Postcard from Marrakech
We say that someone from the Local Foreigner team is always on the road, visiting destinations across the globe - but we really mean always. Our monthly Postcard takes you along for the ride, and this month, we're just back from Marrakech.
Marrakech has long been a Local Foreigner favorite - a magical city with a maze of a medina, smoke rising from grills, and the call to prayer echoing across rooftops. Seasonally, Marrakech is at its best when many European destinations are quieter and colder, meaning travelers with time to wander from October to May may find a sweet spot in Morocco. And while this goldilocks destination feels worlds away from the States, it just got a lot closer - on October 24, United launched non-stop service from Newark three times a week, meaning you can be under the palms in less than eight hours.
Arising out of the Moroccan desert, Marrakech is an oasis with the perfect blend of history and romance. The city manages to be timeless but trendy; it's bursting with color, light, and a vibrant crowd, but tucked away are equally peaceful enclaves and glimpses of deep tradition. In the center of the city lies the quintessential Medina, which is still surrounded by 12th-century walls. and it's here that you'll find grand palaces and riads, meandering narrow streets, lively souks, and classic hammams. Heading northwest, you'll arrive to the New City (known as the Palmeraie), which is home to many of the city's best shops and restaurants.
Royal Mansour Marrakech
As you might expect from a hotel founded by King Mohammed VI, Royal Mansour is a mirror of decadent luxury just outside the medina. Listen to the sound of birdsong as you walk the pristinely manicured grounds of Mansour's edenic acreage, where 53 standalone "riads" serve as guests' Morrocan jewel boxes tempered with inconceivable intricacies of Moorish design. Elsewhere, the property glitters with enviable amenities like Hélène Darroze dining rooms, a renowned spa and hammam, and what is perhaps the prettiest pool and garden in all of Marrakech. | View the hotel
Amanjena
Sprawled across twelve and a half acres in Marrakech’s Palmeraie, Amanjena is a rose-hued oasis, pleasantly removed from the chaos of the city center. Manicured gardens and bubbling fountains surround the property’s Moorish buildings, where rooms are tucked between candle-lit courtyards and crackling bonfires light up the sky at night. Aman’s spot-on execution of Moroccan décor means rooms offer a refined sense of place while still upholding the brand's signature minimalist aesthetic. Here, the serenity is almost spiritual – a sublime antidote to the sensory overload of Marrakech. | View the hotel
La Mamounia
Long synonymous with Marrakech luxury, the regal La Mamounia is an icon of the city's romantic bohemian history, where Jaques Garcia's flamboyance is displayed on a palatial scale. In the glittering halls, perfumed with the scent of dates and sandalwood and paved with ornate tiles and exotic floral displays, throngs of well-heeled guests are pampered by a peppy team of Champagne-proffering linguists. A thorough renovation and polishing to coincide with the hotel's 100th birthday in 2023 means she's shinier than ever. | View the hotel
El Fenn Hotel
First, the important thing: El Fenn is home to a family of resident tortoises. Combining grandeur and historic architecture with hideaway nooks, terraces, and gardens, the hotel is just five minutes' walk from the world-famous Djemaa el Fna square and bustling maze of streets that make up the souk. It's been 20 years since Vanessa Branson opened the riad as a 6-room guesthouse, and the ten new rooms added in 2022 bring the total to 42 incredible chic accommodations across 13 interconnected buildings. | View the hotel
+61
+61, named for Australia's country code, is a casual cafe with some serious culinary chops. Meant to capture the spirit of the Australian lifestyle -- relaxed, uncomplicated, and generous -- the restaurant is a local go-to for excellent eats in a casual setting. Dishes of smoked ricotta, fennel and mint salad, and cauliflower falafel are sized to be shared.
Al Fassia
Beneath budding orange trees in Al Fassia's candlelit garden, diners enjoy exceptional Moroccan cuisine prepared exclusively by women. The female powered team is known for cooking up some of Marrakech's best mechoui, a slow roasted lamb dish that locals tend to order in advance.
Petanque Social Club
Originally a club in the 1930s for the French community, restaurateur Kamal Laftimi bought the space and opened the very photogenic PSC in 2024. Mediterranean dishes are served with a North African influence, and you can take advantage of their homemade sourdough with an array of fresh dips.
Cafe Árabe
For years, Cafe Árabe has been a go-to destination in the heart of Marrakech's medina, offering a fusion of Italian and Moroccan cuisine. Whether you choose to dine in the lounge, courtyard, or terrace, the ambient sound of the fountain and the aroma of lemon trees create a timeless atmosphere, inviting you to savor their traditional Moroccan dishes like lemon chicken tajin or vegetable couscous.
Restaurant Villa des Orangers
The restaurant at the beautiful five star Villa des Orangers is always an elegant affair. The poolside retreat offers tables shaded by orange trees, which combine in the evening with flickering reflections and the warm breeze to create a quintessentially Moroccan atmosphere.
Sahbi Sahbi
Located in the city's French district, this female-run restaurant celebrates Moroccan cuisine and its traditions with a twist. In a typical Moroccan home, the kitchen is a secretive place where recipes are passed down and shared by the family, but Sahbi Sahbi's open kitchenhighlights the techniques and skills of cooking Moroccan cuisine. Sweet and savory are subtly mixed throughout the menu.
Marrakech and Palmeraie by Motorcycle Side Car
The most thrilling way to explore Marrakech is riding shotgun on a vintage motorcycle. Your guide, a local expat who knows the maze-like streets of Marrakech, will zip you through the medina, new town, and Palmeraie on a Russian-made knockoff of a classic BMW motorcycle and side car - similar to ones used by the Marrakech police in the 1950s. Two passengers can travel on each motorcycle - one person can ride behind the driver and one person can ride in the side car.
Alnour Textiles Visit
Pay a visit to Alnour Textiles, a social enterprise known for its beautiful, handcrafted textiles made by skilled local women. The décor reflects the vibrant artistry of Moroccan craftsmanship, with colorful fabrics and intricate patterns adorning the space. Located near the Medina, the workshop exudes a warm, collaborative atmosphere, where visitors can see the weaving and embroidery process firsthand. Founded to empower women, it offers a unique blend of tradition and modern design, creating high-quality, sustainable textiles.
Pottery Workshop with a Local Artisan
Unleash your creativity in Marrakech with a hands-on pottery class led by a local artisan. Visiting with artisans is one thing, but your appreciation for Moroccan craftsmanship will only be complete after you've tried your hand at making your very own clay Tagine. Craft your own masterpiece against the backdrop of Marrakech's vibrant culture, blending traditional methods with your unique artistic expression.
The Royal Road
The iconic Royal Mansour, which has long set the standard for Marrakech hotels, now has siblings in bustling Casablanca and under-the-radar Tamuda Bay.
Play it Strait
Combine the chic boutiques of Marrakech with Tangier's decidedly insider-y Villa Mabrouka, before hopping across the Strait of Gibraltar to soak up the sun in Marbella.
Design Duo
Can you think of a décor combo more chic than Nordic minimalism with splashes of the souk? Copenhagen and Marrakech are connected via a twice-a-week nonstop that's an interior designer's dream.