With milestone birthdays on the horizon, we would have liked an excuse to flee. My husband, Jonathan, was about to show 50, and my daughter would have a good time her sixth birthday. What began as a family-of-four journey rapidly grew right into a whole-family affair, turning it right into a multigenerational journey. The college holidays gave us the proper window, however the query remained: the place may we go that felt really worthy of the second? The reply surfaced late one night time, formed by a well-known want checklist—assured heat, a brief flight, no time distinction from our UK residence base and simply sufficient journey. It was clear the place we have been headed—a household journey to Morocco.
A Royal Arrival
We landed in Marrakech and have been pushed straight to The Oberoi, nestled amongst acres of olive groves on the town’s outskirts. Although we have been already acquainted with the property, nothing had ready us for the Royal Villa. The 2-bedroom residence unfolded like a non-public world of its personal: expansive dwelling areas, a courtyard, a full kitchen and a shimmering pool surrounded by loungers, hammocks and shaded seating. For the youngsters, it was pure magic; for the adults, virtually an excessive amount of to consider.
The times right here unfolded gently, shifting from feeding rescued donkeys to biking the grounds and swimming at each the villa and primary pool. Meals drifted between poolside lunches at Azur, dinners on the terrace at Tamimt and personal eating within the villa itself. Coinciding with Diwali, the resort hosted a spectacular night in its central courtyard, the place Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai curated a dinner beneath the celebs at Rivayat. Considerate touches outlined the keep: roses, champagne, birthday balloons and miniature robes, slippers and donkey delicate toys for the children. It was hospitality delivered with each precision and coronary heart.
On the Foot of the Atlas
Leaving was bittersweet, however the subsequent chapter beckoned. At Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, we met up with my dad and mom and sister. Overlooking the Atlas Mountains, the resort supplied house, greenery and a extra relaxed rhythm—splendid for youngsters. The youngsters’ membership was reworked for Halloween, the huge pool complicated turned a each day draw and eating ranged from Italian evenings at Capricci to Moroccan classics at Al Aïn and full of life brunches at L’Olivier. One element stood out: employees persistently addressed company by title (a formidable feat in a 135-room property).
Misplaced and Discovered within the Medina
After celebrating birthdays at one other non-public villa in Marrakech with the entire household, 11 in all, we ventured into the Medina, the place its slender lanes promised each surprise and chaos. With three generations in tow, navigating the bustling stalls turned an journey, particularly for my mom, decided to search out the proper (and inevitably overpriced) bowl. By noon, we took a breather on the historic Le Grand Café de la Poste earlier than ending the day with sundown cocktails at Izza Marrakech, a serene riad tucked within the coronary heart of the outdated metropolis.
A Legend within the Coronary heart of Marrakech
Amongst Marrakech’s treasures, La Mamounia shines brightest—a keep each traveler desires of. Now greater than a century outdated, the legendary resort—as soon as frequented by Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Yves Saint Laurent—stays inseparable from the town’s id. Whereas my dad and mom lounged on the far aspect of the property, taking in views of the Medina and the Koutoubia Mosque, our household settled into the spacious consolation of the Park Suite, the place considerate birthday items awaited us.
From terrace lunches and poolside afternoons to breakfasts that felt theatrical in scale, La Mamounia exuded timeless glamour. One night, we left the property and headed again into the town, travelling deep into the medina and thru Jemaa el-Fnaa—a UNESCO-listed spectacle of performers, meals stalls and sound—earlier than dinner at Le Tanjia, the place sundown views, the decision to prayer and conventional delicacies mixed into one thing unforgettable.
From Metropolis Streets to Coastal Calm
From the town, we stated goodbye to my household and headed almost 4 hours west to Oualidia, a coastal village and residential to La Sultana Oualidia, the sister property of La Sultana Marrakech. Hidden on the finish of a winding dust monitor, the kasbah-like resort revealed itself overlooking a lagoon and nature reserve. Immediately, calm changed chaos. Our Lagoon Suite opened onto panoramic views, an outside bathtub and a stillness that felt restorative after days within the metropolis.
Identified for its oysters, the area delivered. Dinner was early and easy: native wine, contemporary seafood and a sundown that appeared to droop time. The next days introduced sudden delights—sheep grazing on the shoreline throughout breakfast, youngsters searching crabs, fishing journeys throughout the lagoon, the place even an octopus made an look. Evenings ended with sundowners by the pool and dinners beneath huge, star-filled skies.
A Journey to Treasure
Marrakech has lengthy been certainly one of my favourite cities, however this journey deepened that love. In simply 4 hours from the UK, you step into one other world—certainly one of coloration, distinction, generosity and historical past. To share it with my whole household, and to mark such significant milestones there, felt like a privilege. Some journeys are holidays; others stick with your loved ones perpetually. This was firmly the latter.
