Page 1 of 1

Marrakech ?

PostPosted: 30 Mar 2006, 14:46
by lovetoholiday
Desperate to book another holiday, having just returned from one !
We quite fancy a few days away in Marrakech for our wedding anniversary in early September.
Has anyone been and if so recommend a good hotel ? Most that I have looked at have mixed reviews on Tripadvisor.com (even La Mamounia) , but we are considering the Sofitel or Hotel Medina & Spa. We really fancy somewhere with a pool and facilities as it looks like it will be fairly hot.

Sadly no VS flights [:p] so its looking likely that we'll go easyjet [:0]

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks
L2H

PostPosted: 07 Nov 2006, 17:21
by Howard Long
Originally posted by lovetoholiday
Desperate to book another holiday, having just returned from one !
We quite fancy a few days away in Marrakech for our wedding anniversary in early September.
Has anyone been and if so recommend a good hotel ? Most that I have looked at have mixed reviews on Tripadvisor.com (even La Mamounia) , but we are considering the Sofitel or Hotel Medina & Spa. We really fancy somewhere with a pool and facilities as it looks like it will be fairly hot.

Any advice gratefully received.


My comments here are of course too late for you but may be usefult o others. I just returned from Marrakech yesterday after a long weekend. I have just one question - why is this place so popular? Unless you stay within the confines of your hotel, it's run down and dirty. Or maybe I missed something. Food is tasteless and quality lacking. Booze is very limited. And the airport is yuck.

We stayed at Riad Samarkand in the Medina. Very clean and exclusive but as soon as you walk outside it's another story. Plus as it's very close to a mosque you got to wake up to the call for prayers a couple of times each night.

Marrakech must be quite the most over-rated place I can ever remember going to.

Cheers, Howard

PostPosted: 08 Nov 2006, 08:54
by slinky09
L2H - I suspect Howard was thirsty and that influenced his view [8D].

I like the Riad el Fenn, it's small, beautifully kept and walking through the doors takes you from the bustle to peace very quickly.

PostPosted: 08 Nov 2006, 11:47
by Howard Long
Originally posted by slinky09
L2H - I suspect Howard was thirsty and that influenced his view [8D].


Yes I was very thirsty! The local grog was not disasterous, but considering the significant French influence I was surprised at the lack of quality food and wine selection.

I like the Riad el Fenn, it's small, beautifully kept and walking through the doors takes you from the bustle to peace very quickly.


Ah, but as soon as you leave the confines of your Riad, it's a different story.

I guess I'd just rather go to the Cote d'Or.

Cheers, Howard

PostPosted: 08 Nov 2006, 12:04
by HighFlyer
I've always wanted to go to Marrakesh, not that i know quite why, so cant answer Howard's question of what the attraction is.

I looked at going there a while back and was dismayed to find that the only direct airline was EasyJet! Apparently the Beckhams used EZY for their trip there, but as they say, if its good enough for the Beckhams then its a bit to chav for me :)

I'd still like to go, not sure why, but its certainly gone down on the list of must-do destinations.

Thanks,
Sarah

PostPosted: 08 Nov 2006, 12:41
by slinky09
Apparently the Beckhams used EZY for their trip there, but as they say, if its good enough for the Beckhams then its a bit to chav for me :)



ACE [^]

PostPosted: 08 Nov 2006, 17:41
by Howard Long
Originally posted by HighFlyer
I've always wanted to go to Marrakesh


I wouldn't bother [B)]

I looked at going there a while back and was dismayed to find that the only direct airline was EasyJet!


I can assure you that you do not have to go CheesyJet. BA (or more specifically GB Airways acting as BA) serve the route at present with three flights each day.

All in all rather enjoyable quaffing Champagne for brekkie on the way there and dinner on the way back. At 3.5 hours there's no hurrying either.

Cheers, Howard

PostPosted: 09 Nov 2006, 18:31
by lovetoholiday
Hi all

Well we didn't end up going to Marrakesh after all as we thought it might be too similar to India, having just returned from there.

I have to say that I have heard quite negative things about it too and it's gone down our list of must see places too.
Isn't Riad El Fenn owned by SRB's sister or am I thinking of somewhere else ?

We ended up having a fabulous week in Skiathos instead, which I can highly recommend. We flew with Astraeus who were excellent.

Thanks for all the responses tho'

L2H

PostPosted: 13 Nov 2006, 18:27
by VS075
Flying with easyJet (or to be fair any LCC) for flights over 3 hours is not a sensible idea. What with the service (or the lack of it) and the high prices they charge on board for food (although Jet2's £5 meal deal ain't bad) it makes you appreciate why you are paying the higher prices...you are getting a service which you deserve for the time you are in the air.

We're flying to Malaga in Feb with easyJet and I'm not looking forward to it at all...flew with BA earlier this year to Malaga but that route is being pulled. Help!