Photograph courtesy of NHYM 2024
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One of the greatest things about living in London, is the international and diverse people you meet. My friends hail from all over the world, from Nigeria to Russia, Egypt to Australia, Canada to India – and lets not forget all the Europeans – which makes it the most dynamic and interesting city to live in, and why I will always love it. This past year I was invited to six 50th birthday parties literally all over the world: Venice, Marrakech, Jamaica, Ibiza and of course, London (with twists of Russia and Sweden). While the people in London are great, sometimes the weather isn’t really considered the best, and for those searching October sun, Marrakech is a great option, so I was more than happy to jump on a flight to Marrakech last October for a romantic weekend without kids with Mr. X to celebrate a friend’s 50th.
1. Hotel Review: Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech
Hotel Rating: 9/10
One of my friends spends all her October half terms in Morocco in search of sun and knows it a lot better than me. She also knows what I like and what I don’t like and suggested I try out the Mandarin Oriental in Marrakech because I have already stayed in Riads a few times and wanted something quieter than staying in the Medina. Well, it was a great decision and it was recently voted Top Hotel in Northern Africa in the 2025 Conde Nast Readers Choice Awards, beating out La Mamounia and the Royal Mansour, and I would have to agree (for once!).
Photograph courtesy of NHYM 2024
Another great thing about London, is what a great travel hub it is and what’s amazing about Marrakech is that it’s only a 3.5 hour flight away from London, but the change of scenery couldn’t be more pronounced. It was 30 degrees Celsius when we were there and the style, colours and sounds couldn’t be more different: swap greys for sand colours, churchbells for mosques, suits for djellabas, and yes, rain for sunshine.
Photograph courtesy of NHYM 2024
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The Mandarin Oriental more than lived up to its expectation. Unlike the over-the-top, bling-tastic Mamounia, the pared back Moroccan style was completely up my alley. La Mamounia and the Royal Mansour, even though worth seeing for those looking for ultimate luxury and royal Marroccan style, they can be quite overwhelming with vivid colours, marbles, heavy chandeliers and mirrors everywhere, but it was not exactly the relaxing Feng Shui experience I was looking for.
At the Mandarin, the rooms were not rooms, they were gigantic villas each with an outdoor pool, multiple outdoor living spaces and nooks and crannies. It was one of the biggest hotel ‘rooms’ I’ve stayed in and it was absolutely stunning.
Photograph courtesy of NHYM 2024
The food was also a highlight, with an enormous breakfast buffet selection and great dinners at Ling Ling by Hakkasan, a trendy Chinese restaurant. While I was there, a trendy group of fashionista New Yorkers were also there for a party. This was definitely the place-to-be.
The spa is of course divine given it’s a Mandarin Oriental spa, and worth coming for it alone: it was named Best Spa in the World 2024 at the World Spa Awards.
Photograph courtesy of NHYM 2024
The birthday party was held at Jnane Tamsna, which is a very popular place to throw a birthday party. So popular that it’s the second party I’ve been invited to there, and even Naomi Watts had her 50th birthday party there. It has a spectacular set up and long, never ending table under candles and trees, which was quite unforgettable. It was a magical night, full of laughter, meaningful speeches, dancing and music, the birthday boy happily surrounded by friends and family. So, if you get a chance, don’t think twice and jump on that plane to get a little October sun.
Photograph courtesy of NHYM 2024
Marrakech Where to Stay:
1. Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Marrakech.: Overall winner!
2. La Mamounia: For Ultra Luxury and Moroccan Opulence.
3, Royal Mansour: Also Ultra Luxury, friends stayed there during a 50th birthday party and said it was one of the best hotels they had ever stayed in for a bucket list experience.
4. Fairmont Marrakech For those with kids, my friends recommends the Fairmont Marrakech, more affordable than the Four Seasons and just as great.
5. Four Seasons: you can’t go wrong with the Four Seasons.
6. Jnane Tamsna: For a boutique hotel experience outside the Medina, Jnane Tamsna is great, but save it for a birthday if you can, it is just magical.
7. Villa des Orangers,: Another boutique hotel but closer to the Medina.
8. Riyad El Cadi: for the Riyad experience in the Souk.
9. Riad El Fenn: Another very well known Riad in the heart of the Souk.
10. Les Palmiers: For those who like a boutique, rustic chic experience, a friend loves Les Palmiers.
xx
NHYM
http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com
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