Welcome to another post of helping a reader travel!
This weekly post is to help readers get a slew of travel advice from thousand of Deals We Like blog readers. Thus far, we’ve been able to help other readers travel to Maui, The Greek Islands, Pacific Coast Highway, Argentina / Buenos Aires, Costa Rica, Cape Cod & The Islands, Iceland, Geneva, Canadian Rockies, Israel, Peru / Inca Trail, Stockholm, Chicago, Paris, Hanoi, Austin, Puerto Rico, Bruges, Salzburg, Las Vegas, Jamaica, India/Golden Triangle, Auckland, Singapore, Moscow, The Oregon Coast, Seattle, Portland, Hawaii Islands, Alaska Skiing, Brazil, Prague, Budapest, Paraguay, Cabo San Lucas, Edinburgh, San Diego, Hilton Head, Dubrovnik, Tanzania, The Seychelles, Belize, Miami, Vienna, London, Tahiti, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Burgundy, Charleston, Savannah, Italy (including Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, Bologna, Sicily), Turkey (including Istanbul, Cappadocia, Izmir, Bodrum, and Antalya), and Cape Town.
So this weeks travel destination includes Marrakech, Morocco. Here is an email from reader Jill:
“I would love some recommendations on how to spend a long weekend in Marrakech. Also, would love to see if anyone has thoughts on the Le Meridien – the reviews aren’t great on TripAdvisor, but for 3k points a night it’s a steal! Or, is there another hotel that is suggested? Would love any tips, things to do, and restaurant recommendations. Thank you in advance.”
If you’ve ever been to Marrakech and have any recommendations, let’s help out reader Jill by commenting below.
Also, if you have any upcoming travel where you need some help, feel free to email me at dealswelike@gmail.com to be a featured “Help a Reader Travel” Monday special. Thanks!
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Le Meridien is great with SPG points or points and cash.
It’s an easy walk or even easier cab into the Souk’s – location is good in that it is a little quiet but just outside of town.
In terms of getting there – avoid Air Maroc – best bet is to fly in from Spain – either Barcelona or Madrid have flights.
I prefer Madrid as the Iberia lounge in Madrid is amazing – there is a wine room there! You should be able to use avios – transferred to Iberia – for the flight but it’s not that expensive if you need to pay cash.
Two more things:
1. Remember to have small change for tips – approx. 20 local currency
2. You may not avoid tipping people if they allow you to tour your home or let you play with their snakes. However, feel free to ignore the teenagers who follow you through the Souk.
While the resorts in la Ville Nouvelle are certainly amazing, half the fun of visiting Marrakech is staying in the Medina at one of the Riads, which are essentially B&Bs. We stayed at Riad Cherrata, and the hospitality and tranquility of Riads set them apart from most 5-star resorts. While they won’t have as many amenities, Marrakech is for exploring and not for lounging around on the resort property. Coming from someone who nearly always stays at Starwood or Hyatt properties, it is a breath of fresh air to stay at the Riads in Marrakech.
I stayed the Le Meridien N’Fis in Marrakech in February 2013. The grounds of the property were absolutely gorgeous, and the rooms were perfectly nice, but could use some minor maintenance (cracked tile, etc.). The hotel is in walking distance of the train station (maybe a 20 minute walk, but a straight shot), and walking distance in the other direction to the main Medina and parks. The hop on/hop off tour bus also has a stop right outside the hotel. If you can book this for 3k/night- do it!!