Is Marrakech a good idea?

mustmakealist

I'm looking to go away on my own for a few days at the end of January and was thinking about Marrakech. Is this a good idea and where would be a good place to stay?
I have often planned flights and hotels seperately and would consider this or does anyone know of a good company that organises packages?
Any help gratefully received

LutonGirl

I agree with NandJ - Marrakech is great. Don't forget the wonderful Jardin Majorelle for some peace and calm in this busy city. There are open top double decker tour buses that you can take to get a good familiarisation of the city before hopping off and getting stuck in. We enjoyed the Hamam Spas, the wonderful food, and the general hubub of the place. We stayed at Riad Jonan http://www.riadjonan.com/ which was amazing. We booked separate flights and the Riad. Have fun!

Grantabrycge

Marrakech is amazing and a great choice in winter.

kandg

We went there in August 2011 and wouldnt go back anytime soon unless for a long weekend and some winter sun. We found some people very aggressive and were sworn at even by little kids and found at every turn someone tried to rip us off. This is very different to what other people told us so we got a bit of a shock. Our Riad was beautiful and right in the old town ( Riad Karmela) but had some nasty experiences out and about especially at the tannery where we hired a guide who left us and them demanded over £100 to show us back to the riad - we refused and managed ourselves. It was Ramadan when we were there and fairly quite during the day. We found the local food to be very good but repetative. The gardens are nice as is the cyber park. I feel like we need to give it a second chance as nobody seems to have had the experience we did so we may go back for a long weekend. We have travelled quite a lot and are not niave or ignorant of other cultures but this is my least favourite place and I was so disappointed as I really wanted to go there for a long time ! Good shopping though. I hope you enjoy it if you do go.

jetsetterjoe

As Kandg says, my experience of Marrakech was a pretty aggressive one - although if you go expecting this and do lots of research beforehand, you'll likely have at least an interesting experience.

You *will* be hassled and people *will* try to make money from you, but this is the same in many countries. You have to go with a *very* open mind and remember that this is a *very* different way of life.

There are some fantastic things to do there - As mentioned before, The Jardin Majorelle and the Cyber Park, but also Oasira (a water park if you're bored of the heat), the Koutoubia Mosque, the Souks (markets) and Hammams among other things. The answer really is to plan well and know what to expect.

miduck

I have been to Marrakech several times on my own, and found that as long as I was polite but firm I got very little hassle. If you come across as nervous or touristy you will be hassled, if you make it clear that you will not accept any nonsense you'll be absolutely fine.

PompeyPete

I can't believe that anyone goes to a place like Marrakesh, or anywhere in the Arab world, without doing some serious homework first!

zzzLazyDaisy

Marrakesh is great for a short break. Ryanair fly there and you can get cheap deals if you shop around. Some of the Riads are very reasonably priced - check out travel republic.

Although personally as a single, blonde, european woman, I probably wouldn't go there on my own.