flux and change. In the medina and now a large showroom boutique in Gueliz

Max & Jan

A Success Story for a Belgian and a Moroccan from Casablanca who meet in Agadir and decide to launch a concept store that brings together clothes, accessories, creations by young designers. They have a sure taste that quite revisits ethnicity and branded t-shirts. Now, there are five Max & Jan stores in Morocco (Casa, Essaouira, Marrakech and Agadir), three stores abroad (in France and Belgium).

Norya Ayron

In a pop-up shop located in a wonderful place, "Le Jardin", Norya offers large dresses, tunics, djellaba, wax shirt dresses, ... comfortable but very stylish clothes. A designer with an original sense of fashion that has already seduced quite a few stars like Monica Bellucci for example. Pop Up Shop & Restaurant le Jardin - 32, Souk El Jeld Sidi Abdelaziz

Place Vendôme

Designer bag and luggage. Mohamed V Avenue

Deco

>> You loved Mustapha Blaoui, let yourself be dazzled by:

33 rue Majorelle

This concept store is located just opposite the Majorelle garden (which is the most visited place in Morocco and which is a delight). The designer had the good idea of ​​bringing together all the creators and designers who are reinventing the Moroccan tradition. Brands that revisit Moroccan craftsmanship. There are paper mache lamps, colored iron, small jewelry, small furniture. 33 Rue Yves Saint Laurent

Anitan

In the Majorelle district, a stone's throw from the garden, carpets from all over Morocco, with great taste, up to date and all handmade, the real handmade...

Shopping and gifts

>> You liked the souks of the medina; discover _

Sidi Ghanem

Handira by Charlotte Barkowski

To pronounce Sidi "Ranem"... if you go there by taxi, you won't be asked for triple the fare:) more than 60 brands have gathered there. An industrial district that has become a commercial, craft and industrial area of ​​Marrakech located on the road to Safi which notably brings together workshops of designers who revisit Moroccan craftsmanship. The workshops are open to the public and the production plants are behind! To have:

- the workshop of Charlotte Barkowski (the daughter-in-law of Valérie Barkowski, the creator of Mia Zia) which presents her Akki Kollections - Fenyadi , tableware and household linen- Via Notti , Household linen in Egyptian cotton percale embroidered.- Chez Zoé , top quality household linen- The general store - Amira Bougies : more than 27 colors for exceptional paraffin candles and candle holders

* Many thanks to Florence Mottet for her enlightened advice on new things inside and outside the medina!