Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Top-end Palmeraie hotel
Centre
Stylish Palais Rhoul
Right
Comfortable rooms at Hotel Pacha
Accommodation Tips
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Choosing a hotel
Anyone seeking to get
away from it all might
consider retreating to a
luxury hideaway in the
Palmeraie palm grove, to
the north of the medina.
such times, prices of
rooms can go up by as
much as 25 per cent and
that's if you can find one
- you really need to have
something booked
months in advance.
September and October
are generally also busy
as the worst of the
summer heat is over.
January and February are
low seasons.
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Disabled access
Marrakech has an
abundance of stylish
accommodation, many of
which are either riads
(see below)
or
maisons
d'hôtes
, a term that
roughly translates to
mean “boutique hotels .
Some of these places are
so stunning, you may
find it hard to drag your-
self into the throng of
the medina. However, for
those who find comfort
in standard international
hotels, there are plenty
of those too.
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Classifications
The Moroccan
government has devised
an official classification
for hotels, with a one- to
five-star grading system.
This system, however, is
not applied to riads.
Listed hotels are often
ambitiously graded and
it is not recommended
that you venture below
three stars.
Most accommodation
in the medina is not
wheelchair accessible,
as Moroccan houses are
built with lots of steps.
The international hotels
in Hivernage are the best
bets, as many of them
are disabled-friendly.
@
Riads
A riad is a house in
the medina with a court-
yard. Uniquely Moroccan,
they can range from a
cosy four rooms to close
to 20, from humble to
ultra-stylish. Nearly all
are privately-owned
guesthouses and the
levels of service and
luxury tend to reflect the
personalities - and
financial resources - of
their owners. It is possible
to rent a whole riad at a
reduced rate. Many riads
offer transport to and
from the airport.
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Prices
By law, prices for
accommodation must be
shown in the reception
area as well as in rooms.
Be aware, however, that
these prices rarely
include tax and they do
not include breakfast.
Again, riads and
maisons
d'hôtes
are exempted
from this rule.
^
Negotiating a
(
Travelling with
kids
Riads are not great
places to holiday with
kids. Being essentially
small, former family
homes with a central
courtyard, noise carries
to all rooms. Unless your
children are remarkably
quiet, you are liable to
disturb other guests.
)
Meals
lower price
Negotiating a lower price
for a hotel room is
common - and fruitful. At
slack times, it is possible
to obtain reductions of
up to 30 per cent. It is a
waste of time, however,
during high season or
with most riads.
&
High and low
£
Location, location,
All riads and
maisons
d'hôtes
offer breakfast.
Few have restaurants but
all have kitchens, where
lunch and dinner can be
prepared to order and
usually eaten in the
courtyard or on the roof
terraces. The food from
riad kitchens is as good,
if not superior, to most of
the local restaurants.
location
All the riads are in the
medina. The closer you
are to Jemaa El Fna, the
central whirlpool of
Marrakech, the better.
The big international
hotels are in Hivernage,
between the medina and
the airport - a taxi ride
away from all the action.
season
High season is Christmas
and New Year and the
weeks around Easter. At
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