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| My unforgettable weekend in Morocco |
| by Brian Kelly |
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Some birthdays call for cake and a dinner reservation. Others call for a flight to Marrakech with your favorite people, a pool villa and desert sunsets.
I had the most amazing time, so I’m sharing the fabulous itinerary in case you are also dreaming of a trip to Morocco.
Where we stayed: Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech
If you’re going to celebrate a birthday, do it here. The luxurious Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is nothing short of breathtaking — a sprawling sanctuary of olive groves, reflecting pools and open-air pavilions set against the dramatic backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. The resort has just 65 accommodations total — 58 are villas, each with 24-hour butler service and its own private plunge pool, creating a stunning, secluded riad just for you. The award-winning spa, with its traditional Moroccan hammams, provides a rejuvenating escape.
Pro tip: Book through Chase’s The Edit to unlock hotel perks — complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and early check-in can make an already incredible stay feel even more special.
Things to do and see while in Marrakech
One of the most unexpected family-friendly experiences of the trip was the Honey Masterclass led by the Mandarin Oriental’s honey sommelier. Once suited up, we spent the morning learning the ancient craft of beekeeping, harvesting honeycomb and tasting fresh honey. Afterward, we sat down to a honey-themed lunch that used the morning’s harvest as its centerpiece. I highly recommend building extra time around this unique (and tasty) experience.
No trip to Morocco would be complete without a camel ride, so we took a short drive outside Marrakech to the Agafay Desert and the amazing White Camel Lodge & Tents, where we spent an afternoon enjoying private guided camel rides (Dean’s favorite!), quad bike tours, and a chef-prepared lunch in a private tent. It was a perfect birthday celebration. We could have stayed overnight in one of White Camel’s luxury tents, but since it was such a short trip, we opted for the Mandarin Oriental’s top-notch villas.
Brunch at La Mamounia and shopping in the Medina
The legendary grande dame of Moroccan hotels, La Mamounia has been welcoming guests since 1923 and is still magical. We dined on a lavish weekend brunch followed by shopping in the famous Medina. Marrakech’s ancient walled city (and UNESCO World Heritage Site) is simultaneously chaotic, colorful and completely irresistible. We got pleasantly lost in the souks, bargaining for leather goods and spices while navigating the labyrinth of alleyways.
Dinners worth dressing up for
Our group enjoyed dinners at Dar Yacout and Royal Mansour — both gorgeous and equally delectable evening choices featuring traditional Moroccan dishes. The food was out of this world at both restaurants.
Final thoughts
Morocco is a memorable destination, so celebrating a birthday here, surrounded by the people I love and experiences I’ll be talking about for years, felt exactly right.
It’s an easy-to-reach destination serviced by multiple carriers like United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Royal Air Maroc, Emirates and Air France, just to name a few. I redeemed 45,000 Atmos Rewards points for a one-way business-class ticket from Casablanca to New York on Royal Air Maroc. Additional tickets were $3,000 each, so the award seat was an amazing deal.
If you’ve been dreaming about this trip, stop dreaming. Book it.
Itinerary at a glance:
- Hotel: Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech (pool villa)
- Experiences: Beekeeping and honey lunch at Mandarin Oriental, camel rides at The White Camel Lodge & Tents
- Dinners: Dar Yacout, Royal Mansour
- Brunch and shopping: La Mamounia and the Medina
Have a great weekend,
BK
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| Photo Credit: BECCA MANHEIMER/THE POINTS GUY. MARRAKECH/RICHMATTS/GETTY IMAGES. MEDINA/P.LUBAS/GETTY IMAGES.. |
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