Travel Diaries
A Multigenerational Celebration in Marrakech
by Anna CortWith milestone birthdays on the horizon, we needed an excuse to escape. My husband, Jonathan, was about to turn 50, and my daughter would celebrate her sixth birthday. What started as a family-of-four trip quickly grew into a whole-family affair, turning it into a multigenerational adventure. The school holidays gave us the perfect window, but the question remained: where could we go that felt truly worthy of the moment? The answer surfaced late one night, shaped by a familiar wish list—guaranteed warmth, a short flight, no time difference from our UK home base and just enough adventure. It was clear where we were headed—a family trip to Morocco.
A Royal Arrival
We landed in Marrakech and were driven straight to The Oberoi, nestled among acres of olive groves on the city’s outskirts. Though we were already familiar with the property, nothing had prepared us for the Royal Villa. The two-bedroom residence unfolded like a private world of its own: expansive living spaces, a courtyard, a full kitchen and a shimmering pool surrounded by loungers, hammocks and shaded seating. For the children, it was pure magic; for the adults, almost too much to believe.
The days here unfolded gently, moving from feeding rescued donkeys to cycling the grounds and swimming at both the villa and main pool. Meals drifted between poolside lunches at Azur, dinners on the terrace at Tamimt and private dining in the villa itself. Coinciding with Diwali, the hotel hosted a spectacular evening in its central courtyard, where Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai curated a dinner under the stars at Rivayat. Thoughtful touches defined the stay: roses, champagne, birthday balloons and miniature robes, slippers and donkey soft toys for the kids. It was hospitality delivered with both precision and heart.
At the Foot of the Atlas
Leaving was bittersweet, but the next chapter beckoned. At Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, we met up with my parents and sister. Overlooking the Atlas Mountains, the resort offered space, greenery and a more relaxed rhythm—ideal for children. The kids’ club was transformed for Halloween, the vast pool complex became a daily draw and dining ranged from Italian evenings at Capricci to Moroccan classics at Al Aïn and lively brunches at L’Olivier. One detail stood out: staff consistently addressed guests by name (an impressive feat in a 135-room property).
Lost and Found in the Medina
After celebrating birthdays at another private villa in Marrakech with the whole family, 11 in all, we ventured into the Medina, where its narrow lanes promised both wonder and chaos. With three generations in tow, navigating the bustling stalls became an adventure, especially for my mother, determined to find the perfect (and inevitably overpriced) bowl. By midday, we took a breather at the historic Le Grand Café de la Poste before ending the day with sunset cocktails at Izza Marrakech, a serene riad tucked in the heart of the old city.
A Legend in the Heart of Marrakech
Among Marrakech’s treasures, La Mamounia shines brightest—a stay every traveler dreams of. Now more than a century old, the legendary hotel—once frequented by Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Yves Saint Laurent—remains inseparable from the city’s identity. While my parents lounged on the far side of the property, taking in views of the Medina and the Koutoubia Mosque, our family settled into the spacious comfort of the Park Suite, where thoughtful birthday gifts awaited us.
From terrace lunches and poolside afternoons to breakfasts that felt theatrical in scale, La Mamounia exuded timeless glamour. One evening, we left the property and headed back into the city, travelling deep into the medina and through Jemaa el-Fnaa—a UNESCO-listed spectacle of performers, food stalls and sound—before dinner at Le Tanjia, where sunset views, the call to prayer and traditional cuisine combined into something unforgettable.
From City Streets to Coastal Calm
From the city, we said goodbye to my family and headed nearly four hours west to Oualidia, a coastal village and home to La Sultana Oualidia, the sister property of La Sultana Marrakech. Hidden at the end of a winding dirt track, the kasbah-like hotel revealed itself overlooking a lagoon and nature reserve. Instantly, calm replaced chaos. Our Lagoon Suite opened onto panoramic views, an outdoor bath and a stillness that felt restorative after days in the city.
Known for its oysters, the region delivered. Dinner was early and simple: local wine, fresh seafood and a sunset that seemed to suspend time. The following days brought unexpected delights—sheep grazing on the shoreline during breakfast, children hunting crabs, fishing trips across the lagoon, where even an octopus made an appearance. Evenings ended with sundowners by the pool and dinners under vast, star-filled skies.
A Trip to Treasure
Marrakech has long been one of my favorite cities, but this trip deepened that love. In just four hours from the UK, you step into another world—one of color, contrast, generosity and history. To share it with my entire family, and to mark such meaningful milestones there, felt like a privilege. Some trips are holidays; others stay with your family forever. This was firmly the latter.
