Day 3:
Today we relaxed by the pool all morning, had a long lazy lunch at the hotel restaurant and then returned to our relaxing, this time on the roof garden (because our poolside seats had been stolen over lunch by another couple - they just swooped in as we stood up, no ceremony, just nicked our chairs! - not that I’m annoyed - the roof garden was lovely, if not a little “urban” in its ambiance). The pool has jazz music and is crowded. The roof terrace lacks Jazz but has huge comfy day beds and is very private - we were the only ones up there.
Day 4:
Today we woke up early and transferred to the Atlas Mountains. It’s very different to Marakesh. It’s just stunning, the views are amazing and the hotel, Kasbah Bab Ourika, is so spacious. You feel a sense of calm tranquility up here (admittedly we are only at 900m so “up here” isn’t high enough to be colder). After breakfast “with a view”, we checked in to our very spacious suite and headed to the pool. The pool is cold but that’s just fine (for me at least…Phil is less enthusiastic). It’s so hot here, the cool water is perfect. There is an eery quietness at the pool, all the guests whisper, so as not to disturb the others.
We had lunch in the resturant and headed back to the room for some shade in the afternoon. Whilst at lunch we noticed that some of the other clientele seem to be discerning travellers. Conversation from the table next to us drifted by and we captured a reference to (in their words), “those NW3 people”. That has got to go down as the quote of the trip! It was so fascinating, listening to them, that I might start watching Made in Chelsea just to hear a few more nuggets.
So to compare and contrast:
Marrakesh Pool - French couple stole our chairs, cool jazz music, mature garden with palms, urban roof terrace with comfy day beds.
Atlas Mountains Pool - Rar’s from Chelsea were fantastic entertainment, quiet but relaxed, lush tropical gardens with orange groves, olive groves and cacti.
- Hippie -