Marrakech March 2014

Our second day in Marrakech was a Sunday and we definitely treated it as if it was the day of rest. 

After waking up at around 11am we got dressed and headed to breakfast at a local restaurant across the street from our hotel La Table du Marche, they serve breakfast until 11:30 or later at weekends and mostly other Western dishes such as sandwiches, pizza, sushi and paninis. As we missed breakfast we got a panini each with salad and crisps. It was yummy and came to 65 dirhams/£4.80/€5.80/$8 each. After lunch we headed back to the hotel and went to the spa to book our treatment for later. 

Next we went to the pool and sunbathed, slept, read and ate for a few hours which was divine. It was about 25 degrees which was the perfect temperature to sunbathe but not feel like you're dying at the same time. There are two pools at the Sofitel, we were by the bigger one and there were not sun loungers as per usual but bed like things which were incredibly comfy and cosy. There is also an outdoor restaurant if you want to eat while you sunbathe or at the restaurant itself. 

At 4pm we peeled ourselves off the comfy bed things and made our way to the spa. We opted for the Hamman scrub with black soap and eucalyptus. After changing into the robes provided we were lead into the steam room which was ferociously hot, 50 degrees to be exact and sat down for about 15 minutes sweating. The steam room was all marble tiling and very beautiful. One by one after the steam we were taken into the treatment room and received a lather of soap, deep scrub and lather again. Afterwards I could already feel how soft my skin was. We then headed to the indoor pool which was also beautiful and swam around for a while. 

After our day of pampering we headed back to our room for a shower and change of clothes. We wanted to go for dinner but had yet to come across an area where they were all located in one place. So we headed to concierge for some advice, he advised us that there was in fact no area but are in fact dotted around but if we told him the type of cuisine we were looking for and budget he would recommend something. We wanted traditional Moroccan food and he suggested a restaurant closeby called The Red House which was 400 dirhams/£30/€35/$50 for a set meal. 

Concierge called ahead for us so the restaurant knew to be expecting us and we made our way there. It was only a 10 minute walk and once we arrived the place blew us away. It was incredibly grande with several mosaics on the walls and pillars and magnificant chandeliers. The waiters greeted us at the door and showed us to our table in addition to pulling out the chairs for us. I don't believe that's ever happened to me before, it felt quite antiquated and rare.

We chose our three courses, Moroccan red wines and water. Shortly after we were given our drinks, and some bread. Then we were given chicken soup to start which wasn't on the menu, and our other three courses consisting of a seafood parcel, lamb tagine and chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream. 

Just when we thought the night was over loud music started playing and a belly dancer came out and started dancing which was strange as it was unexpected but nevertheless entertaining. Although I think the group of Asian tourists enjoyed it the most by tipping the dancer in questionable places, dancing with her and copious amounts of photo taking, it was a good job I'm not epileptic the amount of flashes that were going on. If I didn't know any better I'd have guessed it was Shakira with all the excitement the tourists were having. 

Somehow after such a relaxing day we were pretty tired after dinner so we headed back tour hotel and called it a night.