Most riads and hotels stay open for the Christmas and New Year season, and some of these have interesting special offers for their remaining rooms – you can read more about there in our recent article on special offers here. Remember that most of these special offers have been negotiated by Morocco Gateway and are therefore only available through ourselves.

For those people who want to get away but for peace and quiet, there are a number of riads and hotels on the outskirts of Marrakesh such as La Palmeraie area, which are always popular over the Festive season. We have listed these in a selection called “Marrakesh Borders” here.

Almost of interest may be our list of clubs and restaurants in Marrakesh here.

For family trips in Marrakesh and across Morocco, have a look at our selection of family-friendly riads and hotels here, and for multi-family parties, you may also want to look at a choice of riads and hotels that cater for large parties by clicking here.

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Riad Ksiba in Marrakesh is a small riad has 2 suites still remaining for Christmas and New Year. And for people who stay more than 6 nights, they offer a complimentary dinner the day of arrival and put maroccan patisseries, a bottle of water and flowers in rooms upon arrival. 

Close by in Marrakesh also, The Zen House has some availbaility and offer group discounts – ask the owner Carla both these in any enquiry you submit through us. Special occasions can also be celebrated at Zen House. Recent celebrations the riad has organised include a 4-day birthday celebration for a group of 12 and dinners with live traditional music and dancing. 

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La Maison Arabe has a selection of rooms and suites over the  Christmas and New Year. Ask also about their popular cookery classes. 

Just outside central Marrakesh, and for a luxurious and preaecful Christmas and new Year holiday, Caravanserai is a boutique hotel offering seventeen stylish rooms in the tranquil northern Marrakech region of La Palmeraie. It still has some available Suites or Superior Suites. Read more about the hotel here.

If you fancy avoiding the city, then Ksar Shama is located in Ouirgane in foothills of the Atlas Mountains, just an hour by car from Marrakesh. They also offer Morocco Gateway users a number of special offers where they stay for 5 days or more – read more about these offers and the hotel here.

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John Malkovich will be acting as the President of the competition jury, which includes Gabriel Byrne, Maggie Cheung, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benoit Jacquot, Eva Mendes and Faouzi Bensaidi.

The renowned director Francis Ford Coppola will host a Master Class for both film students and festival-goers.

Sigourney Weaver,  will also be attending as President of the festival’s first ever short film jury and will hold the honours of awarding the contest winner will be a 300,000 dirham prize (about $37,200), with all the proceeds to go to the funding of a second short film that will have to be completed within three years.

So if you are interested in film and are planning a trip to Morocco, early December will be a good time to choose. Just make sure you don’t leave it too late to book a Marrakesh riads or hotel – for a selection click here.

Name: Riad Ksiba

Address: Derb Kbala No. 147, Marrakech Medina

Rating: ***

Ksiba opened its doors in 2004 after two years of extensive restoration work using traditional Moroccan craftsmen and skills. Najib Tabiai, the accomplished Moroccan architect, oversaw the restoration work  and the hotel has been given a First Class licence by Marrakech’s tourism board.

The literary theme is encapsulated in the naming of the six suites – each is called after a famous Moroccan writer. Many of the bedrooms have seating areas, while the Nizar Suite comes with its won private terrace on which to curl up with a book or write your own stories with notepad and pen.

There are plenty of communal relaxation areas, too. The roof terrace, for example, has an open shower to take the edge off on a hot day and has many parasol covered sun loungers to lie on.

On the ground floor you will find the plunge pool, which is surrounded by banana, orange and lemon trees that provide ample shade.

Internally, there are two salons – one summer, one winter – in which you can rest, read, play games and generally relax.

There is no real in-house restaurant at Ksiba, but the kitchen can serve three meals a day, and caters for vegetarian, vegan and other special dietary requirements.

Breakfast is included in the price of your stay and, so long as you request it at breakfast time, lunch and dinner can be cooked for a small charge. The riad’s staff will go to the market and purchase the ingredients fresh on the day, ensuring a delicious meal.

Riad Ksiba is located south of the main Marrakech medina, meaning it’s ideal for exploring the city on foot. Nadia, the riad’s owner, is happy to give advice on places to visit, while car and driver hire and personal shoppers and guides can also be arranged.

Morocco Gateway can offer special rates for guests at Riad Ksiba. For more information, contact us via our booking enquiry page.

We also have many special offers on Morrocan hotels and riads, both in Marrakech and beyond.

That’s why we’re pleased to welcome Dar Zemora, a Marrakech riad with a four star rating, to the Morocco Gateway family. Read on to discover this little bit of luxury just a short drive from the heart of the city.

Dar Zemora was bought by its English owners in 2001 and opened its doors as a hotel in 2003. It comprises the large main house and the smaller Pavilliion Suite, which has two bedrooms and a private pool – ideal for a small group or pair of couples.

The decoration of all the bedrooms maintains a traditional Moroccan style, each unique with painted zouak ceilings, moucharabieh woodwork and tadalkt walls. There are also a selection of reception rooms – the Casablanca Room is relaxed and informal, the Omar Room cosy and perfect for couples. There’s also the Fan Room, with traditional floor seating, where guests can order drinks.

For entertainment, there is a library with books and board games such as backgammon and chess available, along with playing cards. Although there are no televisions in the bedrooms to help maintain the riad’s peaceful atmosphere, there are portable DVD players and even iPods available to borrow.

Meals are a particular highlight at Dar Zemora; Ahmina, one of the chefs, hosts taste test nights four times a week, and as Dar Zemora has its own herb and vegetable gardens there are always plenty of fresh ingredients available.

For relaxation, guests can walk through the herb garden to the treatment room, where beauty treatments including manicure and hammam are available. There’s also a croquet lawn and large swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers.

Perfectly distanced from Marrakech to give a real sense of retreat but close enough for an easy visit, Dar Zemora is a haven of relaxation. If you feel like being adventurous, staff can also help arrange trips for such things as camel or horse riding, golf and tennis.

Click here for details of Morocco Gateway’s special deals on Dar Zemora.

Hotel: Riad el Mezouar

Address: 28 Derb el Hammam, Issebtinne, 40000 Marrakech

Rating: ***

Based in the North of Marrakech medina, Riad el Mezouar is an elegant town house dating back to the 18th Century. Once owned by Moroccan royalty, the name means “head of the family” and the riad has a classy feel. It’s owned by Michel Durand-Meyrier, an interior designer who has maintained the original architecture of the building and preserved its character while at the same time giving it a contemporary and comfortable feel.

When the riad was restored, Michel employed only local craftsmen and traditional materials to add to the authentic feel. Being environmentally conscious was also high on his priorities and touches such as ceiling fans in place of air conditioning are of note.

There are five rooms in this riad – three suites and two doubles, all en-suite and all uniquely decorated in different styles. Throughout the rooms and halls of this Marrakesh riad you will find an eclectic mix of art from Africa, Asia and Europe, while bespoke silk fabrics drape over the furniture. The eye is naturally drawn to these stunning furnishings thanks to the minimalist whitewashed walls.

Step outside to the courtyard garden and the first thing that hits you is the glorious scent – lavender, jasmine and myrtle create an olfactory delight. This garden borders an Arabian marble fountain and the swimming pool, where energetic guests can work out with aqua gym lessons.

Riad Mezouar also has a roof terrace with sunbeds and seating areas, all overlooking the Atlas Mountains. Indoors, communal salons are available for guests to use at any time, and there’s also a small library and gift shop to peruse.

Although there is no in house spa, you can enjoy spa treatments including massage with essential oils.

Meals are an exquisite mix of Oriental, Asian and French cooking, making use of herbs from the courtyard and fruit from the surrounding trees. The chef was previously employed by Lailla Aicha, sister of King Hassan the Second, so you’re always guaranteed a quality feed. You can also learn how to cook the meals yourself as the chef offers cookery lessons.

Private concerts of Arabo-Andalusian music can be arranged by the hotel staff and excursions can also be organised around the city and to the Atlas mountains.

Morocco Gateway can offer special rates for guests at Riad el Mezouar. For more information, contact us via our booking enquiry page.

We also have many special offers on Morrocan hotels and riads, both in Marrakech and beyond.