How to choose your hotel district in Marrakech

If you’re planning a holiday in the beautiful city of Marrakech then you may well have found yourself with far too many wonderful choices for your hotel district. From the astounding architecture of Medina to the bustling nightlife found in Gueliz and Hivernage, the regions of Marrakech has much to offer many. So how do you know which area will be most suitable to you and what you’re looking for in a holiday? Well without a detailed guide that is truthful about the pros and cons of each area you may find yourself struggling to find reliable information. Luckily for you we created this article… Medina (historic centre) The pros: Medina is just steeped in history, with its wonderful architecture being testament to this. This area features the traditional riads that Marrakech has become famous for. As well as this there are no end of monuments and sites to explore. A great example of which is the Jemaa el Fna Square. The cons: Medina is an extremely busy area that has all the associated noises and litter of a bustling city region. Some great hotel and riads: La Sultana, Riad noir d’ivoire, Riad Noos Noos, Villa Makassar and Les Jardins de la Koutoubia. If you don’t mind the busyness of Medina then this will make for a perfect location for those looking for an authentic, exotic Marrakech experience. City center – Gueliz and Hivernage The pros: Gueliz and Hivernage in Marrakesh‘s city centre is positively buzzing thanks to the many restaurants serving local delicacies to the unrivalled nightlife. For daytime activities there are plenty of shops to visit and exploring the area by public transport is no problem at all. The cons: As with any city centre the region can lose its authenticity, for this reason Gueliz and Hivernage are far from the architecturally rich region of Medina. Some great hotels and riads: Le Renaissance, Le Bab Hotel, Radisson (opening soon) and the Four Seasons. Gueliz and Hivernage make for a must stay region for those looking for a city centre experience with days filled with visits to the Medina or shopping and evenings spent dining and enjoying the nightlife. Route de l’Ourika and Route de Tameslot The pros: Whilst Route de l’Ourika and Route de Tameslot are found outside of Marrakech (with the closest hotels to the city being approximately 5 kilometres away) the rewards for staying a little further away are unparalleled. These areas benefit from a wonderfully traditional culture that will invoke a feeling that is far calmer than is found in the hustling, bustling city centre regions. These areas are also amongst the most scenic around. The cons: Because of the location you will require a form of transportation (e.g. a car). However the seclusion of this area is also its best feature. Some great hotels and riads: Beldi Country Club, Capaldi and Hotel Selman. For those looking for rest and relaxation in one the most beautiful regions on earth Route de l’Ourika and Route de Tameslot are perfect. La Palmeraie The pros: La Palmeraie is a wonderfully luxurious region that is found close to the city centre. It’s crisp, clean air is coupled with wonderfully open spaces, gardens and golf courses. The cons: La Palmeraie consists of mostly residential buildings which mean that there are no stores to be found close by. Some great hotels: Les Deux Tours, Dar Sabra, Murano and Jnane Tamsna. La Palmeraie is perfect for those looking for a calmer region that is closer to the city centre than Route de l’Ourika and Route de Tameslot. For golfers this area is a must book! Le quartier de l’Agdal The pros: Le quartier de l’Agdal is located close to the city centre with a shopping centre close by for those that yearn for retail therapy. The WTCC race event is also found close by, as is the Multiplex cinema for those who fancy hiding in a cool environment for a few hours. The cons: This region offers much in the way of shopping and activities, but because of this it is relatively commercial and it could be said to lack charm. Additionally, it is not central to Marrakech (although it is more conveniently located than the Route de l’Ourika and Route de Tameslot regions). Additionally the hotels to be found here are likely to be large, chain hotels. Some great hotels: Le Cesar, Pacha and Adam Park. Le quartier de l’Agdal makes for a commercialised area that may be perfect for those looking for a less authentic experience. That said, Marrakech isn’t too far away and so the best of both worlds may be experienced with ease. Image: Shutterstock Stéphane Abtan is Director at Dar Ayniwen. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.