I had heard people raving about Hôtel La Mamounia Marrakech for years, so when I arrived, my expectations were frighteningly high. Let’s just say it did not disappoint.
There are millions—literally millions—of exquisite hand-cut tiles throughout the property.
“Le Salon” inside La Mamounia, where the plaster ceilings were hand-carved by 1,500 artisans at once.
Since it was my first trip to Marrakech and there was a bit of a time crunch—I had just 48 hours to see the city—I decided to enlist the help of Black Tomato, a luxury travel company that curates unique itineraries in destinations around the world. They suggested a sidecar motorbike tour, which, as it turns out, ended up being the unexpected highlight of my trip. It gives you an immersive sense of the sights, sounds and smells of a place—things you miss out on when you’re sitting in the backseat of a car.
We cruised through the walled medina and into various souks, where I spotted these vibrant handwoven baskets. Major Moroccan eye candy.
Fridays are considered a day of prayer, and many of the shopkeepers shut down their stalls in observance. It’s a stark contrast to the traditionally buzzy atmosphere throughout the rest of the week.
I was tempted to buy an extra suitcase just so I could bring home every single one of these charming porcelain bowls.
One of the souks (fittingly referred to as “spice square”) is chock-full of fragrant herbs and spices in a variety of pigmented hues.
Just outside of the walled city, you’ll find the palmeraie (palm grove), where it’s not uncommon to have casual encounters with true “locals.”
We stopped for lunch at Jnane Tamsna, a hotel in the palmeraie with no shortage of stunning archways. It felt like a quaint bed-and-breakfast: the husband and wife co-owners greeted us upon our arrival.
Majorelle Garden, a botanical oasis owned by the late designer Yves Saint Laurent. It’s one of the city’s biggest “tourist attractions,” but there’s nothing touristy about it.
Back at La Mamounia, we took a quick dip to recharge for the evening ahead.
Another hotel, another incredible hotel pool. This one inside the courtyard of Riad El Fenn.
El Fenn, a traditional Moroccan riad, has a rooftop bar with what is arguably the best view in town.
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