Morocco: Marrakech, part 1
We arrived in Marrakech sometime in the p.m; we had a brief city tour on the way to the hotel. Our hotel was Novotel, one of the chain hotels. The whole tour we were billeted in hotels whose names are recognizable. I was hoping for small bed and breakfast kind of accommodation, but I knew that given the size of our group, that is impossible. The hotel is centrally located, the roads are wide and clean and walking distance to restaurants, mall - even the famous square.
Upon arriving at the hotel, tour manager handed out room keys. This is one advantage of being in a group tour. You are all checked in before you get to the hotel and your room key is waiting for you. Also, we were served free welcome drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
The rest of the day was ours at leisure. The long drive has taken a toll on everyone and we all needed a little rest. The usual suspects that go on meals together agreed to dine out tonight, so a 7 pm meetup on the lobby was agreed upon. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar that's very good, but for the first night we wanted to go out and see what's in the neighborhood.
Since I don't normally take photos of hotel rooms and their amenities, I don't have any to share. Although I can tell you the hotel is quite chic and modern. We stayed here for two nights.
The hotel has an outside seating area (courtyard) next to the restaurant. One day while waiting for friends, we decided to get a drink. So we sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather. The drinks come with complimentary popcorn and we were happy with that. A little later, a basket of potato chips made from scratch and chicken wings arrived in our table. Our server said it's complimentary. We didn't ask any further as long as it's free. Probably got to do with being a part of the group tour.
By 7 pm, everyone that wanted to go out to dinner congregated in the lobby. All of us decided to go check out the mall scene. We have seen that the mall was a few blocks away earlier on the drive to the hotel. It was more like 6 or 7 blocks, but I had a lot of fun with these people. We were like old friends already. We were nearing the end of the tour and I knew I would miss their company.
What I wrote in my journal: "Surprise was my first reaction upon seeing Marrakech. Modern, current, metropolitan and wide clean roads."
In the rooftop of the mall, we found the food court with verandah seating. The food court carried the usual choices - fried chicken, burgers, Chinese food, ice cream and falafel. I had Libyan food (kebab) which we ate in the veranda. From up there we could see the surrounding neighborhood including a dancing fountain, like the one in Vegas.
Dinner and a grocery run over, we were still craving for some dessert before returning to the hotel. There was a kiosk inside the mall selling ice cream and we wanted to go there, but suddenly someone suggested seeing what else is available for dessert.
I don't know why we didn't see it when we were coming in the mall, but the street level is filled with restaurants and they have seating in the sidewalk. The set-up was inviting and since no one was particularly eager to go back just yet, we all sat and each couple shared a humongous ice cream dessert.
Isn't this just scrumptious? Calories don't count when you're on vacation.
OUR WORLD TUESDAY
Upon arriving at the hotel, tour manager handed out room keys. This is one advantage of being in a group tour. You are all checked in before you get to the hotel and your room key is waiting for you. Also, we were served free welcome drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
The rest of the day was ours at leisure. The long drive has taken a toll on everyone and we all needed a little rest. The usual suspects that go on meals together agreed to dine out tonight, so a 7 pm meetup on the lobby was agreed upon. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar that's very good, but for the first night we wanted to go out and see what's in the neighborhood.
Since I don't normally take photos of hotel rooms and their amenities, I don't have any to share. Although I can tell you the hotel is quite chic and modern. We stayed here for two nights.
The hotel has an outside seating area (courtyard) next to the restaurant. One day while waiting for friends, we decided to get a drink. So we sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather. The drinks come with complimentary popcorn and we were happy with that. A little later, a basket of potato chips made from scratch and chicken wings arrived in our table. Our server said it's complimentary. We didn't ask any further as long as it's free. Probably got to do with being a part of the group tour.
By 7 pm, everyone that wanted to go out to dinner congregated in the lobby. All of us decided to go check out the mall scene. We have seen that the mall was a few blocks away earlier on the drive to the hotel. It was more like 6 or 7 blocks, but I had a lot of fun with these people. We were like old friends already. We were nearing the end of the tour and I knew I would miss their company.
What I wrote in my journal: "Surprise was my first reaction upon seeing Marrakech. Modern, current, metropolitan and wide clean roads."
In the rooftop of the mall, we found the food court with verandah seating. The food court carried the usual choices - fried chicken, burgers, Chinese food, ice cream and falafel. I had Libyan food (kebab) which we ate in the veranda. From up there we could see the surrounding neighborhood including a dancing fountain, like the one in Vegas.
Dinner and a grocery run over, we were still craving for some dessert before returning to the hotel. There was a kiosk inside the mall selling ice cream and we wanted to go there, but suddenly someone suggested seeing what else is available for dessert.
I don't know why we didn't see it when we were coming in the mall, but the street level is filled with restaurants and they have seating in the sidewalk. The set-up was inviting and since no one was particularly eager to go back just yet, we all sat and each couple shared a humongous ice cream dessert.
Isn't this just scrumptious? Calories don't count when you're on vacation.
OUR WORLD TUESDAY
Had no idea this would exist there. So modern.
ReplyDeleteHi! Your photos are very beautiful. Marrakech's photo is very cool.
ReplyDeleteNice to read. Beautiful pics from Marrakech, waiting for next post.
ReplyDeletenot sure we visited Marrakech, I don´t recognise this modern city. Have to check.
ReplyDeleteLooks great - those streets are wider and more modern than in my city!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised how modern everything looks, and so little traffic
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely hotel!
ReplyDeleteYou must have enjoyed your driving. Many yummy dishes! Beautiful places all around:)
ReplyDeleteQuite a contrast to the other places you had been visiting in Morocco. :)
ReplyDelete