When in... Marrakech

Marrakech is a master class in aesthetics. A sensory experience that dazzles its visitors with inexhaustible beauty. For design enthusiasts, Marrakech is a well of inspiration and education at every turn. If you’re visiting for the first time and looking for some guidance, here are some of my favorites to consider.

Stay

Izza A newly renovated Riad with stunning design and small room count. An intimate and modern interpretation of the traditional riads with delicious food & drink. The General Manager- Karim, is fabulous. He’s a great resource for what’s happening in and around town. https://izza.com/

El Fenn More hotel than riad. Restaurant, rooftop pool, spa, incredible shop, and very inspired design. It’s an Expat haunt but it’s a great starting point for a first night in a strange new land. Its location at the edge of the medina also makes it easy come and go from. The staff is uber friendly and accommodating.

Riad Jardine Secret An intimate riad in the medina. Fabulous photography and art throughout. It’s very serene and one can spend hours on the rooftop looking out into the horizon. I like staying here for solo trips. It’s meditative, peaceful and intimate.

Jnane Tamsa In Palmerie. Stunning property owned by a very eccentric and engaging woman, Meryanne Loum-Martin. She and her husband are fascinating people. She’s written a couple books on design in Marrakech and has many stories to share over red wine. You can also buy day passes for their gorgeous pool & grounds if you’d prefer to stay in the medina.

Shop

Shopping is everywhere and it’s consuming. Below are a few of my ritual stops but my advice is to just get lost in the Medina. Don’t worry about the time or directions, just dive in. Remember ‘Llaa’ means ‘No’ in Arabic. If one of the sellers gets too pushy just say ‘Llaa’ and he’ll back off. They mean no harm. They’re excited about their craft and, most likely, want to guide you (for a fee) or sell you something. It’s very safe throughout Marrakech and the people are amazing, kind, and take care of strangers.

*Google maps works throughout the area so you can rely on that to find your way out if you need a break.

Norya Ayron Go here as a first stop and buy a Kafkan. You’ll wear it the entire time you’re in country. Her shop is in a very cute café for tea as well.

Soufaine Zarib This showroom can be challenging to find but worth the effort. Once inside, there are floors of stunning furniture, décor, rugs and art. It’s a well of inspiration and they ship worldwide.

Mustaphe Blaoui Big warehouse of vintage goods and rugs at the edge of the Medina. They ship worldwide. If you head there, ask for Khadija. Blaoui also has a concept shop in the new part of Marrakech that is very chic! You’ll need to taxi there.

Nomades de Marrakech Huge selection of quality rugs. There’s a lot of rugs throughout the medina that look great in the shops, but they deteriorate quickly. His rugs are high quality. Both vintage and new. He and his family are fabulous, and they ship worldwide.

LRNCE Ceramic mecca. They also have a new hotel that looks stunning, Rosemary.   

V Barkowski Minimalist shop next to Mustaphe Blaoui. Housewares, linens, and bags.

Dine

It’s Morocco so most cafes don’t serve alcohol. Mint tea and other libations are a fine replacement.

Sahbi Sahbi A women run restaurant outside of the medina. Very new chic modern design. Delicious food.

Al Fassia All women run restaurant. An institution in Marrakech.

Nomad Modern Moroccan rooftop restaurant with views of Medina. Lunch here is a tradition.

Terrace des Epices Great for tea and people watching in the Medina.

If you really need a martini at the end of a long day, head to La Mamounia. One of the ‘best hotels in the world’. Huge compound designed by Jacques Garcia and recently upgraded by Jouin Manku. People go to Marrakech, stay here, and never really leave the hotel. I don’t recommend staying here for that reason. BUT I do recommend going to The Churchill bar for a martini and caviar.

Culture

Yves Saint Laurent Museum A must visit. Filled with inspiration and beauty. The area surrounding the museum is also loaded with shops and cafes.

Majorelle Gardens feature over 130 species of plants cultivated from across the globe including cacti, water lilies, coconut trees, yuccas, and jasmine.

Hammam- A traditional bathhouse for soaking, massage and other treatments. Most riads have a modern version, less severe than the traditional (which I prefer because having your nipples scrubbed off hurts).

Medina- Officially listed in the UNESCO world heritage in 1985, the medina has an impressive number of masterpieces of architecture and art (monumental ramparts and doors, Koutoubia Mosque, Saadian tombs, ruins of the Badi palace, the Bahia palace and the Menara pavilion). All are recognized to have an outstanding universal value.

For decades, creatives like Yves Sant Laurent, Matisse, and Jacques Majorelle have been seduced by the Marrakech’s allure. It will do the same for you. Salama