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Marrakech

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WHY GO?
For guaranteed sunshine with no jet-lag; for superlative shopping and a relaxed mélange of Muslim, French, Berber and hippy cultures; and for charming locals, no dress restrictions, extremely moreish cuisine and lots of sleek new bars and hotels. Prices are rising, though, and tourist villas and golf courses are being built all round the city. Go now before it becomes Marbella.

STAY AT?
A traditional courtyard guesthouse in the medina, such as Riyad Al Moussika (riyad-al-moussika.ma). Tucked down an alley, it offers a perfect cocktail of superb service, style and luxury including Michelin-standard cooking and honey direct from the owner's Tuscan villa. For a high-end, effortlessly luxe boutique hotel with gardens, pool and bijou spa, check into La Sultana (lasultanamarrakech.com). Or, to get away from it all, retire to Tigmi (tigmi.com), a 30-minute drive into the desert, which has a pool and sybaritic suites.

PARTY AT?
You can't tire of the Djemâa el-Fna square with its snake charmers and story-tellers, while Nikki Beach (nikki-beach.com) is great for a lazy lunch, swim and snooze after shopping. For clubbing, it has to be Pacha (pachamarrakech.com) this one is outdoors, huge and loud.

DINE AT?
Start at hip Kosybar (45 place des Ferblantiers, Kzadria), which is ideal for sundown cocktails with tip-top views of the Koutubia mosque ? they also do a mean roast Moroccan lamb. Book well ahead for an outside table at Dar Moha (darmoha.ma), which serves modern Moroccan, and at Le Pavillon (47, Derb Zaouia, 00 2 122 438 7040), where the fare is delicious and the mood French colonial. Of the many formal banquet-type places, go for Dar Zellij (1, Kaasour Sidi Ben Slimane; 00 2 122 438 2627).

SHOPPING TIPS?
Fly with hand luggage then buy a new suitcase when you arrive. Hire a shopping guide for your first trip to the souk. Visit in the morning or late afternoon. Pitstop at Café des Epices, outside the spice market, for a delicious lunch, or have a head massage at Herboristerie Avenzoar (19 Derb N'khel-Rahba, Lakdima). If you're going to Essaouira, do your shopping there instead.

Review by Nigel Tisdall

Release date: Wednesday 21 November 2007

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Hi I also went to Marrakech a couple of months ago and I only brought back a few creams from the Herboristeria Avenzoar! Which are fabulous! Do you know any way to contact them or something?
Comment by vera Nasser on June 16 06:31

Riad Al Moussika - We have just returned from paradise after celebrating my Wife's 60th Birthday.
We cannot praise the Al Moussika too much, the effortless attention to our every wish was discrete and subtle, nothing was too much trouble for the staff.
The smile never left them.
The lunch every day was excellent, our last meal was the best Tajine we have ever tasted, it unfortunately has changed our appreciation forever and whenever we choose a Tajine it will be compared less favourable with today's creation.

You must visit the Berber souk at the base of the Atlas mountain, the staff at the Al Moussika will arrange it with a very knowledgeable taxi driver who will outline every interesting site,
Including for old rockers like me " Mick Jaggers" Marrakesh hideaway.
The Library is an oasis of tranquillity with an excellent cross section of reading material in many Languages.
Multi channel television and WIFI in every room.
We chose this Riyad because of the TripAdvisor reviews
Comment by PaddyFrog on February 14 01:14