We traveled to Morocco again in the winter of 2026 with several friends, this time visiting Marrakesh and its surrounding area. We ventured towards the Atlas Mountains for an exhilarating and very scary balloon ride, stayed in a historic riad, ate at Jasper Conran’s private-home-turned-hotel, and swam in the old medina. 

Eating in the Gueliz and the heart of the medina and kasbah.

Our first two meals set the tone for this trip. +61 is a modern, progressive small-plates-style restaurant just 13 minutes via cab out of the historic medina to the Gueliz neighborhood. We ate the prix fixe chef’s tasting menu that was close to 12 plates of food to share from – all delicious! The following night we ate at Farmers, in the same neighborhood. There we also enjoyed a prix fixe testing menu, with some of the best food I’ve tasted in years. 

 

Other restaurants we enjoyed, amongst others, were Le Table around the corner from our riad in an old consulate, and Le Slimana in the heart of the new medina souk. But a fabulous experience was at L’hotel Marrakesh, where we had an amazing meal thanks to the manager, Farid. This place was down a dark alley but the door opened into paradise. They played Ella Fitzgerald in the lounge on the ground floor while we ate on the terrace and watched the sun set. We were the only ones there for this special dinner.

 

Staying in the heart of the medina, and then the Kasbah

We were so honored to stay at the beautiful riad Dar Mo’da in one of the most beautiful areas of the medina, just next to Les Jardin Secret. This small, boutique, luxury riad is run by brothers Mohamed and Mo, and consists of just 5 rooms along with a rear annex. A beautiful courtyard with pool is the home to Luna, a playful gray African Macaw. Rooftop terraces with a plunge pool make for a comfortable, quiet retreat. We felt at home here – truly. And came to love the staff and the other guests. What a dream!

We moved on from here to experience the Kasbah, staying at the lovely and peaceful Les Jardin de la Medina, a formal small boutique hotel with a beautiful pool and sun-drenced terraces. In the much less busy Kasbah, this location is great to wind down before you go home.

 

Atlas Mountains Hot Air Balloon

We also took a very scary and spooky ride in a hot air balloon closer to the Atlas Mountains. Glad we did it, but I wouldn’t do it again!