I am thinking of spending a long weekend in Marrakech in late August/early September.
Do you guys have any advice or reccomendations? Hotels, guide books, resaurants, etc. Things I absolutely cannot miss? I’m looking to relax, do a bit of shopping, maybe get a massage.
Weird question:
I’m not sure who I want to bring with (it’s between my SO or best friend) so I want to know what kind of “vibe” the place has. Party central or romantic?
Thanks in advance,
G.
The name of the hotel escapes me, but I stayed very near the main marketplace. The hotel had rooms, of course, but most people opted to stay on the roof, which overlooked the market. There were mattresses scattered around on the roof, and the hotel provided sheets for those without sleeping gear. Rain is infrequent, naturally. The vibe, at least at this hotel at the time I was there, was very mellow, friendly, hippy-style, neither party central nor especially romantic, but a little of both.
I had no guide book, but a member of my group had a Lonely Planet book, I think. Lots of current information is available from other travelers, if you are in backpacking mode. There are also many extremely persistent “guides,” mostly young men who insist that they only want to help you find your way around. They expect to be paid something, though, and it’s best to work it out beforehand. We usually resisted their services, but once we actually did pay a guy to show us the way to some old castle ruins outside of town (well worth the trip, if you like that sort of thing), and we were glad we did–not so much for the guidance, but for the fact that his presence kept the other would-be guides from pestering us.
Can’t comment on the massage scene, but the marketplace/bazaar is a fascinating place. I picked up a very cool drum, which I still play, and had a leather bag made to my specs. Besides the maze of shops and stalls, there are various performers and spectacles to see. All in all, one of the most interesting places I’ve seen.
Maybe this site can be of help
As for hotels in Marakkech, La Mamounia http://www.mamounia.com/eng/index.php
is beautiful and good and not far form the center with the famous square Jmaa el fnaa i-cias.com - Encyclopedia of the Orient (which you should visit during the day and again after dark).
There is also a youth hostel Hostels Worldwide - Online Hostel Bookings, Ratings and Reviews
On this page are some others http://www.marrakech-holiday.com/default.SHTM?id=goo15e
Don’t forget to visit La Menara http://i-cias.com/morocco/marrakech14.htm which is a bit out of town but where you have on a clear day a faboulous view on the Atlas Mountains. You need to go there in the early (very early) morning when it is warm because otherwise the mountains can be completely covered up by rising damp and clouds.
Next to visit: La Koutoubia (=mosque of the bookmerchands) http://i-cias.com/morocco/marrakech15.htm and which is one of the largest mosques of the Islamic West. ( no entrance permitted in mosques for non-Muslims).
Visit also the souq (don’t get lost) http://i-cias.com/morocco/marrakech08.htm where last time I was there (1999) I found an exquisit museum dedicated to art (most paintings) of both Moroccan and EU-painters, hidden in an old palace that was at the time still in restauration but nevertheless very nice on its own. I don’t have the name or location right now; I’m not at home but if you like I can inform myself about it or give it in a week or two.
I would recommend september for visiting if you have the choice because the summer heat could have dropped a bit by then. This then gives you also a clearer sky in the morning which gives you view on the mountains.
The (red) walls are also very well preserved and you should also go take a look at the famous palm gardens. The Majorelle garden is also very nice to visit.
For guidance - which I would recommend since you have such a short time to stay there - you could ask for help with that in the hotel (if you go in a higher priceclass) or otherwise inform yourself at the tourist office. I don’t know if you speak French (or Arabic) but in my opinion such official guides would also speak English or an other language. Make sure you come to an agreement on the price on forehand. Someone once said to me that official guides in Morocco wear a badge indicating they work for the Tourist offices.
If you want to visit places out of town - like La Menara - try to make also an agreement on the price with the cab driver because it seems that it happens that they drive you a bit around to make it look further then it is 
There is also an official website of Morocco on http://www.mincom.gov.ma/ and several others, like this one Pages Persos Chez.com
If you open that link you have on the picture a look at the Jmaa el fna from a well known tea/coffee house.
If you are interested in history I can give information on the history of Marrakech in view of Islamic history. But I guess you can find some of that in every good tourist guide.
Salaam. A
Bob Hope and Bing Crosby once asserted you could get there by road. 
Thanks for your replies everyone. It’s exactly the kind of “trust me, I’ve been there” info I’m looking for.
MrO:Thanks. I’ll look into that Lonely Planet guide. If you remember the name of that hotel, please post it.
Aldebaran: Thanks for the linkies and advice about the heat in Aug. I guess that means I’ll be going in Sept. A long weekend means Thursday-Monday. So an Islamic history day is definitely in the cards. Please share.
Bosda I don’t even want to think about the kind of gas money that would cost.
More Q’s:
-How safe is it? I’m going to bring my best friend, so are two girls traveling by themselves a bad idea? Will we be hassled? Should we bring a male companion as a safety?
-Does anybody know anything about Essaouiria (sp)?
-Does anybody know anything about hammans? Will it be too weird/disrespectful for a caucasian to go to one?
-My Arabic is nonexistant and my French is shaky. Will Frenglish work in the marketplace? Or should I splurge on an interpreter?
Keep 'em coming and thanks again!
G.
Granuaile: It’s been five years since I was there, and it isn’t likely that I’ll remember the name of the hotel. Sorry. I remember it was white, but most buildings are. Heck, it may not even be there now. As Heraclitus said, you can’t step twice into the same hotel.
About safety, though. I don’t think of it as a dangerous place, but it is a different culture, and women there dress and behave modestly. If you don’t, you may be cut some slack for being a foreigner, but you probably won’t be shown the greatest respect. I assume you’ve travelled before–not many choose Morocco for their first overseas trip. The usual precautions apply, but I don’t think it’s particularly dangerous.
Still, the local style, at least among the men, was a bit aggressive. Not really scary, but aggressive. Some of the men who spoke to me (women did not speak to me, except for the hotel desk clerk) did so with their noses one inch from mine. I could usually feel their breath, and often their spit. And they shouted. I’ll never forget the man who pounded his chest violently as he explained to me the virtues of the hotel he recommended: “It is the best hotel in this nation! I swear it! I swear to my God! Only a fool would stay at another hotel!” He was friendly, apparently–at least he didn’t cut my throat, as I expected him to. But he was excessively enthusiastic about his hotel.
I tried to brush up a little on my French (very shaky) before going, but it turned out to be unnecessary. Most of the people who deal with foreigners speak adequate English.
I went a few years ago, and my only recommendation is to set aside a lot of time to visit the main, huge marketplace in Marrakesh. It has everything–shopping, performers, food…The orange juice is the best in the world, so definitely don’t miss it!
On safety: I wouldn’t say it is unsafe per se, but two women travelling alone will draw attention to you. I found that since I was a young blonde girl, my older brother was feeling he had to be extra-protective of me. Some guys will call out at you, but just ignore it, be smart, and move on. Don’t wear shorts, tank tops, or short skirts unless you want to look like you’re very culturally insensitive.