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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Morocco’s Barbary Macaque measures somewhere between 38 and 76 cm in length and has a mass between 5 to 13 kg. They are tailless macaques and their front limbs are longer than the hind limbs. The fur of the Barbary Macaque is yellow-brown to grayish with paler undersides. Their faces are a dark pink color. In general, they are recorded to live for approximately 22 years.

So where will you find Barbary Macaques in Morocco? They are typically found at elevations between 1 600 and 2 100 m or higher, in the Atlas Mountains. They prefer forests consisting of oak, cedar and pine trees. Their waking hours, which are during the day, are spent both in the trees and on the ground. They are an herbivorous species and thus feed on fruit, leaves and roots, but are also known to nibble on insects.

Image by Jan Hoogendoorn

Barbary Macaques are gregarious and live in troops of between 10 to 30 monkeys. It is a matriarchal system, which means that the head female leads the group. However the troop is generally a blend of males and females. The lead female is determined through family lineage and the entire troop hierarchy is also run according to lineage. Barbary’s are unique amongst the macaques in that the males play a vital role in rearing and caring for offspring. They participate in grooming and playing with the young monkeys and thus form close social bonds. They have even been noted to have favorite youngsters with whom they spend more time. It appears the females prefer to select males which show greater parental ability and willingness.

Mating season for the Barbary Macaques is between November and March. Following conception, the gestation period lasts 196 days. The female will give birth to a single offspring. These young monkeys will only reach maturity at around 3 to 4 years of age.

Sadly, the Barbary Macaque is under threat due to habitat loss and ignorance. The IUCN Red List has added the species to the “Vulnerable” list.

The Barbary Macaque can be seen in the OUzoud valley, a day trip from any riad and hotel in Marrakesh and from any hotel in the Atlas Mountain area.

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On the ground floor you can find clothes, objects in beaten copper, arms and Berber jewellery.

Splendours from the past? Not at all, for many of the objects on display are still used and worn in mountain areas of Morocco.

The first floor salon impresses with its Hispano-Moorish decoration and elegant furniture in cedar wood.

The other rooms are filled with an abundance of carpets such as those originating from the Sahara region, characterised by the use of leather, and large, simple mats evoking the dry beauty of the semi-desert.

A remarkable collection of door and window frames is to be found around the courtyard, all encrusted with delicate and refined ornamentation.

And once back in the streets of Marrakesh, one can often better appreciate that the City’s inhabitants know how to keep the traditions of their culture alive.

The DAR SI SAID MUSEUM is located within a short distance of many of the riads and hotels of Marrakesh listed here.

A more recently added 300m heated pool tucked away from the rest of the park  in a beautiful secluded garden with its own restaurant is the perfect place for any sun worshippers to spend the day soaking up some rays.

In another area of the park, children, they will be thrilled to climb aboard the pirate ship and sail the Marrakesh seas. Then they can ride the artificial waves as they crash down onto the Marrakesh beach the Park has created, and like all good beaches you can have a game of volleyball or football.

As water slides, the Park offers  the Anaconda, the Boa and the Cobra. For the bravest visitors, there is the 17m high Kamikaze slide.

When your energy starts to fade you can take a dinghy and lie back and be carried along by the lazy river.

The Park also provides a choice of 5 different restaurants and snack bars so you will never go hungry. Each restaurant menu offers a variety of choice from snacks and pizzas to a full sit down multi-course lunch.

After lunch, you can take a stroll through the 10 hectares of shady gardens.

Oasiria is easy to get to as the park provides its own bus shuttle service to and from town. Click here for a timetable.

For a full day at Oasiria in the summer season that runs from The 27th of March to the 31st of August you can expect to pay 180dhs (€12-14) adult and 100dhs per child (€6-8) whilst children under 80cm go free. For just an afternoon its 140dhs per adult and 80dhs per child, and again children under 80cm go free.

The Oasiria Water Park is a short distance by taxi from any of the hotels and Riads of Marrakech listed here.

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. 

Image byPigFromSpace

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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ZamZam’s owner Emma Joyston-Bechal tell us more about the Goddess Retreat.

She explains. “Like all our specialist retreats, the Goddess Retreat goes beyond the traditional.  We get rid of the mysticism usually related to life exploration and come directly to the heart of the human condition. Based at Zamzam Riad in mystical Marrakech we also explore the Atlas mountains, the Sahara desert and the Atlantic coast.”

“By clearing energetic pathways, stirring up the fire of the breath and discussing what arises in a straight talking, refreshing way we help you gently peel back the layers to uncover your true liberated potential.”

“We think its time to lighten up to Enlightenment and whilst disciplined in our practice we also laugh together, celebrate and enjoy the magical gift of connection, allowing you to leave with a renewed sense of energy and joy.”

To get in contact with Emma directly and to learn more about the retreat, visit ZamZam’s page with us by clicking here.

Casablanca is the most popular of the Morocco’s airports with 49% of all passenger traffic so far in 2010. Despite this dominance some of Morocco’s other airports are witnessing significant growth, including Tangier (37.3%), Nador (21.8%) and the largest by Fez with arrivals growing by (39.2%).

The growth in Morocco’s aviation sector is largely down to two main factors. The first has been the government’s drive to develop the aviation infrastructure to support the growth of tourism industry. Between 2005 and 2008 the government invested €670m to expand and modernise the majority of the country’s 12 airports, including doubling the capacity of Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca to 8m passengers.

Morocco’s National Airport Office is currently undertaking a tendering process for an investment project to double the capacity at Marrakech International, as well as a €56m upgrade of Fez Saiss.

The second significant contributor to the growth in the Moroccan aviation sector is the open skies agreement signed between Morocco and the EU in 2006. This agreement removed all capacity restrictions and was the first of its kind between the EU and a non-EU member. The deal allows any number of airlines from the EU and Morocco unlimited rights to fly between any city-pair involving Morocco and EU member nations without significant restrictions on capacity, frequency or price.

This deal has attracted a number  of new airlines to serve the Moroccan market over the last three years. Some of the most significant included Ryanair, opening a new route between Edinburgh and Marrakesh starting in May 2010 and EasyJet’s  plan to open a new route between Fez and Paris in November 2010. EasyJet already operates flights to Casablanca, Marrakesh, Tangier and Agadir. Morocco also has its own low cost airline, Air Arabia Maroc, set up as a joint venture between various Moroccan investors and Sharjah’s Air Arabia , which was launched in late 2009.

Interestingly it is not just tourism that is driving Morocco’s growth in the aviation sector. Morocco is fast becoming an international player in the aerospace industry, developing as an important subcontracting base for European space and aeronautical contractors. Current the sector employs 7,000 workers across 90 companies generating exports of €520m. The Moroccan nation new agency reported in January that the Moroccan government has given a number of incentives to attract new aerospace firms, with the aim of creating 15,000 additional jobs in the sector and €360 million of GDP between 2009-2015.

Morocco is currently investing massively in its infrastructure to attract both tourists and business to the country. All this investment will make Morocco an even easier destination for European and international visitors and will be a welcome benefit to all of us who enjoy visiting Morocco so much. Here are some more articles on what makes Morocco such a great place to visit (we think!) – click here.

Hotel: Riad Dar Sbihi

Address: 25, Derb Taht El-Khochba, Zaouia El-Abbassia

Rating: ***

Riad Dar Sbihi sits to the north of Marrakech’s medina, away from the hustle and bustle of city life but just 15 minutes walk from the souks and main square.

Owners Sibylle and Saad Sbihi live in the riad full time, meaning they can always give advice and information to travellers and are more than happy to share their expert knowledge of Marrakech and surrounding area.

Dar Sbihi is a classically designed riad with four arcades giving access to all the rooms. Inside, the riad has been decorated by local craftsmen with Fes-style sculpted plaster, furniture carved from cedar wood and coloured glass windows surrounded by prettily patterned curtains.

This is a large riad, with five standard rooms, three mini suites and two large suites. One of the suites has its own private terrace.

The bathrooms are tiled in a traditional Moroccan style but are European in style. A real treat is contained within, as shower gels, soaps and other toiletries made locally using the famous Moroccan argan oil are on hand for guests to use.

Home made toiletries are also used in the marble hammam, where body scrubs and massages are on offer.

Breakfast is included in the price of your stay and there are also options for lunch and dinner, serving a range of traditional Moroccan cuisine. Mint tea and a selection of pastries are also available.

Indoors, there are two lounges in which to relax, also doubling up as a restaurant in the unlikely event that bad weather prevents eating in the courtyards.

The courtyard itself is beautiful and relaxing with a huge variety of fauna, including peach, banana and lime trees. A fountain filled with fresh flowers provides a central focal point.

Riad Dar Sbihi’s four terraces enable guests to view the Atlas Mountains and nearby sanctuary of Sidi Bel-Abbes. There’s a sun deck on one terrace to soak up the rays, and inside the Douiria (‘small house’) is a small swimming pool for guests to cool down in during the day.

If you’re planning an energetic holiday, there are bikes available for hire, and you can also explore the surrounding area on camel back or quad bike, go horse riding or take a flight in a hot air balloon. All in all, a hotel with something for everyone.

Morocco Gateway can offer special rates for guests at Riad Dar Sbihi. 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.

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.

Hotel: La Maison Arabe

Address: 1 Derb Assehbé, Bab Doukkala
, Médina Marrakech

Rating: ****

Food remains central to La Maison Arabe. The riad has two restaurants that are open to guests and visitors alike. Le Restaurant is highly decorated in a traditional Moroccan style, with a hand-painted zouaké ceiling and traditional Moroccan menu.

You will dine accompanied by the gentle tones of lute and guitar and can sample the specialities of the house with some dishes unique to the hotel.

For a less formal dining experience, La Maison Arabe’s second restaurant, Saveurs d’Ailleurs, offers a more modern fusion cuisine of several international dishes in a tapas style. Here, the musical accompaniment is provided by Andalusian pianists.

La Maison Arabe has a famous cookery school, so if the delicious dishes you taste in the two restaurants have whetted your appetite to learn the secrets of Moroccan cookery you can do it without leaving the hotel.

Moroccan chefs will teach you how to cook a variety of dishes, and English, Arabic and French interpreters are all available to help.

Step out of the kitchen and you’ll enter a world of relaxation. An on-site hammam offers traditional steam baths, massages, facials and mud baths, with many of the treatments using locally produced herbs and plants.

There is a private swimming pool, gardens and kasbah located just outside the city, accessible by the riad’s free, private shuttle service in just 15 minutes.

Here there are shaded areas in which you can relax and enjoy light refreshments from the snack bar.

At the main hotel there are two patios, one with an impressive water feature, the other shaded by olive trees and both full of flowers.

Staff at the hotel can arrange activities a little further afield. Golf, tennis and camel riding are among the activities available. Additionally, Maison Arabe is located just minutes from the heart of Marrakech medina.

Morocco Gateway can offer special rates on La Maison Arabe, as well as other riads in Marrakech and beyond.

Click to make a booking enquiry and find out more about this hotel.