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The best vacation escape to a palatial hotspot

By on September 3, 2019

It seems completely valid busy celebrities constantly seeking tranquility and beauty (such as the Beckhams, the Jolie-Pitts) have made this location their escape destination. It’s simply magical!

I’m talking about Marrakech, an exotic city in Morocco which, despite the gruesome 14-hour flight, is well worth the trip.

We explored the markets of the Medina – the city’s historic heart full of bargain handmade rugs, silver cafetières and cutleries, baskets and heady spices – and its bustling main square that comes alive at night, the Jemaa el Fna.

Djema El-Fnaa, Marrakech

For a real bucket-list experience, we ventured outside the city and floated above the Sahara in a hot-air balloon.

 

At night, we sipped cocktails at the exclusive El Fenn rooftop bar – Carey Mulligan and Maggie Fyllenhaal have both been here. There’s even a Pacha nightclub if you fancy a bit of rock n’ roll.

If you’re into Mediterranean cuisine, this place has a lot to offer. Escape the crowds in the rooftop cafes around the Medina. Sip mint tea and graze on spiced couscous as you settle in for some celeb spotting.

We stayed at the Palais Aziza and Spa, a stunning boutique bolthole where many European movers and shakers stay. Scented with rose and bougainvillea and sound-tracked with birdsong, it’s set in five acres of peaceful gardens in the exclusive Palmeraie area known as the Mayfair of Marrakech, yet only a short car ride from the Medina.

The 28-room mosaic Palais Aziza & Spa is a luxury boutique hotel blending kasbah-style architecture with traditional Moroccan decor and a palatial finish. Located just a 15-minute drive from the bustling souks of the Medina, the hotel sits amid five acres of tranquil gardens and pools. All rooms have private terraces or balconies, and range from Deluxe Rooms with hot tubs to freestanding Pavilions and Villas with private gardens. The on-site spa offers a palette of custom treatments, along with the traditional hammam.

We tried the famous hammam and scrub in the sumptuous spa then headed to the luxurious swimming pool, the perfect place to spend lazy afternoons with the kids.

The on-site dining is outstanding. Maroliano, adjacent to the Mosaic Bar and Lounge, serves Moroccan fare with an Italian twist, while the more casual La Pergola, with its “theater kitchen” and alfresco dining, is for lighter far. The Citrus Bar serves signature cocktails by the poolside.

 

 

HOTEL: https://www.palaisaziza.com/
LANGUAGE: Arabic, French, English in tourist spots.
CURRENCY: Dirham like the Euro minus a zero. There aren’t many places where you can change money so it’s better to take US dollars or EURO with you before you leave for Narita airport. You can do so at many World Currency Shop branches in Tokyo. http://www.tokyo-card.co.jp/exchange/

 

About Sarah Blinco