I DREAM OF MARRAKESH

My ultimate dream destination has always been Morocco. It finally became a reality when we were invited to spend a few celebratory days with a group of friends in Marrakesh! We stayed for four incredible days & nights at the iconic La Mamounia hotel, thats stands in the middle of an eight-acre Arsat garden, which is an Instagrammer's dream!

Photo courtesy of La Mamounia.  

La Mamounia history dates back to the Eighteenth century, when the Alawite Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah decided to offer an orchard as a wedding gift to his son Mamoun, who later turned it into a leisure venue for garden parties.

The spectacular entrance of La Mamounia

Two centuries later, in 1923, the Moroccan Railway Company decided to build a hotel on the site and entrusted the work to French architects Henri Prost and Antoine Marchisio, who in their project mixed the ancestral codes of Moroccan architecture with the Art-deco style in vogue in Europe at the time.

La Mamounia became a popular and glamorous destination for many famous guests counting among them Winston Churchill, whose name was afterwards given to the suite he used to spend winter holidays in and to one of the hotel bars-Le Bar Churchill.

Photo courtesy of La Mamounia.

Before seeing what Marrakech has to offer, we explored the beautiful hotel grounds, with its magnificent gardens and lounged at the stunning pool.

Photo courtesy of La Mamounia.

We hit all the high spots of Marrakesh, including the Souk and The Badi Palace (in the middle of the afternoon in a shadeless 38 degree Celsius heat! don't try that) and visited the Musée du Monde des Arts de la Parure, A unique museum in the heart of the Kasbah of Marrakech that reveal a collection of finery, ornaments, jewelry, and other ceremonial garments, highlighting the richness, diversity, and uniqueness of hundreds of territories from over 50 different countries. An amazing inspiration for a designer of textiles and jewelry from all around the Arab world and Africa.

Photo courtesy of Musee du Monde des Arts de la Parure.

To take a well deserved break from the heat and the excitement, we had a leisurely lunch at The Shams Restaurant on the rooftop terrace of the museum under the lemon trees.

The garden Terrace lets you discover and appreciate the immediate surroundings, from the storks' nests on the ramparts of the Badii Palace to the minaret of the Moulay El Yazid Mosque, all set against a backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. The spectacular hanging garden designed by landscape architect Marius Boulesteix, who created a singular planted space that evokes travel.

Lunch on roof top of the Musée du Monde des Arts de la Parure, at the SHAMS restaurant.

The city’s rooftops of Marakesh hold a unique charm, some of the most trendy places in Marakesh are on the rooftops, giving a unique perspective.

Serving as serene escapes from the bustling atmosphere below. Whether it’s the riads’ intimate terraces or the sprawling rooftop restaurants, each vantage point offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Marrakech’s culture and landscape.

The Majorelle Gardens

The next day we visited the Majorelle Gardens where we admired the Botanical garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum.

The complex was created by the French Orientalist artist Jacques Majorelle, then the property was purchased by the fashion designers, Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé who worked to restore it. Today, the garden and villa are open to the public and is a popular tourist attraction.

The Majorelle Gardens

We spent a Magical evening at Jemaa el-Fnaa, the square and marketplace in Marrakesh's Medina quarter, where there are monkeys, cobra charmers, storytellers, street food, and traditional Berber music shows. It’s the beating heart of Marrakesh nights.

Miriam is dancing with the market traditional musicians at Jemaa el-Fnaa | Photos by localadventurer

These men are selling water from a goat’s belly! | Photos by localadventurer

DINING

On one of the nights, we enjoyed a lavish Dinner party at Palais Souleiman, which involved couscous and belly dancers!

Palais Souleiman

More places to eat and get drinks:

La Sultana rooftop - Very Chic

Kabana Rooftop - Very trendy

More things to do around Marrakesh:

Spend an evening at the Eco-luxury Bedouin camp at the Agafay desert: LE BEDOUIN AGAFAY CAMP offers a truly enchanting evening with a magical dinner at the Agafay Desert In Bedouin Camp in the Agafay Desert, in the heart of the Sahara. It is an authentic haven of peace and quiet (and then dancing until 4 in the morning).

Le Bedouin Agafay Camp

You can also take a Trip to the Atlas mountains to Kasbah Tamadot for trekking, or just enjoy some nice rest and relaxation!

Magical night at the desert | Traveling in style (in the hotel’s Porsche Panamera!)

My dream came true in Marrakesh, My new dream is going back…

Now heading back to the airport in Style!

Love, Sharon.

 
Wearing the traditional caftan from the Marrakesh market