Labyrinthine souks, exotic food, indulgent hammams and stylish rooftop bars are yours to explore while staying at a 5 star hotel in Marrakech. The heady sights and dazzling sounds of Marrakech, equal parts Arabian nights and French laissez-faire, will energize and enchant you. So grab your babouches and prepare to be whisked away on a thrilling feast for the senses you will never forget. There is no better city to get lost in, and lose yourself in, than the imperial city of Marrakech. Soak up the atmosphere and indulge in a rose-petal festooned suite at a 5 star hotel in Marrakech.

Luxury break: Superior 5 star stays in magical Marrakech

Paris of the Sahara: Gastronome & Shopping aficionado’s paradise

Perfectly encapsulating timeless tradition and cutting-edge couture in a pulsating cacophony of color and symphony of sounds, Marrakech is the gateway to Africa. A stay at a 5 star hotel in Marrakech will grant you a rich sensory experience that will remain with you forever. The Old Town Medina of Morocco’s capital has a wealth of must-see attractions, but further afield are Gueliz, or Ville Nouvelle, and L’Hivernage, two up-and-coming districts with a distinctly French feel. Start your day off on a side street pavement cafe with a syrupy dark coffee – you are going to need it. Follow the maze of Medina markets to the symbolic heart and main square of the Old Town, the Djemaa el Fna, where you will haggle, gape, gawk and shop until you drop. With spectacular spice tower displays that reach the skies, the market comes alive with aromas in a distinctly carnivalesque atmosphere, where beating drums and the mesmerizing melodies of snake charmers will hypnotize and entrance you. Spice up your pantry with North African flavours, splurge on ornate perforated metal lanterns, oriental rugs, lavish cashmere shawls, babouches, kaftans, and beautiful jewellery. For a less overwhelming experience, you could hire a shopping guide, who will take you to places according to your interests and help you with negotiating while keeping the vendors at bay. Or simply head to the leafy streets of the New Town where contemporary art galleries, cool cafés, upscale restaurants and big-name luxury stores await. Here you can splash out on top-quality art, pottery, and home ware or elegant and stylish clothes from up-and-coming international and local designers. Whether your preference is local street food or fine dining, your taste buds will call to mind the exceptionally flavoursome cuisine of Marrakech for years to come. Fragrant tangines, juicy kebabs, couscous, freshly cooked vegetables and delicious dips to be scooped up with bread are all part of the gastronomic feast while staying at a 5 star hotel in Marrakech. Try b’ssara (rich broad bean soup) or zaalouk (a smoked aubergine dip) with bread fresh from the oven – your taste buds will thank you.

Cultural paradise: Historical highlights & Magnificent museums

Marrakech is a history and culture lover’s paradise – there is a lot to see and do, so sit down, relax with a fresh cup of mint tea and take in the historic splendour around you. The Marrakech Museum, or Dar Si-SaÏd Museum, is housed in a palace so opulent and beautiful that it is a delight to explore. This museum, showcasing regional craftsmanship, is a monument to master artisans of Morocco. It also boasts a chest dating back to AD 1002-1007 that belonged to the chamberlain of Spain’s Umayyad Caliphate. The Masion de la Photographie Museum exhibits a vintage collection of Moroccan photography documenting the life and times between 1870 and 1950. After admiring the collection, you can have lunch or a coffee on the panoramic terrace on the top floor, taking in magnificent views over the imperial city. Though non-Muslims are not allowed to enter, the Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in the city boasting an impressive exterior of curved windows, pointed merlons and decorative arches. It has a large plaza with gardens where you can take in all its impressive intricacy, or visit at night when the plaza is floodlit and the mosque lights up in a dazzling display. Fashionistas will be familiar with the indigo blue art deco house that stands proudly as the centrepiece of the Jardin Majorelle, particularly because this beautiful cacti and botanical garden was so well loved by Yves Saint Laurent that he bought it in 1980. It took the French painter, Jacques Majorelle 40 years to create this enchanting garden in the heart of the city, and his passion and dedication are still evident today. Just next door is the Musee Yves Saint Laurent, dedicated to the fashion designer’s work and boasting a permanent display of hundreds of garments spanning his 40-year career. Built in the 19th century, the Palais de la Bahia was intended to be the grandest palace of its time, hence the name Bahia meaning “brilliance.” And Morocco’s top artisans who built it over 14 years achieved just that – La Bahia is certainly one of the masterpieces of Moroccan architecture and a veritable monument of the country’s rich cultural heritage. Not far from the Palais Bahia, the Mellah lies protected in the Kasbah walls. This is the old Jewish quarter of Marrakech and a must-see for all culture lovers. You can even have a hammam here, but whatever you do, don’t miss the synagogue.

Relax and Unwind: Wellness, Public gardens & Off the beaten track

It’s only natural that the countless places of interest and intense vibrancy of a city that never sleeps will tire you out. A trip to a hammam or spa goes hand-in-hand with a stay at a 5 star hotel in Marrakech. It might be a good idea to pay a visit to the local spice shop to pick up a khmiss (coarse glove for scrubbing) and black soap to soften your skin before the scrub down begins. You will find every treatment imaginable to relieve and relax your muscles, getting you ready to step back out into the fast-paced city with style. Why not pick up some local delicacies at a souk and enjoy a slow-paced picnic in one of Marrakech’s beautiful public gardens? You cannot get more central than the Harti Gardens, while the Menara Gardens surround a 16th century pavilion and ornamental lake, and the Arabo-Andalusian garden houses the 16th century Saadian Tombs, a richly-decorated necropolis that boasts some of the most beautiful tiling in all Morocco. For travellers to Marrakech looking to take the road less travelled by, a camel trek across the Sahara or to the stunning Atlas Mountains is the perfect off-the-beaten-track adventure. You will marvel at the beautiful natural landscape, fauna and local villages while you ride past the dunes and enjoy an authentic lunch of tangine, salads, seasonal fruits and freshly brewed mint tea with a local Berber family. Magical Marrakech is also an ideal starting point for trips further afield to Casablanca, Fez as well as the beautiful, laid-back coastal destination of Essaouira.