We did a two-week couples trip to Morocco in ...
Morocco
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Oct 22 - Nov 4, 2023
We did a two-week couples trip to Morocco in late October 2023. Our driver was Auyub who very quickly became more than just a driver to us! He took his time to explain the culture of the different regions, their language, their religion, and we shared lots of laughs the entire two weeks! He didn't even mind our constant need to stop for snacks and sometimes rather bizarre questions! Or pulling over on the side of the road to take quick pictures. Informative, informational, but most of all just a wonderful person. I cannot express how much we enjoyed a two week road trip with our new and lifelong friend!
As for the individual half day tour guides that were provided by the company, they were all literally amazing. It could just be that the Moroccan people themselves are super warm and generous people, but having said that we were not disappointed in literally any guide we had. Very knowledgeable, local, and more than happy to share everything they knew about their city. Including stopping for coffee or tea, breaks and chitchatting with us with no subjects off-limits!
A couple tips. First, the Riads. They are wonderful and amazing when you have a nice one. Our one in Fes was not up to our expectations. In fact, it was disappointing. The other Riads were beautiful, but remember these are former houses, so do not expect all the modern amenities that you would get in a typical American hotel. Still, so glad we stayed in these rather than hotels.
Second, the Sahara desert. We stayed in the luxury camps with luxury tents. However long you plan to stay there, add an extra day! We stayed there two nights and a third night would have been just fine with us! The people in the camps live together during the tourist season and are clearly very close and it's almost like being invited to a brotherhood. The Nomad people were incredibly warm and inviting and we were surprised how kind they were in sharing their home with us. Even providing food which we know for them is a great expense. But they have a great deal of honor in showing you where they live.
Just as a reminder, you are traveling to a beautiful foreign country, where the people have lots of pride even if, and maybe even especially if, they lack financial means. Be kind to them. Be generous in your tips. Be humble. Remember that they do their very best to speak English, so be complementary to their abilities. At the hotel, we saw a very nasty fellow American citizen, very upset that the clerk could not understand his English. There's just no need to act like that when in someone else's home in my opinion.
Overall, zero regrets and going to Morocco and zero regrets for going for two weeks! If you take the plunge, be sure to ask for Auyub, and prepare for one of the warmest and fun two weeks of your life!
Hotel Reviews
Beautiful, but if you have trouble with your knees, or climbing 13 flights of stairs to get to the hotel, then do not risk this one! The views are breathtaking, the rooms are charming, but it is quite a hike up and down. Also, they are not allowed to sell wine. However, you can bring your own and they will open it for you for free and serve it for dinner for you for free! Just ask your driver to stop in town so you can pick some up before you head up those mountain of stairs!
The location of the hotel is great in that it is right in the Medina. Just make sure you drop a pin on your location so you can find your way back to it because it's very confusing in there… Like a maze! The lobby is beautiful, and the breakfast is charming and delicious. The rooms though! Ugh. They were both in terrible shape. The toilet was larger than our shower, and the curtain kept falling on top of us. Our friends had a bathtub, but the wife, who is 5'4", could not fit in the tub. It actually grossed me out. The ceilings were super low and my husband kept hitting his head on the cross beams. With the exception of the lobby, I would have passed on this hotel if I had seen it in person first.
I absolutely cannot say enough about this Camp! Every single member of the staff is like a family, and they make you feel welcome immediately when you get there. For being a tent, it had one of the best showers that we had had Turner entire time in Morocco! And I can say, without exception, that the food was the best out of all of the places that we stayed in our two weeks! It was like five star dining every single night! The staff would sit and play music for you at night and tell campfire stories, and ask about our country and share things about theirs! The owner was present and told us the entire story about how the camp came to be built out of love for the local community of nomads, as well as Berbers. His need to give back in love for his family with something to see! It is a magical magical place. Our only regret is not staying longer! We stayed two nights, but could've easily stayed three!
It was a typical hotel in a big city. It was clean, had adequate space, and had a beautiful dining room upstairs. Carpets dated in the rooms. The breakfast bar, though, it was amazing! No details missed!
Our absolutely favorite Riad of all the ones we stayed in! Just beautiful! Food amazing...in fact we are there twice! We also did the Hammad bath there! The rooms were magical and beautiful! Located in the heart of everything we really really enjoyed our stay!
Hotel was beautiful! Rooms clean and well decorated! Great location! Walking distance to shopping and beach. Staff wonderful and the breakfast delicious!! Eat at the Bobua restaurant that everyone recommends! It was fantastic!
Just gorgeous!!!!! Dining was amazing as was the staff. The rooms felt like you were in a castle! Just wonderful!!
