First Holiday in a long time.....need some help please

DullGreyGuy

richardvc said:

In early May we are going on our first warm poolside holiday in a long time....

Five days at a 4* all inclusive place in Marrakech

Please can someone help me with what I should take as we plan to lounge by the pool, do an odd excursion here and there and generally relax and have a few drinks...

What clothes do I need ?
What are the holiday essentials ?

Apologies for this if I'm posting on the wrong board but I'm a bit clueless as we usually take city breaks and not holidays like this.

I'm getting very excited about it and would love your help but also feel a touch embarrassed for being so helpless, hence why I have asked here !

5 days / 4 nights in warm temperatures, lounging by the pool and relaxing

What do I need ?

Marrakech would normally be considered a city break. 

Whilst in the hotel, swimwear for the pool, a cover of some description for getting to/from the pool, suntan cream, sun glasses, hat. 

Lookup at your hotel's website about their evening dress code, in some places you can get away with t-shirt and shorts, some more upmarket places may require trousers and shirt. 

The more tricky part is the trips because you dont specify what they are likely to be or when? If you are likely to visit any religious sites then you need loose clothing that covers you up inc arms and legs. If you're going for a hike in the Atlas Mountains then appropriate footwear. Whilst daytime temps are high evening is much cooler and so if you are going out at night you may want a jumper or light jacket. 

richardvc

brianposter said:

Dont assume it is always warm - the low today is 10 C.

I shall check !! Thank you !

richardvc

Snozzle said:

The food has been wonderful in the 'all inclusive' hotels we've tried so didn't eat elsewhere. Drinks unlimited till 11 p.m. in all our 'all inclusives'. Finally we only used bottled water to brush our teeth / drink.  Again given or ask at bar for water and bottles are given freely to you. 

Bottled water, noted thank you

richardvc

Snozzle said:

I've flown several times to Morocco over the last 18 months but not to Marrakesh. All times we needed paper boarding tickets to leave the country. You couldn't have your tickets on your phone.  Plus we also needed to show a paper copy of where we were going to stay when we arrived each time. We basically print all our boarding cards, both for going and our return, before we head to the airport and also print off our hotel booking confirmation and have it to hand when landing. 

Also keep your passport handy at the airport / boarding. It's checked constantly - including when you board the plane. The EasyJet staff told us it's the law so they have to check your passport on boarding too. 

Finally, when we land we normally go to a cashpoint machine/ exchange in the airport and, and using a card that doesn't charge you fees take a little cash out. We've rarely used any cash at the 'all inclusive' hotels but do at the souks or if we take a taxi anywhere (negotiate the price before you get in).

Have a wonderful time! 

We are only there 4 nights but I assume we need to tip...if so how much cash do we need please ? Apologies for all the questions

strawbeery90

Marrakech in May will be lovely and warm, so you’ll definitely want to pack light, comfy, and breathable clothes.

zagfles

A few tips:

If you have a mobile contract it is ESSENTIAL you fully understand what you'll be charged for usage, see this thread £6400 mobile bill for 6 day honeymoon — MoneySavingExpert Forum  

Except some level of hassle when you're out and about, people trying to sell you stuff or put a snake round your neck for a picture, or wanting to show you around the medina etc. If you go with it they don't usually want much, eg 10-20 dirhams (under £1-2). 

If you take excursions it's likely you'll get a stop at somewhere like an Argan oil factory where you'll get a tour and then a hard sell on the products which are invariably overpriced. Don't feel obliged to buy anything. Especially if you get told it's a "women's co-operative", that seems to be the latest method everywhere of getting gullible western tourists to buy overpriced tat, was even used in a carpet factory in Turkey where all the sales staff were men 

And respect the fact you're in a different culture, don't assume places serve alcohol, dress modestly out and about, don't assume everyone will speak English (French is more commonly spoken so if you speak French it will be useful, a lot of signs are in French as well as Arabic). 

Eldi_Dos

richardvc said:

Snozzle said:

I've flown several times to Morocco over the last 18 months but not to Marrakesh. All times we needed paper boarding tickets to leave the country. You couldn't have your tickets on your phone.  Plus we also needed to show a paper copy of where we were going to stay when we arrived each time. We basically print all our boarding cards, both for going and our return, before we head to the airport and also print off our hotel booking confirmation and have it to hand when landing. 

Also keep your passport handy at the airport / boarding. It's checked constantly - including when you board the plane. The EasyJet staff told us it's the law so they have to check your passport on boarding too. 

Finally, when we land we normally go to a cashpoint machine/ exchange in the airport and, and using a card that doesn't charge you fees take a little cash out. We've rarely used any cash at the 'all inclusive' hotels but do at the souks or if we take a taxi anywhere (negotiate the price before you get in).

Have a wonderful time! 

We are only there 4 nights but I assume we need to tip...if so how much cash do we need please ? Apologies for all the questions

If you are going to tip in a all inclusive I would give to the Maitre D' on the first night, you might get better service during your stay that way.

brianposter

" wanting to show you around the medina " should ring alarm bells anywhere although Marrakesh is generally pretty safe.

jimi_man

richardvc said:

Snozzle said:

I've flown several times to Morocco over the last 18 months but not to Marrakesh. All times we needed paper boarding tickets to leave the country. You couldn't have your tickets on your phone.  Plus we also needed to show a paper copy of where we were going to stay when we arrived each time. We basically print all our boarding cards, both for going and our return, before we head to the airport and also print off our hotel booking confirmation and have it to hand when landing. 

Also keep your passport handy at the airport / boarding. It's checked constantly - including when you board the plane. The EasyJet staff told us it's the law so they have to check your passport on boarding too. 

Finally, when we land we normally go to a cashpoint machine/ exchange in the airport and, and using a card that doesn't charge you fees take a little cash out. We've rarely used any cash at the 'all inclusive' hotels but do at the souks or if we take a taxi anywhere (negotiate the price before you get in).

Have a wonderful time! 

We are only there 4 nights but I assume we need to tip...if so how much cash do we need please ? Apologies for all the questions

I was there in November. 10% for tipping is more than plenty. We used the Careem app for taxis. For your mobile phone we downloaded an e-sim through Airolo. Wasn't very expensive.

Temps will be around 27c during the day, a nice temperature. And French is a real help if you can speak it. 

Barkin

jimi_man said:

richardvc said:

Snozzle said:

I've flown several times to Morocco over the last 18 months but not to Marrakesh. All times we needed paper boarding tickets to leave the country. You couldn't have your tickets on your phone.  Plus we also needed to show a paper copy of where we were going to stay when we arrived each time. We basically print all our boarding cards, both for going and our return, before we head to the airport and also print off our hotel booking confirmation and have it to hand when landing. 

Also keep your passport handy at the airport / boarding. It's checked constantly - including when you board the plane. The EasyJet staff told us it's the law so they have to check your passport on boarding too. 

Finally, when we land we normally go to a cashpoint machine/ exchange in the airport and, and using a card that doesn't charge you fees take a little cash out. We've rarely used any cash at the 'all inclusive' hotels but do at the souks or if we take a taxi anywhere (negotiate the price before you get in).

Have a wonderful time! 

We are only there 4 nights but I assume we need to tip...if so how much cash do we need please ? Apologies for all the questions

For your mobile phone we downloaded an e-sim through Airolo. Wasn't very expensive.

Good point. Data roaming is pricey.

MrsB used an esim - cost 9 quid I think. I didn't bother, and made do with free wi-fi when it was available.

After we got back, I worked out that, had I used the same amount of roaming data that she used on her esim, it would've cost me just north of £1200...