I have just returned from inspecting some new hotels in Marrakech and slightly by accident visited one of the typical 4 star package hotel on the edge of town. As a rule we avoid large tourist hotels and there can no destination where the contrast between the places favoured by the package operators and those preferred by us is more stark. In Marrakech we offer beautiful converted merchant houses called riads which are run as little stylish boutique hotels. Ok, they often don’t have minibar or 24 room service but the style and individuality compared the ghastly stack of boxes with beige swirly carpet more than makes up for the difference. But more importantly you are a part of real Morocco not a tourist ghetto hidden away. Maybe I am holiday snob but a Marrakech Riad is the only way to have a proper Morocco holiday (oh, and the price is about 30% less as well!)
Posts Tagged ‘Marrakech Riads’
Marrakech Riads for Real Morocco Holidays
Friday, May 8th, 2009Morocco Holiday Money Rip Off
Thursday, May 7th, 2009Don’t exchange your cash in the UK if you are going on a Morocco holiday….Morocco has a closed currency and up until recently it was impossible to exchange pounds for Moroccan Dirham in the UK. The Moroccan government has just relaxed the laws and it now possible, but beware. I went through Luton airport yesterday and they were offering less than 10 dirham to the pound vs almost 12 if you changed your money in Morocco. A whopping 20% profit! If you are taking money wait until you get to Morocco and change cash when you arrive. Even better make sure your airport transfer to your Marrakech riad or Essaouira accommodation is pre-paid and then go to a cashpoint when you have settled in – there are loads in Morocco. This option is even better if you have an account with a bank like Nationwide that gives you excellent overseas rates on withdrawals.