Sweet Travels: Marrakesh

Lodging

FOR A BUDGET: RIAD CHEKARAM

When searching for accommodation options in Morocco, you’ll encounter several Riads. Unlike a hotel, a Riad is a traditional Moroccan house. By definition, “Riad” means “enclosed garden,” which is exactly what you’ll find when staying at one of these properties. I opted to stay at Riad Chekaram (found via Airbnb), which was a very intimate experience. Dinner was shared with strangers who became friends. If guests chose to participate in the offered cooking class led by an extremely hands-on host, they helped prepare daily meals. I felt like I was staying with family. Riad Chekaram runs for about $70 to $80 per night, depending on the season. 

FOR A SPLURGE: BOUTIQUE HOTEL JNANE TAMSNA

Founded by Meryanne Loum-Martin in the early 2000s, Jnane Tamsna is the first Black-owned hotel in Morocco. The hotel is as delicate as it is intimate. It features five houses and pools, tennis courts, restaurants and decorative courtyards, as well as 24 individual rooms and private villa rentals. The hotel is a creative hub and will spark any artist’s inspiration. Loum-Martin hosts Philoxenia retreats in partnership with Parea Books. The retreats focus on literature and creative writing and bring together global Black creatives such as award-winning authors like Cleyvis Natera and Camille T. Dungy. She even offers scholarships for HBCU students to attend the retreats. The average hotel night ranges from $200 to $400 per night, depending on the season. 

Wellness

FOR A BUDGET: A TRADITIONAL HAMMAM EXPERIENCE 

Visiting a traditional Moroccan Hammam (also known as a bathhouse) is different from your typical spa day. It is a full-body ritual that will positively impact your mind, body and spirit. Travelers can easily find a Hammam in the old city, aka the Medina area. Once you enter the bathhouse, you can expect to enter a hot room for about 15-20 minutes, followed by a body exfoliation and lathering the body in soap before rinsing. To enter a traditional Hammam in Marrakesh will cost about $3 to $5, and most people spend about an hour in them. Note: Hammams are typically crowded on Thursday in advance of Friday prayer. 

FOR A SPLURGE: SPA DAY AT ROYAL MANSOUR

For a luxurious experience, book a spa day at the elite Royal Mansour. With facials, body treatments and massages, a day here is sure to relax and renew your soul. The spa at the Royal Mansour infuses holistic practices into the experiences, and services include wraps, exfoliations, intense hydration, lipomodeling and other manicure and pedicure services—most services start at $400. 

Adventure

FOR A BUDGET: HIKE THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS 

One of my favorite activities in Marrakesh was hiking the Atlas Mountains. Talk about views on views! The Atlas Mountains are North Africa’s highest mountain range. There are several hikes travelers can take, ranging from beginner to more advanced. If you’re experienced, you can hike without a guide for free. I opted to hike with my Dipaways group—my favorite part was being able to stop and have lunch in one of the villages with a local family. 

FOR A SPLURGE: BOOK A DAY EXCURSION: 

One of the best ways to experience adventure in Marrakesh is by getting to the desert, where there’s no shortage of fun—from ATVs to camel rides to sand dunes. I recommend booking a full-day experience from top trip sites such as Viator or GetYourGuide. Most full-day trips range from $100 to $200.