Marrakesh advice...

suz2007

Hiya
Have seen this deal through Travelzoo and it looks really good. Not sure though as i've never been to Marrakesh and this place is new. Any traveller tips or advice or should Iavoid?

The hotel is Pickalbatros Aqua Fun Club and it's a 5star place but the whole holiday is only £299 it's all inclusive with flights so seems a bit too good to be true!

whatyadoinsucka

to be honest marrakesh is very cheap to get to, i only paid £90-£110 return 2-3 years ago.
Went in march 08 had a great time, i looked a couple of months ago and the airfare prices were similiar

its worth reading other forum posts for morocco scams / dodgy places, hassles, dislikes etc etc.

i think easyjet/ryanair/thomsonfly all go there. manchester/liverpool/eastmids etc
so £299 for 2 is allocating £400 to a hotel. so its not a fantastic bargain but likely a good price,

the hotel is lieklly to be in the new city, whereas i prefered to stay in the old city, in a Riad. (small guest 'house' with tiled inner courtyard, maze of streets outside)

its worth the experience but if your expecting a100% relaxing break don't go.

tripadvisor has many posts on this place
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g293734-i9196-k4329806-Pickalbatros_Aqua_Fun_Club_Marrakech-Marrakech.html
opening 1st June

book_lover

hi there, I saw this deal too, and couldn't find much info at all on the hotel. I struggle to see how a true 5 star could do that price. However, low price may be influenced by the car bomb recently. I've been twice to Marrakech and it's an amazing city/country, totally amazing. But you must be prepared for chaos, people trying to show you around for money (very poor country), no alcohol in most restaurants (perhaps the hotel would be different though). And no beach here. I do love it so much there just not sure how well it would translate to a package type holiday - more of a backpacking type destination.

pudding

did a search for the hotel and it's really expensive to stay there so travelzoo deal is good...I am booking it seperate though as they said they didn't have my dates but by me booking my own flight and same hotel it works out a bit cheaper

4x4

Hi
I've just booked a week. Since I booked at teatime there have been updates changing the prices and the chap said altho the offer was supposed to last till 1st june he doubted it would last past tomorrow! I have been looking for a good deal for months and this jumped out at me. Flying from Scotland this is a good deal as flights are always more from here. Their hotel website has crashed tonight but I found more info via Facebook. Morrocco is like Turkey etc. Keep covered when in the markets as it is commonsense that to display flesh will offend. Remember they love to haggle. hope this helps.

PompeyPete

Excellent thread from the Trip Advisor Marrakesh discussion forum...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g293734-i9196-k4503050-To_go_or_not_to_go-Marrakech.html

...and also a very recent one of caution off the Aljazeera website...

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/05/2011522204645915126.html

markandkate

Hi in Marrakech there is the medina and then the modern part of the town. Most of the up market hotels are in the modern part which is about 2 miles away from the medina. If you want atmoshpere and want to be able to walk around at night and browse the souks and the main square then you need to stay in the medina or get a taxi from your hotel. Buses and other long distance transport leave from the centre too.

mcc100

4x4 wrote: »

Keep covered when in the markets as it is commonsense that to display flesh will offend.

Simply not true.

It is not an issue as to what you wear.

lynnexxxo

We have also been looking at tis deal. Do you think marrakesh would be fun with kids? We have 4 kids ages 7.4 and 2 year old twins. Will it be too hot in July? Are the markets so busy I would lose them?

vixx

mcc100 wrote: »

Simply not true.

It is not an issue as to what you wear.

I disagree. It makes sense to dress modestly when in the old part of the city and in the souqs/market areas.
Morocco is a fairly secular islamic country however dressing modestly (if you are a woman) does prevent a LOT of unwanted attention.

I'm not saying you have to cover head-to-toe, but 3/4 sleeves and minimum of knees covered is not only easier on you, but more respectful of the local culture and this respect is returned.
No one will force you to cover, but you will find you are shown more respect if you don't have your cleavage and legs on display.

I travel in the Middle East/North Africa a lot and am always amazed to see tourists in skimpy clothes. It makes us all look bad and adds to the assumption that all western women have loose values.

Obviously, in modern hotels and around pools/beaches you will have no problems.