Family Luxury in Marrakech

From Souks to Sunbeds – A Quick Hop to the Heat

Some trips feel like an ordeal before you’ve even checked in at the airport. This wasn’t one of them.
We left Gatwick on a bright morning with British Airways—three hours, a couple of cups of coffee, and a half-read paperback later, we were descending over Morocco, the ochre-red rooftops of Marrakech glinting in the heat haze.

The airport surprised me. Spacious, modern, and almost theatrical in its light and design. No queues worth mentioning. Then—bang—the warmth hit. It’s that dry, confident heat you only get in the desert: instantly intense, but also oddly comforting. I glanced at the kids, half-expecting them to wilt. They grinned. Good start.

Tea and Dates: An Arrival Worth Savouring

From passport control to palm trees took less than 20 minutes. Club Med’s driver appeared as if by magic, whisking us into an air-conditioned van and through the ancient Palmeraie—the vast palm grove that has shaded this corner of Marrakech for centuries.

At the resort gates, our welcome was pure Morocco: chilled tea in delicate glasses, fresh dates on platters, and a chorus of “Marhaba!” It’s the kind of detail you don’t forget—not because it’s flashy, but because it feels like someone’s already decided you’re a guest of honour.

Checking In to a Different World

The check-in was… well, slick. No paperwork pile, no lobby loitering—just smiles, bracelet fobs, and a short stroll to our room. Club Med Marrakech is spread like a miniature kingdom among lawns, palms, and shimmering pools, and even this first wander hinted at what the week would bring.

We had access to Le Riad, Club Med’s Exclusive Collection Space, and it delivered the sort of understated luxury that makes you raise an eyebrow in pleasant disbelief. Private pool. Waiter service to your sunbed. Canapés that appeared when you didn’t know you wanted them.

And yet, the rest of the resort didn’t feel any less special. Club Med’s signature is that sense of belonging—wherever you are in the grounds, you feel looked after.

Our Family Oasis

Home for the week was in the Family Oasis section—a spacious, two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite with an outsized balcony that could have doubled as a yoga deck. The kids claimed their own bathroom within minutes (clearly they were on holiday too), and I took in the view of palms, pools, and terracotta walls glowing in the late-afternoon sun.

I’ve stayed in my share of “family rooms” over the years, and many are just standard rooms with a sofa bed crammed in. This wasn’t that. This was designed for families: space to breathe, store, sprawl, and still not trip over each other.

Five Pools, a Trapeze, and a Tennis Racket

By day two, we’d fallen into a rhythm that only all-inclusive resorts seem to master. Wake up late, breakfast until we forgot it was still breakfast, then drift toward one of the five swimming pools.

The main lagoon pool was the social heart: kids in constant motion, parents drifting between sunbeds and the bar, the soundtrack equal parts laughter and the splash of a well-executed cannonball. The Zen pool was an altogether different tempo—quiet, cool, shaded by palms, with water so still you half-expected dragonflies to skim it.

 

And then there were the activities. Club Med somehow crams an entire summer camp into one resort: tennis, yoga, archery, horse riding, trapeze, circus skills. The kids eyed the trapeze with suspicion, then surprise, then sheer glee. I even had a go. Reader, it is harder than it looks.

Food, Glorious Food

If the pools are the heart of the resort, the restaurants are its soul.

Main meals at La Palmeraie were a feast—both in variety and in spirit. Moroccan dishes like lamb tagine and vegetable couscous sat alongside Italian pizzas, sushi stations, and the kind of salad bar that makes you want to start anew with every plate. The kids navigated their own path: pasta, chips, and an ice cream chaser.

One afternoon, at 4 pm sharp, I made a personal tradition of heading to Le Riad’s high tea. Chocolate delicacies one day, cream pastries the next, all with platters of fresh fruit and washed down with tea or, let’s be honest, a cocktail. Because Club Med invented “all-inclusive” and they’ve spent decades perfecting it.

Into Marrakech: Souks and Stories

As heavenly as the resort is, Marrakech beyond the gates is irresistible. We took a short taxi into the Medina, stepping straight into a blast of colour, sound, and scent.

The souks are a maze: leather bags, brass lamps, ceramic bowls stacked in impossible pyramids. The air full of spice—cumin, cinnamon, saffron. We bartered in a way that was equal parts negotiation and theatre, and I left with a bag full of treasures and a story for each.

No guide this time, but Club Med’s excursions team will arrange one if you want the full, historical deep-dive.

The Atlas Mountains: Tea, Trails, and Camels

Another day, we headed out with the excursions team into the Atlas Mountains. The drive alone was worth it—flat plains giving way to jagged peaks, the air cooling with each turn of the road.

We stopped for tea in a Berber home, raced buggies through dusty tracks, and—at sunset—climbed onto camels for a slow, swaying ride through the desert. My camel, Simone, and I bonded. She had eyelashes to envy and a knack for finding the slowest, most photogenic route.

That night, we ate under the stars—traditional Moroccan dishes, music in the air, the mountains silhouetted against the last light. It was, in the truest sense, magic.

Nights to Remember

If Club Med’s days are about activity and exploration, its nights are about celebration. Themed evenings bring the whole resort together, and the White Party was a standout.

Dressed in white, we dined under the open sky while dancers and singers moved among the tables. After dessert, the music cranked up, and before I knew it, I was on the rooftop bar’s dance floor, barefoot, laughing, utterly in the moment.

Do It All—or Nothing at All

That’s the beauty of Club Med Marrakech. You can pack every minute with activities, excursions, and events. Or you can do precisely nothing—move only between pool, bar, and sunbed, pausing only for meals. Both approaches are equally valid, and equally rewarding.

For us, it was a bit of both. Action for the kids, indulgence for us, and moments where all four of us were just… together. Which, really, is what family holidays are supposed to be about.

The Goodbye We Didn’t Want to Make

On our last morning, bags packed, I found myself standing on that oversized balcony, coffee in hand, watching the palms sway. The kids were already talking about “next time.” And I was already quietly checking the calendar.

Club Med Marrakech gave us luxury without pretension, adventure without hassle, and a week of shared memories we’ll be laughing about for years. If that’s not worth returning for, I don’t know what is.

Quick Facts: Club Med Marrakech La Palmeraie

Location: In the Palmeraie, a historic palm grove just outside Marrakech’s Medina (approx. 20 minutes from Marrakech Menara Airport).

Style: Family-friendly luxury with Moroccan design, lush gardens, and a mix of activity and relaxation.

Rooms:

Exclusive Collection – Le Riad: Private pool, dedicated concierge, high-end amenities, canapés and drinks service to your sunbed.

Family Oasis Suites: Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, oversized balconies—ideal for families.

Dining:

La Palmeraie – international buffet with Moroccan specialities.

El Kebir – à la carte Moroccan cuisine under olive trees.

Multiple bars and lounges including high tea service in Le Riad.

Kids’ Clubs:
Club Med’s signature childcare is included for ages 4–17, with baby and toddler care available at extra cost.

Baby Club Med (4–23 months) – gentle care, sensory activities, shaded play areas.

Petit Club Med (2–3 years) – creative play, early sports introduction, themed activities.

Mini Club Med+ (4–10 years) – tennis, archery, circus school, swimming, nature games, crafts.

Junior Club Med (11–17 years) – sports tournaments, excursions, trapeze, evening hangouts.
All clubs are run by trained G.O.s (Gentils Organisateurs) in safe, age-tailored spaces, so parents can relax knowing the kids are happily occupied.

Pools: Five in total, including a main lagoon pool, adult-only Zen pool, and heated family/kids pools.

Activities:

Tennis, yoga, archery, horse riding, golf nearby.

Circus and trapeze school, kids’ and teens’ clubs, fitness classes, excursions to the Atlas Mountains, desert and souks.

All-Inclusive Includes: Accommodation, all meals, snacks, open bar, sports, activities, kids’ clubs, evening entertainment.

Website: clubmed.co.uk

Practical Info: Marrakech

Getting There:

Direct flights from London Gatwick to Marrakech Menara with British Airways (approx. 3 hrs 15 mins).

Transfers to Club Med are about 20 minutes by car.

Best Time to Visit:

Spring (March–May) and autumn (Sept–Nov) for warm but manageable temperatures.

Summer offers guaranteed sunshine but expect highs in the mid-30s°C.

Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD). ATMs widely available in Marrakech city.

Language: Arabic and French are widely spoken. English is common in hotels and tourist areas.

Local Highlights:

Marrakech Medina & Souks – maze-like markets selling crafts, spices, leather, and ceramics.

Jemaa el-Fnaa – main square with street food, snake charmers, storytellers.

Majorelle Garden – Yves Saint Laurent’s cobalt-blue botanical wonder.

Atlas Mountains – day trips for hiking, Berber village visits, quad biking, camel rides.

Palm Groves – for sunset camel rides or horse-drawn carriage tours.

Top Tip: When visiting the souks, embrace the bargaining—it’s part theatre, part tradition, and always done with good humour.

Club Med Turkey