Review: Le Farnatchi is a truly boutique beauty in the heart of Marrakech
If you haven’t been to Marrakech, be prepared to have your senses assaulted in the best possible way.
The beating heart of this bustling city is the Medina; the city’s original fortified citadel, crammed with everything from exotic arts and craft to hammam bath houses and all manner of street food.
Even the most intrepid traveller is likely to get lost within this electric clash of sights, sound and smell, where theatrical hustlers reign supreme.
Travel Weekly was treated to an overnight stay inside the Medina, but our lodgings were a far cry from the busy streets of Marrakech’s old city.
Hidden in plain sight in the middle of the Medina, Le Farnatchi is a truly boutique beauty with only 10 suites offering a quiet and peaceful reprieve.
“Right from the beginning, we’ve tried to take out all the things that annoy us about big hotels,” said James Wix, owner of Le Farnatchi.
“Breakfast, for example, is whenever you want, wherever you want, any time of day. It’s your holiday”
First Impression
Usually, getting to a hotel located in the ‘old town’ region of a city is an epic struggle of carting luggage across cobblestones and up uneven staircases. Not so for Le Farnatchi, where you’re greeted at the point where cars can’t go in any further.
The hotel itself has a spacious feel and is strikingly beautiful. We were warmly welcomed by the owner who showed us the property’s recent restorations and added luxuries.
The room
All the suites are spacious and comfortable with a distinctly Moroccan aesthetic; it’s a visual feast no matter where you look.
All of the rooms have large sitting rooms with a writing desk, fireplaces and either a balcony or a patio. The beds are king-sized and absurdly comfortable.
Service
Warm, generous and helpful, Le Farnatchi staff were all superb and nothing was too much trouble. The genuine sincerity and kindness left a lasting impression on us; it’s no wonder the hotel boasts such a high return rate after experiencing the elevated level of hospitality.
Food
We dined at Le Trou au Mur, which is one of the best restaurants in the Medina, and part of the Farnatchi family.
Open for lunch and dinner with breathtaking décor, the terrace is a lovely spot to enjoy a meal and bask in the heat of Marrakech summer. The menu was showcases an eclectic selection of Moroccan and European cuisine and it was only a hop skip and jump back to our rooms.
Facilities, events and experiences
What was unique about Le Farnatchi is that guests can book out the whole hotel and turn it into a private party, or event space.
With just 10 suites, management told us anything can be done. During previous parties, they turned the pool into a dance floor and converted a courtyard into a nightclub.
At one wedding, the hotel turned the various courtyards into souk spaces with food stalls and different culinary options for the guests.
The spa is an exquisite experience and not to be missed while in Morocco is the traditional Hammam.
A Moroccan Hammam typically consists of a bathhouse for cleaning the body and soul; a ritual which starts by applying a thin layer of black soap all over your body which is left for about 10 minutes followed by rinsing thoroughly.
The therapist then scrapes all the dead skin with a glove. The feeling afterwards can only be described as bliss.
There are two marble hammams within the hotel and a range of treatments on offer in addition to the hammam including manicures, pedicures, massages and facials, all with organic products from Nectarome and ila Spa.
Overall Experience
Farnatchi is in the perfect location for exploring the souks and local surrounds of the famous Medina of Marrakech.
With exceptional hospitality and luscious rooms, Farnatchi ticks all the boxes.
Details
2, Derb El Farnatchi, Marrakech 40000, Morocco.
00 2 12 524 384 910
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
James Wix Le Farnatchi Marrakech MedinaLatest News
Viking takes delivery of its newest ship, the Viking Vela
Viking has announced it has taken delivery of its newest ocean ship, the Viking Vela, when it was presented at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy. Classified as a small ship, as are all Viking ocean ships, the Viking Vela has 499 staterooms that hosts 998 guests. The ship joins the company’s growing fleet of award-winning ocean vessels and […]
Celebrity Cruises sets sail from Canaveral for the first time
Celebrity Cruises has brought its premium holiday experiences to Port Canaveral, Florida, offering even more ways to escape to the Caribbean. Guests can now enjoy Caribbean escapes on Celebrity Equinox with seven-night sailings to tropical destinations including The Bahamas, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, Belize, and more. With the addition of Port Canaveral, Celebrity Cruises now offers […]
ATIA secures skilled migration win with inclusion of consultants, agency managers and tour guides
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has secured a significant win, with the inclusion of travel consultants, travel agency managers and tour guides as eligible occupations for skilled migration on the Federal Government’s Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). These inclusions mark a significant milestone for Australia’s travel industry. Until now, travel consultants and tour guides […]
International Disability Day wrap up
More inclusive travel makes sense for all sorts of reasons.
Newcastle Airport gears up for global takeoff with 2025 Airport Roundtable
Why bother with Sydney, Newky's getting ready for its own international terminal in August.
LATAM adds additional service on Melbourne to Santiago route
For Melburnians wanting a break from four seasons in one day, Santiago is now an even easier hop thanks to Latam.
China Airlines launches inaugural service between Melbourne and Auckland
A big push by Asian airlines into Australia hopefully means cheaper connections to China and surrounds. Yum cha time!
TravelManagers wraps 2024 with festive fun and state strategy meetings
Is it a Christmas party or a corporate retreat? TravelManagers does both!
TFE Hotels announces renovation of the Adina Town Hall Sydney
Sydney for work? Then this is the place to be. Still getting our head around Adina's Hotel Pentridge Melbourne.
An event producer’s take on Alma Resort – the ultimate MICE destination
The state-of-the-art Alma Resort has been rapidly gaining recognition for its world-class facilities and is now turning its focus to attract the Australian market, a key player in the global MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector. Rebecca Perrier reports. Nestled along Vietnam’s picturesque southern coastline, the vibrant Alma Resort in Cam Ranh stands as […]
APT Travel Group’s new Melbourne HQ sets stage for future growth
Almost 100 years as a tour operator makes us feel very new to the travel trade.
Tonight is the night! Industry braces for the 2024 Women in Travel Awards
We are so excited we could literally scream. Okay we are doing it, we are screaming!!!
Cairns Airport flying high for festive season
For a little airport there is a lot going on here as we recently discovered. Mark the next Traveldaze in your diary.
TravelManagers’ Danielle Goncalves on falling in love with Bali in 5 days
TravelManagers’ Danielle Goncalves can confirm that five days is more than enough time to fall in love with Bali. Goncalves was one of seven personal travel managers (PTMs) to visit the iconic destination with Hoot Holidays on their annual ‘Hoot Legends’ famil. As a longtime supporter of Hoot Holidays (a sister company to TravelManagers Australia), […]
Buckle up: Comedian Kevin Hart stars in new Qatar Airways in-flight safety video
As Kevin Hart talks about 100 miles an hour, we had to listen twice to take all this in.
Jetstar connects travellers in Cairns and the Sunshine coast for the first time
The kind of route Bonza was hoping to make its own... The Jetstar staff even have the purple dress codes to match!
Emirates renews Australian Open support with five-year commitment to tennis down under
Sure, five years is a big commitment, but think of all the free tickets Emirates' movers and shakers will be able snag!
Helloworld Travel Frontliners Forum wraps up in Singapore
The conference was held at Marina Bay Sands. We'd have got no work done and spent the week in the infinity pool.
The DARWIN200 conservation mission sails into Hobart
The DARWIN200 conservation mission aboard the Dutch tall ship Oosterschelde sailed into Hobart ahead of a programme of conservation projects. The Oosterschelde set sail from Plymouth Harbour, UK, in August 2023 on an epic two-year planetary conservation mission retracing Charles Darwin’s voyage of the Beagle and training 200 young environmentalists along the way. The aim was to inspire […]
ATIA safeguards members financial details ahead of FY24 accreditation-renewal period
We didn't think the ATIA crew would have fallen for those dodgy phone scammers, but now we're positive they won't!
Luna Park back in the hands of local owners after 20 years
That face may be iconic, but it doesn't stop it being scary AF.
Hong Kong hosts first-ever Leaders of Luxury
If you've visited HK, you'll know there's no shortage of lux shopping, but now they have the summit to match!
Philippines’ Department of Tourism launches its first dive experience
One to check out if you are a keen diver! See you under the water.
50 Degrees North unveils new tour maximising opportunities to see Northern Lights
We get the Australis Borealis down under, but the chances of catching it are akin to that of the Loch Ness Monster!
Spain becomes latest country to demand more information from tourists
What about the good old days where you could just travel around and lie about your identity? Or was that just us...
Telstra study shows that more than half of Aussies lack emergency plan
Apparently, screaming and praying doesn't count as a 'plan'.
TFE Hotels opens New Zealand Country Office
A big deal has been done across the ditch. We hope you read that in a Kiwi accent.
Qatar Airways ushers in F1 themed onboard offerings
Qatar's doing its best to give you the full Drive to Survive experience at 30,000 feet.
Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon draws over 55,000 participants
Given our performance at the City to Surf this year, we're not going to be adding to the numbers at the next marathon.
Quantum of the Seas returns to Brisbane this summer packed full of family fun
It's all fun and games on Quantum... And food... And drink... And everything else your family is looking for!
Become a France expert with Atout France and win a dream weekend escape
Whether you are a fan of escargot, or prefer a pain au chocolate, this experience ticks all the boxes.
Accor takes out accommodation chain of the year for third consecutive year
That's a hatrick for Accor, something the Aussie cricket team will be hoping to avoid in the second match against India!
Existing investors pick up Hurtigruten for €500M
If we had a cool €500M laying around, a cruise line would be our investment of choice too.
Jetstar launches cyber Monday sale with Sydney to Byron from $35
If you're still sat at your desk and not on a flight to Byron, then what are you doing with your life?
The Aussie holiday hotspot where airline ticket fraud is 2.5x more likely
Double check that ticket before you click on the 'buy' button.
GALLERY: Travel industry gathers in Sydney for Moana 2 screening
We know this event certainly helped the mums and dads of the travel industry earn some brownie points.