Morocco Travel Guide

SWIMMING    POOL

SWIMMING    POOL

SWIMMING    POOL

SWIMMING    POOL

Rooms   vary    in  appeal, from    cramped garden  doubles to  a   split-level Marrakshi-pink  suite   for four,   with    a   fireplace   and tadelakt

bathtub.    Active  kids    start   tournaments of  table   tennis, billiards   and darts,  and take    horse-riding    and mountain-bike   trips.  It’s    at

61km    on  the Route   de  Taroudannt.

Swimming

Medina riads are restricted to plunge pools, since leakage from larger pools endangers
mudbrick foundations. There are Olympic-sized pools and water parks outside of Marrakesh in
parched central and southern Morocco. Swimmers who are concerned about their ‘wet
footprint’ can make donations to a local charitable organisation ( Click here ). The following are
some attractive day-use pool options near Marrakesh.

Jnane Tamsna

( 0524 32 84 84; www.jnanetamsna.com; Douar Abiad, Palmeraie; admission Dh400;
) To swim laps with a clean conscience, go for lunch (an organic three-course lunch with wine
is included in the admission price) and a dip in a pool that’s oxygen-filtered and shaded by
aromatic organic gardens, a short 20-minute drive from the medina.

Mamounia

Offline map Google  map (    0524   38  86  00; www.mamounia.com;   Ave Bab Jedid;  day pass

weekday/2-day weekend Dh500/1200; ) Definite value when you consider the €650 rack
rate, a Mamounia day pass provides access to Mamounia’s ozone-treated pool, historic
gardens, fitness centre, three swanky bars and zellij -paved spa (basic treatment hammam/
gommage /honey scrub Dh900), a 10-minute walk from the Djemaa el-Fna.

Ferme Berbère

( 0524 38 56 85; www.lafermeberbere.net; 9km Route d’Ourika; incl lunch & hammam per
person from Dh350) Getaway packages to this family- friendly rustic retreat in an olive grove
include hammam, gommage, massage, lunch and access to a small pool starting at Dh350.
Families get the best deal: hammam and gommage for two adults, donkey rides for two kids,
lunch and pool access costs Dh600.

Riad Bledna

( 0661 18 20 90; www.riadbledna.com; 2km Route de Ouarzazate; incl lunch &
transfer per person Dh250) The top-value, eco-friendliest option: day rates cover lounging by
an oxygen-filtered pool, tasty homemade lunches and transfers to/from the Djemaa el-Fna at
this family-friendly, 4-acre organic garden retreat in a quiet Marrakesh suburb.

Other venues offering pool day use within an hour’s drive of Marrakesh include Les Deux
Tours ( Click here ), La Pause ( Click here ) and L’Oliveraie de Marigha ( Click here ).

Courses

Many riads in the medina organise sessions with their cook, but hands-on cookery workshops
open to nonguests are available at a number of venues.