Barts Best of: Marrakech, the nicest addresses in the Moroccan royal city
This is Bart's Best of: Marrakech, the best addresses in the Moroccan royal city.Okay, almost the best, because the very best are in our guide.).
On the one hand, it is hot and dusty: street vendors ruthlessly vying for your attention in the medina's souks, smells and sounds 24/7, and it feels as if you are being hurled back in time decades. On the other hand, the fairytale of 1001 Nights comes to life there. The red brick medina bursting at the seams, set against the bright blue sky and green palm trees. The stalls selling everything and more, from colorful ceramics and spices stacked in pyramids to handmade furniture and lanterns. Once you have haggled over a Berber rug, watched the world pass you by while cooling your mint tea in an old-fashioned café on the lively Jemaa El Fna square, and checked into your own fairytale for a moment, you are sold.
Any tips? We get it! Then your best bet is to purchase our up-to-date e-book, including Google Maps, with all the in-the-know addresses in Marrakech.
We add a new riad to our list: L'Hôtel Marrakech. Although… Riad… It is quite a luxury hotel disguised as a riad. Because yes, L'Hôtel Marrakech is of course related to the hotel of the same name in Paris (L'Hôtel Paris). And yes: this is where we want to go! In the heart of Medina, close to the lively Jemaa El Fna Square and the 12th century Koutoubia Mosquet, lies this historic riad. With five luxurious suites surrounding a lovely courtyard and swimming pool, L'Hôtel Marrakech is certainly a place we can get used to. From quick fries to fancy dining, they have it all. What more could you really want?
More options perhaps? We have! A list of the most beautiful/ nicest/ you want it riads in Marrakech.
…And these are the best at Schiphol hacks From Team Barts Boekje! Because you are going to Marrakech – most likely – by plane, and there is a good chance that plane will depart from Schiphol. With the right knowledge, your holiday there will start off ultimately relaxed. And it just so happens that Team Barts Boekje has a wealth of experience and, therefore, tips!
Many people feel that the holiday only begins once you have arrived at your destination, but that is a missed opportunity. That first cappuccino at the airport, the Italian pizza for your evening flight, and some nice shopping for your destination is all part of the experience. How do you get the most out of it? Not many people visit Schiphol more often than 'we' from team Barts Boekje, with our boundless wanderlust. After all, we have to personally collect the best travel tips, wink. That is why we asked the team for their best Schiphol-hacks and we'll list them for you. You're welcome. You can read all the tips here.
This is a textbook example of images saying more than words, but we're going to give it a try anyway. The interior of Kenzara Suites is Moroccan through and through and completely contemporary. Color alternates with natural shades and materials and contrasts beautifully with each other. For example, you have the Red Room and Blue Room, where the colorfulness just doesn't jump off the wall, while the roof terrace remains neutral with lots of wood and white and cream tones. This beautiful riad is straight out of 1001 fairy tales.
Look, we already have the first typical The Souks tip, one that you hardly read anywhere and where it is oh so delicious: Lemons. An Italian restaurant with a lovely green and white courtyard. Wine is served, which is still not the case everywhere in Marrakech, especially not in the Medina. The classic Italian meals are delicious and the service excellent. Also nice: you can have a taxi drop you off almost at your doorstep. That's nice indeed, because it significantly reduces the chance of getting lost. Ask for Bab Taghzout, the taxi stop here and it is only a two-minute walk. Should be fine.
Bigua Café belongs on your to-do list, if only because we wish the sweet, lovely entrepreneurs all the best. Why is there a line (a line!) every single day at places like Nomad, Le Jardin, and La Famille? Of course, we know the answer to that: these places are amazing, and yes, you really should go there... But still: Bigua Café. Go. Bigua is a bit in the style you know from the previously mentioned places, but in red. On top of that, Bigua has a more than nice view (small view) of a local market (small local market), and it is wonderfully quiet there.
Anyone in the mood for a mini road trip should definitely head to Dar Zahia, located in Taroudant, a historic city in southern Morocco. This beautiful, traditional riad is housed in a restored building within the walled medina. All rooms excel with local handicrafts and furniture, and in the central courtyard, you will find an equally impressive garden with citrus trees and herbs. From the rooftop terrace, you have views of the Atlas Mountains and the city walls. Naturally, you will want to stay for dinner: there isn't all that much to do in the surrounding area. That is no hardship, though: all ingredients come from the in-house garden, and the chef deserves a Michelin star. Be sure to let the host tell you all about Moroccan traditions and crafts – you will hang on his every word, I promise.
Why is there a line (a line!) every day at things like Nomad (see above, Le Jardin (see below) and Family? Yes, of course we know the answer to that: these things are great and yes, you really should go there... But still, how nice is it to be able to plug in a new business that also makes it happen? Value cool kids We recommend going there today in our guide!
You learn the best tips & tricks after trying a few times. Like this one: if you look at it museum of Yves Saint Laurent and want to see the gardens (and yes, you do: it is incredibly beautiful here), then buy a combination ticket at YSL. Everything opens here at 10 o'clock in the morning (note, it is closed on Wednesdays). It's a piece of cake, not expensive and then you can walk along the line at the gardens whistling (all day long). Because you already have a ticket. Tada!
One of the largest and most beautiful hotels in the world and, as they say themselves, the ShowCase From Marrakech – from the very first step into the front garden, La Mamounia is impressive. The hotel is large and a room is expensive. One of the small (read: larger than an average Amsterdam apartment) riads in the courtyard is virtually unaffordable. However, what many people do not know is that you can also enjoy the hotel without staying overnight: with a day pass to the hotel spa (approximately €60 pp), you have access to the fully renovated (read: restored) bathhouse, indoor and outdoor pools, nail studio, massage salons, hammam hall, and hairdressers. And it is oh-so beautiful there.
Every city has those places that, no matter what, are not to be missed, no matter how many times you have been. In Marrakech it is Le Jardin that is without a doubt one of them. Through a narrow door enter you enter the small piece of green and you are immediately completely isolated from the hustle and bustle outside - yes, it is possible. The menu features dishes from all over the world with a Moroccan twist. Salads, pasta and, of course, tagine and everything never more expensive than 15 euros. You can relax on one of the lounge sofas. Good to know: Le Jardin is just a few steps away Terrasse des Épices, a fantastic roof terrace. For the pre- or post-drink, for example.
The light colors, being outdoors, the organic, healthy, no-fuss atmosphere. The menu is limited, though. La Famille is a restaurant in a beautiful garden that is open for daily changing meals. Good to knowDefinitely go to La Famille for lunch, because grabbing a quick snack isn't really the intention here. And while you're there, be sure not to skip the little shop. It would take a clever person to walk out empty-handed.
A small critical side note: the last time we were here, the food was still just as good. However, the charm had a rough edge; a tad more love and La Famille would be back to its old self in no time. Nevertheless, this Marrakech classic is on our list.
In a side alley off a street remarkably wide for the medina stands Riad El Fenn: a hotel with twenty-eight colorful rooms, countless corridors, staircases, and nooks, filled with contemporary art in a traditional setting. This begins at the bright pink entrance with a floor covered in babouches (Moroccan leather slippers) and continues up to the rooftop terrace, where you will find one of the hotel's three swimming pools, as well as the restaurant, where a Moroccan menu with a Western twist is served from early morning until late evening: burgers with couscous, for example, chicken tagine, and a changing daily special. Definitely a gem and wildly popular.
Rooftop restaurant Nomad, in the heart of the medina, is one of the few Marrakech favorites that isn't part of a hotel. Because gosh, it is so fun, tasty, sunny, and relaxed there. You do have to put in a bit of effort, though, because you can easily walk past Nomad (a few times) and you don't want to ask for directions in the medina – before you know it, you’ll be walking around in circles chasing someone who doesn't know the way either. Find a spot around the bar, where most of the shaded tables are, or go up another floor, or another. On the menu: light, quite Western dishes, but all with a Moroccan base: mezze,, yogurt dips, Moroccan gazpacho, harira (Moroccan soup), and much more.
