Sounds Of The Souks

Tag: Jardin Majorelle

An exploration of The Red City known as Marrakech.

  • RIAD LAILA.

    A stunning riad with a large swimming pool.

    Riad Laila is a stunning riad with the most beautiful courtyard.

    It is larger than most riads, and the courtyard is full of exquisite plants, including mandarin trees and hibiscus.

    This is a newer riad, and the rooms are tastefully furnished and relatively modern. They are a generous size with plush bathrooms.

    The rooftop is well maintained, a great spot for sunbathing or relaxing with a beer or refreshing mint tea and looking at the views over the medina.

    The rooftop.

    This is the perfect riad for those people who are looking for a more modern, spa like feel to their Morroccan experience.

    The staff exude professionalism and wear uniforms. They keep a keen eye on guests, and the place is run immaculately.

    Everything is spotlessly clean, and it’s the kind of place where you can spend ages just relaxing by the side of the pool.

    Riad Laila is a high-end accommodation at the most northern side of the medina.

    It is close to the bus station and around a 25-minute walk from the centre.

    The Jardin Majorelle is a short walk away.

    I found Raid Laila fine for a couple of days but did miss the charm of a more relaxed, traditional, family run riad.

    The food was mediocre, I’m a vegetarian, and I was disappointed with my meal. It wasn’t worth the 20 euros I paid for it.

    I wasn’t given a choice of food or asked about allergies or dietary requirements.

    The overall impression was that everything felt slightly clinical and lacked the laid-back, homely feel that Marrakech is known for.

    However, if you’re looking for a complete break away from the excitement and sensory overload of the medina, Riad Laila may be perfect for you.

    It is visually appealing and one of the nicest gardens boasting 840m2.

    Inside the high walls of this riad, it is tranquil and relaxing.

    They have a resident tortoise called Laila who loves you to feed her hibiscus flowers.

    Laila the riads namesake.

    The surrounding streets are very quiet, and so I preferred taking a taxi during the evening.

    Riad Laila is at,

    104 Diour Jdad

    Zaouia Abbassia

    Marrakech 40000.

    For more information about places to stay in Marrakech, contact me via the email address below;

    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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  • MAJORELLE GARDEN.

    The stunning botanical garden called Le Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech.

    Lilypads and Koi Carp at Majorelle Garden.

    Inside the beautiful Majorelle Garden, there are over 300 stunning plant species from all over the world.

    Mexican agave, Chinese windmill palms, African date palms, coconut, and banana trees amongst a labyrinth of pathways.

    The incredibly tall bamboo and exotic Cacti species coexist together to create one of the most beautiful gardens in marrakech.

    Two acres of botanical landscape gardens.

    Originally designed by Jean Majorelle in the 1920s.

    After he was forced to abandon his home because of divorce, the fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent took it over with his partner Pierre Berge to save it from hotel development in 1980.

    They restored it and made it their home, bringing the garden back to it’s former glory.

    For many years the Jardin Majorelle has provided me with an endless source of inspiration, and I have often dreamt of its unique colours – Yves Saint Laurent

    There is a memorial to Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Berge in the garden. 

    Majorelle Garden attracts over 900,000 visitors each year, making it a less than tranquil place to sit and reflect.

    I would have loved to have sat in quiet contemplation amongst the lush green vegetation, admiring the pop of colour from the bougainvillea, but I was never alone for very long.

    The attractive art deco pavilion with its striking colours of blue and yellow is a popular place for visitors to get their photographs taken.

    The colourful pavilion
    The exotic blue and Islamic green tiles.

    There is also a cafe and shop.

    I purchased some postcards of Yves Saint Laurents’ yearly ‘Love’ drawings.

    I didn’t go to the cafe because there were too many people and the queues were really long.

    Yves Saint Laurent early ‘Love’ drawings

    The gardens open daily at 8.00am and close at 6.00pm, and the last entry is at 5.30pm.

    I would suggest getting there before 10.00 am, preferably at opening time if you want a more peaceful experience.

    Luckily, I had prebooked online, so I didn’t have to queue.

    I’m thankful that I did because the queues were really long, and it was a very hot day for standing around without any shade.

    The YSL museum is also part of the visit, along with the Pierre Berge Museum of Berber Arts. It’s worth a look around if you are interested in Berber history. 

    Opening times are from 9.00 am until 5.30 pm with the last entry at 5.00pm.

    You can’t take photographs inside the museum.

    The price varies depending on where you purchase tickets from but you can expect to pay approximately €24 to visit everything.

    There are plenty of nice restaurants outside the gardens, and I decided to get something to eat and drink in one of those. It was much quieter.

    I recommend My Kawa for a nice salad.

    There are a few shops across the road from Majorelle Garden selling souvenirs and a few attractive boutiques.

    Shopping around Majorelle Garden

    Stuff was a bit pricey, but I picked up some nice jasmine oil at a fairly decent price.

    Overall, Majorelle Garden was absolutely beautiful. It is  colourful and lush with several spots to sit and absorb the exotic sights and sounds.

    However, it is incredibly busy with tourists, which detracts from the calm sense of serenity you’d expect to get from such a delightful setting.

    It was worth visiting for the wonderful trees and plants and to get some great photos, but unless you go very early during the quiet season, you won’t get a peaceful, relaxing vibe..

    Majorelle Garden is located to the north west of Marrakech medina.

    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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