A Hedonist's guide to… is an exciting new series of guides that explore the finest restaurants, the most stylish hotels and the chicest bars in each of our six cities. Designed to be the quintessential 'little black book' A Hedonist's guide to… has all the best addresses in town. This is the ultimate weekend break guide helping you optimise your weekend away; all the restaurants, hotels, bars, cafés and clubs are photographed so you know what to expect before you go.
A Hedonist's Guide to Marrakech
One of Africa's most stylish cities is a world away from the formulaic streets of Europe. We sent Paul Sullivan out to Marrakech for almost five months in total over a period of three years to compile the 2nd edition of Hg2 Marrakech.
'What's Marrakech got to offer?', I hear you ask
Well, everything is the answer. From the chicest small hotels (riads) in the world to fabulous food and glamorous bars, from rose-petal strewn beds to a way of life unchanged in a millenia and, of course, don't forget the shopping.
How long do I stay?
We'd recommend staying for a long weekend in Marrakech, much longer you might get a little bored - if you've got a week to kill head out into the High Atlas and climb Jebel Toubkal (the highest mountain in North Africa) or simply relax and stay at Richard Branson's superb Kasbah Tamadot. If the mountains aren't your cup of tea, hire a car and head down the coast to Essaouira and enjoy some sunshine at the beach or head inland to the edge of the Sahara Desert and visit some very dry little towns.
When should I go?
Avoid the summer at all costs, unless feeling like a roast chicken is really your thing. Spring and autumn are the best times to go - the temperature's idyllic and unlike the UK or the US there's very little chance of rain. Christmas can be a little cold - but there's always something about a log fire that gets our pulses racing...
Where should I stay?
Well, if you want to be in the middle of things you have to book a riad in the Medina - the narrow, sometimes claustrophobic streets, aren't for everyone but the style and design of the riads are everything. From Vanessa Branson's Riad El Fenn with its modern art collection and literary retreat to Riad Farnatchi, lost in the labyrinthine streets but gloriously luxe. If you want to be a little quieter and more extravagant head into the Palmeraie and stay at Ksar Char-Bagh (our publisher's pick of the hotels) or the sublime Dar Zemora. How do I book? Well, just click here.
What do I need to take?
Now all you need to do is book that flight and enjoy!
'What's Marrakech got to offer?', I hear you ask
Well, everything is the answer. From the chicest small hotels (riads) in the world to fabulous food and glamorous bars, from rose-petal strewn beds to a way of life unchanged in a millenia and, of course, don't forget the shopping.
How long do I stay?
We'd recommend staying for a long weekend in Marrakech, much longer you might get a little bored - if you've got a week to kill head out into the High Atlas and climb Jebel Toubkal (the highest mountain in North Africa) or simply relax and stay at Richard Branson's superb Kasbah Tamadot. If the mountains aren't your cup of tea, hire a car and head down the coast to Essaouira and enjoy some sunshine at the beach or head inland to the edge of the Sahara Desert and visit some very dry little towns.
When should I go?
Avoid the summer at all costs, unless feeling like a roast chicken is really your thing. Spring and autumn are the best times to go - the temperature's idyllic and unlike the UK or the US there's very little chance of rain. Christmas can be a little cold - but there's always something about a log fire that gets our pulses racing...
Where should I stay?
Well, if you want to be in the middle of things you have to book a riad in the Medina - the narrow, sometimes claustrophobic streets, aren't for everyone but the style and design of the riads are everything. From Vanessa Branson's Riad El Fenn with its modern art collection and literary retreat to Riad Farnatchi, lost in the labyrinthine streets but gloriously luxe. If you want to be a little quieter and more extravagant head into the Palmeraie and stay at Ksar Char-Bagh (our publisher's pick of the hotels) or the sublime Dar Zemora. How do I book? Well, just click here.
What do I need to take?
- Money and plenty of it to shop in the souks
- Sun cream and a hat, after all it can get roastingly hot
- Your most fabulous outfits - don't be afraid to glam up for the evenings
- A bikini/swimming trunks to spend a day by the pool at Nikki Beach
- And, of course, you're very own copy of Hg2 Marrakech
Now all you need to do is book that flight and enjoy!
