By Susan | SG Luxury Adventures | Westlake Village, California
Morocco had been on my bucket list for years. And when I finally went, I completely understood why so many travelers fall in love with this place and never stop talking about it.
My first stop was Marrakech, and within hours I was completely hooked. Not just by the beauty of it, though there is plenty of that, but by the feeling of it. The energy, the color, the noise, the stillness that somehow exists just behind a heavy wooden door in the middle of all that beautiful chaos.
This is the trip I now recommend to clients who want something that genuinely moves them. Read on — and then let’s talk.
Marrakech — Beautiful, Chaotic, and Completely Unforgettable
Picture this. You step off the plane, you get to your riad, and within twenty minutes you are wandering through narrow alleyways with no real plan — and it is absolutely perfect. Around every corner there are colorful lanterns, hidden courtyards, spice markets, rooftop cafés, handcrafted rugs, and doorways that open into worlds you never expected. It feels exciting and chaotic and magical all at once.
The colors alone are worth the trip — terracotta walls, cobalt blue doors, saffron lanterns, and the deep greens of hidden garden courtyards. The smell of spices drifting through the souks. The call to prayer echoing across rooftops at dusk. It hits every single one of your senses, and somehow it never feels like too much.
I was there in January, which turned out to be ideal — sunny and comfortable, perfect for long days of exploring without the intensity of summer heat. The question I get asked most often is when to go. My answer is almost always the same — avoid summer if you can. The shoulder seasons are where the magic is.
The Food — Better Than I Expected, and I Expected a Lot
I am a food person, so let me just say — Morocco delivered in every possible way.
Breakfast alone is an experience. Fresh breads, local honey, argan oil, olives, Moroccan pancakes, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and of course the mint tea. Warm, generous, unhurried. Do not skip it. Do not rush it.
The traditional khobz — that beautiful round Moroccan bread with its slightly crispy crust and pillowy center — showed up at nearly every meal and I was never once disappointed to see it. The beef tagine is something else entirely — slow cooked until the meat is falling apart, layered with warming spices, olives, and preserved lemon. And then there is the bastilla — a flaky pastry filled with spiced meat, almonds, and a dusting of cinnamon and powdered sugar. Sweet and savory together in a way that should not work but absolutely does. If you see it on a menu, order it without hesitation.
Dining in Marrakech felt like an experience in itself at every turn — whether sitting on a rooftop overlooking the medina or tucked into a candlelit corner of a beautiful riad.
Experiences Worth Every Bit of the Hype
The Medina, Jemaa el-Fna and the Souks
The Medina is the ancient walled old city, and at its heart sits Jemaa el-Fna — a UNESCO cultural treasure that has been the soul of Marrakech since the eleventh century. Flowing right out of the square are the Souks — a maze of covered alleyways packed with lanterns, spices, leather goods, pottery, and carpets. You drift between all three just by walking and you genuinely never want to stop.
Come back at night. That is when Marrakech truly comes alive. As the sun goes down, the square transforms. Food stalls appear out of nowhere, smoke rises from open grills, and the energy shifts into something electric. Walk through it slowly. Order something from a stall. Sit down and just take it all in.
A Traditional Hammam
A hammam was on my list but I had no idea what I was actually in for. I did it on my very first day and looking back it was the perfect way to arrive.
It began with a soak in a refreshing indoor pool with a view of the Atlas Mountains in the far distance. Then comes the kessa scrub — a coarse mitt on a marble slab — and let me just say, the intensity of it genuinely caught me off guard. What comes off your skin is shocking in the best possible way. By the time they finish with the black soap, a warm rinse, fragrant oil, and a long proper massage, you feel like a completely different person.
Advisor Tip: Book your hammam early in your trip — ideally right after you arrive after a long flight. Your body will thank you.
Jardin Majorelle and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum
Just outside the medina and absolutely worth it. Electric blue structures, cascading tropical plants, lily ponds, and a color palette that feels almost too beautiful to be real.
Advisor Tip: Book tickets exclusively through the official site — they sell out days ahead.
A stunning former Islamic school hidden inside the medina dating back to the 14th century. Intricate tilework, carved cedar ceilings, and stucco detailing that will stop you in your tracks. One of the most beautiful historic sites in all of Morocco.
An extraordinary 19th century palace with elaborately decorated rooms, tranquil courtyards, and lush gardens. A glimpse into the grandeur of Moroccan royal life that is not to be missed.
A Private Cooking Class in a Riad
Very different from a group hotel class. Many begin with an early morning market visit — picking out spices, vegetables, and fresh bread — before heading back to a beautiful riad kitchen to cook together. Tagines, Moroccan salads, flatbreads, and of course the mint tea. Pace yourself. It is hands-on, personal, and the kind of morning you talk about for years.
A Pottery or Mosaic Class with a Local Artisan
Marrakech is world-renowned for its handmade pottery, tilework, lanterns, and textiles — and learning directly from the people who make them is a completely different experience from simply shopping for them.
The Biggest Surprise of the Trip — A Night in the Agafay Desert at Inara Camp
This was the highlight of the entire trip — and honestly one of my favorite travel experiences.
The Agafay Desert sits about 45 minutes outside Marrakech. It is not the Sahara — no rolling sand dunes — but what it offers is something entirely its own. A dramatic rocky landscape that feels remote, peaceful, and strikingly beautiful. We rode camels through the desert at sunset, which sounds like something you simply check off a list. It was not. It was genuinely breathtaking.
Inara Camp is where we stayed — and when I say camp, do not picture camping. Picture a beautifully designed tented suite with heat and air conditioning, a proper full bathroom, a spacious sitting area, a comfortable bed, and a private deck with desert views that stopped me in my tracks every time I stepped outside. We were greeted on arrival with warm mint tea while overlooking that landscape.
The night unfolded slowly and perfectly. Cocktails under the stars. Making traditional flatbread over an open fire. Henna painted on our hands in the firelight. A gorgeous candlelit Moroccan dinner. And then just sitting around a campfire with people we had only just met, feeling completely far away from everything.
Peaceful. Luxurious. Unlike anywhere I have ever been. If you do nothing else on this trip — do this.
Where to Stay
I have to say — staying in a riad was one of the highlights of my entire trip and something I recommend to every single client who visits Marrakech. There is nothing quite like stepping through an unassuming door in the middle of the medina and finding yourself in a stunning private courtyard with a fountain, mosaic tiles, fragrant orange trees, and complete stillness. The contrast with the beautiful chaos just outside is extraordinary. It is one of those experiences that genuinely surprises you — and stays with you long after you get home.
A riad is not just a place to sleep. It is part of the experience itself. If you are going to Marrakech, you have to stay in one — at least for part of your trip. Trust me on this one.
My relationships with the finest properties in Morocco mean my clients enjoy preferred rates, exclusive amenities, and the kind of personal attention you simply will not find booking on your own.
Properties worth the Splurge
Royal Mansour Marrakech — Each guest has their own private riad within the hotel grounds, with dedicated butler service and exceptional dining. One of the most extraordinary hotels I have experienced anywhere in the world.
La Mamounia — Voted best hotel in the world multiple times by Condé Nast Traveler, this iconic Marrakech palace has welcomed Winston Churchill, Yves Saint Laurent, and Hollywood legends since 1923 — and its lush gardens, stunning Art Deco Moorish interiors, and legendary service make it just as extraordinary today.
La Sultana Marrakech— Five traditional riads merged into one extraordinary boutique hotel in the heart of the Kasbah, with candlelit pools, two hammams, and rooms so beautifully decorated they feel like sleeping inside a piece of Moroccan history.
The Oberoi Marrakech — For those who want to escape the energy of the medina without leaving the magic of Morocco behind, the Oberoi sits about 20 minutes outside the city in a setting that feels like a complete retreat. Beautifully designed, serene, and surrounded by lush gardens and Atlas Mountain views. I stayed here myself and it was the perfect antidote to the wonderful chaos of the city. If you want luxury, quiet, and space — this is your answer.
Inara Camp, Agafay Desert — Already covered above, but worth saying again. Go. Just go.
Before You Go — My Advisor Tips
- Avoid summer if you can — shoulder seasons are where the magic is
- Install an eSIM before your flight — about $15–20 USD, works the moment you land
- Stay in a riad for at least part of your trip — it completely changes the experience
- Book Jardin Majorelle tickets only through the official site — avoid third-party resellers
- Book your hammam early in your trip — ideally right after arrival
- Bring cash for the souks, taxis, tips, and smaller cafés — not everywhere takes cards
- Dress comfortably and respectfully, especially near religious sites
- Alcohol is not widely served in the medina — research restaurants in advance if this matters to you
Ready to Plan Your Morocco Trip?
Morocco is one of my absolute favorite trips to plan — and one I recommend without hesitation to clients who want something that genuinely moves them. Whether you are dreaming of Marrakech, a night under the stars in the Agafay Desert, or a deeper journey through the country — I handle every detail so you can simply arrive and experience it.
If Morocco is calling you, let’s talk.
Contact SG Luxury Adventures 📍 Westlake Village, CA | 🌐 www.sgluxuryadventures.com
SG Luxury Adventures is a proud member of Virtuoso, the world’s leading luxury travel network.
