Useful Tricks

One such invaluable instruction to having an ideal holiday in Marrakech is to let the Hotel Gomassine be your haven. The city – particularly the Medina and the main square Djemaa el-Fna – is a great but insistent and disordered jumble of sensory overload. Another great tip would be to visit the souks and palaces of the Old City during your mornings, at that time it being only ten minutes by cab to the hotel. And you can best use those hours in the afternoon, between 2 PM and 5 PM: planning yourself a retreat back to this nice little peaceful paradise with a surprisingly lovely swimming pool. What better place to cool off, take some rest, and recharge your drained batteries for the evening than here?

Live the modern Gueliz lifestyle right at your front door. Many tourists see only the old Medina, but this is where modern Moroccans live, work, and play. Instead of just using the hotel as a base, one evening should be planned for exploring the local neighborhood on foot across wide, tree-lined boulevards, stopping at art galleries along the way, and having a sophisticated cocktail at some hip joint. For dinner there’s one of the modern Moroccan style bistro’s nearby available that serves creative interpretations of classic bistro fare– a great contradiction to the traditional Tagines you’ll find elsewhere.

Its location is ideal for visiting the Jardin Majorelle. A critical hack is to go right when it opens at 8:00 AM. Make sure to purchase your tickets online in advance, for the long line at the entrance can be breezed past. Get there early, therefore, and you’ll skirt around the huge tour bus crowds that land at 10:00 in the morning. You get to wander relatively peacefully through the magical blue garden, hear birds, and take dozens of photos with no hundreds of other people in your shot. Visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum within the same building, after the garden, before the crowds get there as well.

The Petit Taxis transfer you from Gueliz to the Medina. Service is “metered;” however, in practice, many drivers (especially with tourists) know only the word “le compteur” in French. Such a smart move always is having small bills with amicable but firm discussion about the fare before entering. A run to the Djemaa el-Fna only averages between 20-30 MAD. Another option is a completely stress-free solution from one of the many haggles – ride-hailing apps like ‘Careem’ or ’InDrive’ currently available and being used in Marrakech. The service provides a fixed, just, fare upfront, leaving no haggling hassle for the traveler.