Travel Day: From a UK Heatwave to an Eid Welcome in Marrakech
Our journey to Morocco started with a 3:45 AM wake-up call that felt entirely uncivilised. The UK was in the middle of a brutal 35°C heatwave, meaning none of us had slept properly the night before. Tired but excited, we somehow rolled ourselves into a taxi and headed for Luton Airport.
Naturally, because it wouldn’t be a family holiday without a minor airport hiccup, my bag got flagged at security. A forgotten bottle of water cost us a 10-to-15-minute delay, but after that, boarding was a breeze and the flight itself was completely straightforward.
An Unexpectedly Festive Welcome
Landing in Marrakech was incredibly smooth. The airport was surprisingly quiet, and we sailed through immigration and baggage claim in record time.
However, we hit a small speed bump at the travel desk. Despite booking a private transfer, a bit of logistics confusion meant we were asked to get into a large shared van with another family. Thankfully, the ride was comfortable and short, so we didn’t mind too much.
Because we arrived on Eid al-Adha, the streets were absolutely buzzing. It was a fascinating cultural immersion right out of the gate: the roads were busy, and local vendors were out barbecuing and selling goats right on the roadside—complete with goat heads on display! Seeing the festive chaos instantly brought back memories of how Eid was celebrated in old Bhopal during my childhood.
The Check-In Saga (And the Sandwiches That Saved Us)
When we pulled up to our hotel, we quickly realised that arriving during a major holiday comes with its challenges. The lobby was swarmed with locals celebrating, and the hotel staff looked visibly overwhelmed.
We were exhausted, starving, and ready to head straight for the lunch buffet. Instead, we were hit with two pieces of bad news:
- Our rooms wouldn’t be ready until 3:00 PM.
- We weren’t allowed to use the lunch buffet because it was reserved exclusively for a special Eid feast.
After a bit of a heated argument with the staff, they kept apologising but held firm on the buffet, offering us seating in the bar instead. We settled in, ordered a round of much-needed drinks, and thanked our lucky stars for Prerna, who had packed sandwiches for the journey. They quite literally saved the day while we waited.
Check-In: Room 261
Shortly after we finished our drinks, we got the good news that our rooms were ready early. Any frustration we had completely melted away the moment we walked into the property.
The hotel grounds were stunning, beautifully laid out like a traditional Moroccan riad. Everything centred around a gorgeous courtyard garden, with the rooms wrapping around it.
- Our Setup: We were on the first floor in Room 261.
- The Space: Incredibly spacious with a massive king-size bed.
- The Kids’ Area: It featured a brilliant separate section with two single beds and a cosy sitting area right next to the window.
With the travel stress behind us and the room exceeding our expectations, we quickly washed up, the kids scrambled into their swimwear, and we headed straight for the pool to officially start our holiday.
Resort Life: Water Parks, Zumba, and Epic Foam Parties
The resort featured its very own awesome water park. It quickly became the heartbeat of our daytime relaxation, thanks entirely to the phenomenal entertainment team. They had incredible energy and made it their mission to get absolutely everyone involved.
Every single day, the pool area came alive with daily water Zumba and dance sessions. We found ourselves splashing around and dancing in the water to the infectious rhythms of Madre Tierra and the classic Macarena. It was impossible not to smile and join in.
The fun didn’t stop when the sun went down, either. The entertainment crew kept the good vibes rolling into the evening with high-energy pool games, archery, family Bingo nights, and vibrant dance nights.
The ultimate highlight, though, was the legendary foam parties. On one of the evenings, after a delicious dinner, Aru decided to join in on the post-dinner foam party. The pool area was transformed into a massive, foam dance floor, and Aru had the absolute best time dancing through the mountains of foam.
Fueling Up: Omelettes, Tajines, and the Ice Cream Countdown
With all that activity, we definitely worked up an appetite, and the resort’s restaurant kept us well-fed with a great selection of local and international dishes.
Breakfast quickly became a favorite ritual thanks to the live egg station, where we could order made-to-order omelettes exactly how we liked them. We enjoyed these with fresh Msemmen (moroccan paratha). Prerna also found her ultimate morning comfort: a fantastic cappuccino topped with chocolate that became her go-to daily treat.
For lunch and dinner, there was always a great variety of fresh salads to choose from, alongside a wonderful selection of Moroccan tajines, fresh pasta, pizza and other tasty dishes.
The Kids’ Daily Countdown: If there was one thing the kids had to master, it was patience! The resort only served ice cream during lunch, meaning the kids had a strict daily countdown until 1:30 PM everyday before they could get their fix.
While the overall dessert selection was a bit limited, we did thoroughly enjoy the excellent assortment of cakes during the first couple of days of our arrival.
A Morning in Marrakech’s Ancient Medina
One of the best perks our hotel offered was a complimentary shuttle service directly to the edge of the old city. On Friday morning, feeling completely refreshed after our pool and waterpark reset, we decided to hop on the shuttle to discover the historic heart of Marrakech. Our first landmark was the city’s iconic “Medina tower”—the magnificent Koutoubia Mosque Minaret. Standing a striking 77 meters tall, this 12th-century masterpiece dominates the skyline and serves as a perfect historical compass. We paused to admire its intricate stonework before following the steady stream of crowds toward the main event.
Jemaa el-Fnaa: A Living Open-Air Theater
Stepping into Jemaa el-Fnaa square is an immediate shock to the senses. It is loud, chaotic, vibrant, and utterly mesmerizing. Recognized by UNESCO as a protected piece of world heritage, the square felt less like a city plaza and more like a massive, living carnival.The kids were absolutely spellbound. Their eyes were wide as they took in the beautiful madness of the square:
The Performers: Snake charmers playing hypnotic tunes on their flutes, and trainers with clever monkeys doing tricks.
The Hustle: Bold hawkers calling out to visitors, and brightly decorated horse-drawn carriages clattering along the pavement. It was a whirlwind of energy, and watching the kids process the sheer theatricality of the place was a highlight in itself.
Lost in the Ancient Souk Corridors
From the wide-open expanse of the square, we slipped into one of the narrow, sun-dappled alleyways that lead into the world-famous souks. Instantly, the glaring sun gave way to the shade of slatted wooden roofs, and we found ourselves navigating incredibly old, maze-like bazaar corridors.It felt like walking through a treasure trail. The sheer variety of things on display was mind-boggling. Every single stall was packed from floor to ceiling with anything and everything you could possibly imagine:
Handicrafts & Decor: Intricate metal ornaments, hand-woven jute bags, beautifully embroidered Moroccan cushions, and stunning brass tea sets.
Fashion & Treasures: Leather goods, silver jewelry, and rows of shockingly cheap “genuine counterfeit” designer bags.
The Sensory Delights: Towering, colorful cones of fragrant spices (like cumin, turmeric, and cinnamon) and vendors selling mounds of sticky, sugary local sweets.
Navigating the bustling, tight paths while squeezing past fellow shoppers and shopkeepers was an adventure. We didn’t even mind getting a little turned around—in the Marrakech Medina, letting yourself get lost in the sea of colors, sounds, and scents is entirely the point.
Chasing Sunsets in Morocco: Our Evening in the Agafay Desert
After spending a day navigating the beautiful, chaotic maze of Marrakech’s medina, we were ready for a change of pace and scenery.
Enter the Agafay Desert. Located just an hour outside the city, it’s a stunning, rocky desert landscape that feels like another planet. We booked an evening excursion there, and it turned out to be the absolute highlight of our trip to Morocco—thanks in huge part to our incredible tour guide, Housseine, who was incredibly funny, helpful, and informative throughout the entire experience.
Here is how our unforgettable desert night unfolded.
Kickstarting the Night: High Speeds and Quick Adjustments
After a comfortable, hassle-free shared transport pick-up from our hotel in Marrakech, we watched the urban scenery quickly melt away into vast, open plains. Our adventure started with some serious speed as we geared up for our quad bike excursion.
Initially, the plan was simple: Prerna and I took the wheel of two-seater quads, with each kid sitting safely behind us. However, Prerna quickly realized she didn’t enjoy driving the heavy machines.
Thankfully, the desert camaraderie kicked in immediately! A kind traveler from a Brazilian group offered to drive her quad and had Aru sit with him, while our guide stepped up and took Avi on his quad. After that initial hiccup, we were all set. I absolutely loved the thrill of accelerating, twisting, and turning through the desert dust with the wind in my face. It was the perfect injection of energy to start the evening.
Slowing Down for the Camel Ride
Next up was a serene camel trek. Strolling through the Moroccan desert on the back of a camel felt entirely surreal—nothing short of a dream. The pace was slow and peaceful, giving us plenty of time to quietly take in the dramatic landscape.
Tea, Trivia, and Argan Oil at a Berber Home
Next, Housseine took us to visit a traditional Berber family home, which gave us a wonderful glimpse into local life. We were served authentic Moroccan mint tea, and the kids had a blast dressing up in traditional Berber scarfs. They even got a hands-on lesson in how to make authentic argan oil and peanut butter! The home also featured a charming little shop filled with natural oils, cosmetics, and perfumes.
While we were sipping our drinks, Housseine shared a brilliant piece of local trivia:
Ever wonder why Moroccan tea is poured from so high to create a frothy top? Because the Berber people live in the sandy, windy desert, the layer of foam on top of the cup actually acts as a natural shield, preventing dust and sand from ruining the tea!
Dinner Under a Breathtaking Sunset & Aryaa’s Big Surprise
Following our camel ride, we were guided into a beautiful, traditional Berber camp. We were treated to an incredible 3-course Moroccan dinner served right under the evening sky. While we were indulging in the food, we watched a truly breathtaking sunset paint the desert sky in deep hues of gold and purple. But the magic wasn’t over for our family. Aru is only 13 but was really keen to drive a quad bike completely on her own. Knowing this, Housseine kindly organized a special surprise and took her out for an independent ride right at the end of dinner. Aru was absolutely over the moon; it was her first time at the steering wheel of a powerful machine, and doing it independently in the desert evening was an experience she will never forget.
A Masterclass Fire Show
Just as we were finishing our dinner, the camp’s open theater arena came alive. On the expert advice of Housseine, we had scored the absolute best seats in the house.
A traditional Moroccan music concert started the entertainment, getting everyone swaying to the rhythm. Then came the finale: a fire show performed to absolute perfection. The artist executed some breathtaking pyrotechnic maneuvers that lit up the desert darkness, building up to a brilliant, jaw-dropping finale.
With the show wrapped up and our hearts full, we made our way back to the bus and drove back to Marrakech, carrying a lifetime of happy family memories with us.
Hitting Our Steps & Saying Goodbye
One thing we didn’t expect was just how much walking we would do. The resort grounds were expansive and absolutely beautiful, making it a pleasure to explore. By just wandering the paths, heading to the water park, and strolling around the riad-style courtyards, Prerna and I casually clocked in an impressive 20,000 steps every single day. It was the perfect way to justify all those extra holiday treats!
Like any great family holiday, we had a couple of minor casualties on the packing front. Aru unfortunately managed to lose her swimming goggles somewhere along the way, and I accidentally left my favorite cap behind on the very last day of the trip.
But a lost cap and pair of goggles are a tiny price to pay for what was truly a fantastic, memorable holiday. From the chaotic charm of Marrakech to the peaceful dunes of Agafay and the non-stop fun at the resort, Morocco gave us an adventure we won’t forget anytime soon.
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