10 reasons why you should visit Marrakech in 2017

A Conran hotel, buzzing restaurants and concept stores are giving Marrakech a new edge, says Kate Lough
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Kate Lough10 February 2017

Bright and beautiful Marrakech has been a stylish city destination for years, attracting travellers with its heady mix of culture, food, architecture and shopping. Yves Saint Laurent fell in love with it, The Rolling Stones did too and Poppy Delevingne had her wedding party out there.

But 2017 marks a new, even more luxurious and fashionable chapter for the Moroccan city: Jasper Conran has just opened his first hotel in Marrakech and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum is set to open in autumn.

From new luxury hotels to a dynamic restaurant scene, and high fashion boutiques to concept stores, here's why the Red City should be on your travel radar this year.

1. Off-season choice

If you’re looking for heat outside of the British summer season, Morocco is your destination. In Marrakech, the mercury hits the high 20s in April and October – so it’s a great way for Londoners to get their Vitamin D fix until - and after - the sun (fingers crossed) appears in England. Even better, it’s only a three and a half hour flight from London.

2. Jasper Conran's hotel

L'Hotel

For his first foray into hotels, the celebrated designer has transformed a 18th century riad in the heart of the city’s medina into a beautiful boutique hotel with five exquisite suites, a courtyard garden, a swimming pool and a roof terrace with views over the Atlas Mountains. L'Hotel is all about 1930s elegance with whitewashed walls and antique furniture, lighting and textiles –all made to feel like a luxurious home rather than a hotel.

L’Hotel joins a raft of other recent luxury hotel opening including the Mandarin Oriental and The Source.

2. YSL Museum

The Jardin Majorelle – known affectionately as the Yves Saint Laurent garden – has long been one of Marrakech’s star attractions, loved for its green cacti and cobalt blue buildings. But a new star will be born later this year, when the Musee Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech opens, showcasing the still blooming relationship between the fashion designer and Morocco. The museum will house 200 haute couture outfits from his Paris archive, a library of 5000 fashion books and an area for concerts and film. A really mecca for fashionistas.

3.Oasis Festival

Now in its third year, Oasis Festival (September 15-17) is helping to put Morocco on the music festival map. It’s set against the backdrop of the stunning Source hotel just seven miles from the centre of Marrakech. This year’s line-up promises Maceo Plex, Moodyman and Auntie Flo, with live painting, yoga, swimming and great food also on the agenda.

5. Instagram opportunities

The Medina
Shutterstock / Virginija Valatkiene

Marrakech is nothing if not colourful. Cobalt blue riads, the green cacti of the Jardin Marjorelle, stacks of brightly coloured babush slippers, the dusky pink-walled Medina... the city has endless Instagram opportunities at every turn. You’ll give your followers serious #wanderlust.

6. Shopping beyond the souks

You already know about the souks and the haggling to be done over treasures like as Berber rugs, hanging lanterns and brightly coloured spices.

But there’s a more luxurious way to shop in Marrakech from high end boutiques to concept stores: ceramics-lovers should head to Akkal in the Quartier Industriel, where Belgian designer Charlotte also sells dazzling garments, fabric and art; head to Kulchi for carpets, textiles and prints sourced by Australian Cassandra; Beldi, where you can pick up velvet coats and linen shirts – don’t be put off by the scruff exterior; MaisonLAB is a concept store in the Gueliz area (The New Town) which brings together the best of Morocco and the Big Apple from handwoven rugs to kitchenware; and finally, Atelier Moro, the brainchild of El Fenn's Viviana Gonzalez – it’s an Aladdin’s cave of treasures from all over the world.

7. A stylish restaurant scene

Bo Zin's dining terrace

You will find tasty traditional food on every street corner and at every market, but a restaurant scene to sate any discerning traveller is being established. For dinner, try the Asian-Moroccan fusion food and cucumber vodka cocktails at hip Bo Zin. For lunch around a palm-fringed pool among an elegant crowd, try Crystal - the mostly Italian offering from French twin brothers. For contemporary Moroccan cuisine and rooftop dining, head to Nomad - it has views over the Koutoubia Mosque and Atlas Mountains.

8. Buzzing nightlife

Marrakech is a good place to party, too. Visiting the legendary Le Comptoir is a must – it’s housed in an Art Deco villa with plush theatrical interiors, serving up Franco-Moroccan grub and belly dancing. Teatro, is built in an old theatre and well worth putting your dancing shoes on for.

9. Its rich culture – old and new

Koutoubia Mosque
Shutterstock / Migel

Make time for getting lost in the Medina, Marrakech’s historic centre and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You could spend hours just wandering around its alleyways, taking in the colours and architecture – but some sights to tick off include the Koutoubia Mosque, Badia Palace and Saadian tombs.

But one of the best things about Marrakech is the juxtaposition of old and new, so don't neglect its cultural present. For lens-centric art from the 19th century onwards, try the newish Marrakech Museum of Photography and Visual Art, which was designed by David Chipperfield and is set in 6,000 sq metres in the west of the city next to the 12th century Menara Gardens. Then check out Gallery 127, which showcases work from established and upcoming photographers.

10. Hammans and spas

Marrakech is undeniably captivating – the sights, the sounds, the smells – but it can also be a bit tiring. So after a day traipsing around the souks, refresh yourself with a trip to a hammam – something which locals consider a ritual. La Mamounia offers one of the most luxurious options – not to mention Instagram potential – plus your fee will give you access to the impressive pool. Also fit for a queen is the Royal Mansour which has three hammam treatment that are tailored to the guest.

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