financial excesses

MOROCCO
plush and intimate atmosphere
of various bars and
lounge areas. It almost goes
without saying that an 18-hole
golf course, designed by
South African golfing legend
Gary Player for players at all
levels of proficiency, has
been laid out for golfing all
year round. Last November
Morocco was named Golf
Destination of the Year 2010
in North Africa, the Middle
East and Oceania by Igato,
the International Association
of Golf Tour Operators. Even
lovers of winter sports will
not be disappointed: it is just a
ninety-minute drive to the skiing
area in the Atlas Mountains.
Marrakech. The “pearl of
the south” reflects the full
and varied spectrum of oriental
life, as well as its stark contrasts.
While the north of the
city houses the residential
districts of the wealthy, the
hotels are located in the west,
and magnificent palaces and
ruins from glorious bygone
ages are to be found in the
Medina. Originally merely a
resting place on the crossroads
of ancient caravan
routes, only traces of the Almohad
period remain, as the
sultans that followed had the
peculiar habit of destroying
their predecessors’ palaces
Shopping is almost a must in Morocco.
and building new ones of their
own. Among the most impressive
Almohad buildings
are the city gates and the famous
minaret of the Koutoubia
Mosque. The next dynasty,
the Merinids, did not reside
in the city for long, choosing
Fez as their capital instead.
Not until the 16th century,
when the Saadis under
Ahmad al-Araj came to power,
did the royal court return to
Marrakech. A large number of
buildings are preserved from
“Pearl of the
South”
this period. The most beautiful
and artistic are the Saadi
tombs, the main entrance to
which the Alaouite Sultan
Moulay Ismail had blocked up
and which were not rediscovered
until 1917. During the
colonial period Marrakech
Morroco has stayed authentic.
was ruled by Pasha eI Glaoui,
who was friendly towards the
French and allied himself with
them after their armed intervention
in 1912, securing considerable
benefits for himself
through these connections.
But when King Mohammed V
ascended the throne in 1956
he fell from power. Today the
souks of Marrakech are the
biggest in the country, and
the most modern shops are in
Gueliz, the New Town.
Marrakech is regarded as an
established business travel
destination. The MICE-related
facilities are comfortable
and modern. In the convention
centre there is a large
multipurpose Royal Ballroom
in addition to smaller ‘amphitheatres’
and halls. On an area
of 2,500 square metres up
to 2,000 guests can be accommodated
at cocktail receptions.
Added to this is exhibition
space of roughly
2,700 square metres. The
Palmeraie International Conference
Centre is about 20
minutes from the city centre.
Its Atlas Hall alone holds
1,500 people. Modern and
perfectly equipped with the
latest technology, it is equally
ideal for small seminars and
big gala functions.
Among the local hostelries
Club Med is one of the market
leaders with three Club re-
sorts at present in Marrakech
– the Club Med Marrakech La
Medina, the Club Med Marrakech
La Palmeraie and the
Club Med Marrakech Le Riad.
La Medina is a city resort in
the Medina of Marrakech.
Looking onto Djemaa el-Fna
Square, it occupies a privileged
location in the heart of
the historic city centre. Yet
the Moorish-style hotel still
creates a relaxing atmosphere.
Furnished with great
attention to detail, its 207
rooms are set around planted
patios with a fountain. The
pool and spa are run by the
exclusive French brand Cinq
Mondes.
La Palmeraie lies in the oldest
palm grove of Marrakech, a
22-hectare park about 15 minutes
from the city centre. A
shuttle bus runs regularly between
La Medina and La
Palmeraie so that guests can
use both resorts. All sports
and leisure activities take
place in the Club Med Marrakech
La Palmeraie, where the
conference centre is also
housed. For leisure activities
there are two heated swimming
pools, a spa and hammam,
Moroccan cookery
courses, oriental dancing lessons,
pétanque and table tennis.
Entertainment is provided
in the Midnight Bar, in the
Piano Bar and at the Club Med
evening shows.
Le Riad is an exclusive luxury
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