WHEN IN KOSOSO-It is SO much more affordable !

That's what I want!

You literally stop, stare and wonder where to start. Think of all the jewellery you find in Topshop, Anthrapology, boutiques down the King's Road or Portabello...all the gems that you pick up, admire and then put down because the price tag is half your rent....it is all here...it is all the same and it is all so affordable!!

Hidden on a road filled with furniture shops, this is an unlikely yet surprising find. Very similar to a showroom this place is full of amazing little gems. You have to walk around a few times to take in the sheer volume of products and choice, yet you can't help yourself by saying ' Oooo that one...and that one ....oh and I want that one too!!'

From ornate bangles of raw cut semi precious rocks, to wooden necklaces and silver beads, costume jewellery galore, suede bags and silk this is a great find in the most unlikely place in Marrakech. You literally want to fill a basket full of fab pieces and tell people back home that you bought it for half the price they did ( and you have 3 in different colours!!!)

This is a must visit When in Marrakech

The best things in life are free
But you can give them to the birds and bees
I want Kososo

(That's what I want)
That's what I want
(That's what I want)
That's what I want
(That's what I want)
That's what I want
(That's what I want)

You love gives me such a thrill
But your love won't pay my Jewellery bills
I want Kososo

for more info see:
Samparely by Kososo

WHEN IN DJELLABAR - Marok n Roll in the city!

The King of Swing in Kech! 

Take  a piece of traditional marrocan style and mix it with a bit of Elvis and a bit of Michael Jackson and you are left with Djellabar!

An eclectic mix of all things marroccan and modern art this is a happening place in the bustling new town of Marrakech. This bar is a real melange of all things cool and tradition that you feel that you have entered another dimension of fine dinning and cocktail experiences. If you are the kind of person that enjoys the more risqué and 'Live wild' approach than this is deffinately the place for you.

With nouvelle cuisine, a cool ambience and a taster of all things orient, Djellabar makes you feel as if you have entered another world.

With the cool funk of the DJ playing through the night and acoustic nights to set the smooth scene this a place to chill out and enjoy the setting of northern Africa.

And if you can't bear to leave the vibe and style of Djellabar behind when you exit, there is always the Marok' N' roll style boutique offering visitors a little trinkets and souvenirs of the Djellabar experience!

This is a must visit When in Marrakech

One, Two, Three O'clock, Four O'clock rock,
Five, Six, Seven O'clock, Eight O'clock rock.
Nine, Ten, Eleven O'clock, Twelve O'clock rock,
We're gonna rock around Djellabar tonight.

Put your glad rags on and join me hon',
We'll have some fun when the clock strikes one.
We're gonna rock around the Djellabar tonight,
We're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'till broad daylight,
We're gonna rock, gonna rock around Djellabar tonight.

For more info see:

http://www.djellabar.com/

When in Lotus Privilege - Something out of an old movie

Marlene Dietrich's swing pad! 

Imagine you had stepped through a time portal and on the other side awaited the exotic time of the 20s, featured in Marrakech when continents where so far apart from each other and crossing boarders was a luxury. This is what it feels like to step through the doors of the Lotus Privilege in Marrakech.

You enter through dark alley way ( something out of Indiana Jones) and through a door the size of a wooden house ( something out of Lord of the Rings) and into a world of modern comforts with oriental twist. A world of black and white and a splash of bright colour, filled with mirror mosaic and glass, wood and velvet and all you want to do is fox trot your way through the courtyard like a dance from a Fred Astaire movie.

If Marlene Dietrich had a house in Marrakech then this is what it would look like. All the masculine/feminine fashionable features you could dream of and done with such elegance and poise.

Even if you are not staying at the riad for your trip you must try their taster menu dining experience. 7 beautifully prepared dishes, all mini and bite size gourmet cuisine, yet you feel filled and complete at the end of your night and you wish only to sit but the crystal blue plunge pool and listen to the cool water wonder.

This is a must visit of must dine When in Marrakech


If you went here for a night or more 
You wouldn't be a-wanderin' from door to door 
Why don't you do right, like some other people do? 
Get out of here and try this riad too

I fell for your jivin' and I took you in 
Now all you got to offer me's a drink of gin 
Why don't you do right, and try this riad too 
Get out of here and get and try this riad too Why don't you do right, and try this riad too  
and try this riad too 



for more info see:
http://riadslotus.com/

WHEN IN TERRASSE DES EPICE - If Aladdin took Jasemin on a date this is where it would be!

A roof top dream

Take a breath and take it all in. You are Aladdin and you are escaping the hustle and bustle of the bazaar in Marrakech. But you are not sitting on cold stone and using wicker baskets as beds rather you are lounging in little alcoves with cushions and low hanging lights sipping on a mint tea and eating a delicious bowl of aubergine penne, mopping up the juice with cloud like bread.

You are at Terrasse des Epice, a roof top restaurant which is a great pit stop for lunch. During a long day in the heat lugging around your carrier bags of goodies it fantastic to sit here for a few hours and listen to the murmur of the hustle and bustle of the streets below.

You enter a world of everlasting rooftops and you are in awe of the view. It is a secret stow away so you need to look for the signs on the streets, but when you find it you will be more than satisfied.

If Aladdin had to take Princess Jasmin on a date, this would be the place. Bugger the magic carpet, or the magic lantern, this is a much better deal and you have the choice of Moroccan or European cuisine. So after a few days of ongoing couscous it is wonderful to have the choice.

This is a must visit When In Marrakech

Gotta keep
One jump ahead of the breadline
One swing ahead of the crowd
I love the food it always gets a Wow! 
( That's Everything! )


 Just a little snack, guys
You gotta get there its just too great guys  
Take a hint  gotta face the facts
The best place for lunch in the souks! 

for more info see:
15, souk Cherifia. Sidi Abdelaziz. Marrakech Médina

WHEN IN THE JAD MAHAL - Aladdin's swinging hang out!

The Moroccan version of Coyote Ugly!


I love a little theatrics where ever I go. Whether it is in the decor or in the product, it is fun to have that little bit of drama.

In the heart of the Hivernage in the modern town of Marrakech there is a place that makes Aladdin's palace look so shabby and bare. You walk into a little courtyard and you enter the regal double doors. You see a glass garden, surrounded by low tables covered in candles and ornate pillow chairs.

The Jad Mahal has a mix of cuisines ranging from Moroccan to french, to sushi and much more. Let me walk you through your night at the Jad.


You sit down and order. You tuck in to your meal. You feel relaxed and you are taking in the beautiful surroundings of this great hall. At around 10pm the lights start to dim and you hear the music getting louder. Suddenly out of the darkness women come out with large trays on their heads with tea pots and candles. They sway in and dance around your table getting you in the oriental vibe and suddenly once again you are surprised by a string of gorgeous belly dancers who pull you up from your seats to dance. It feels almost as if you are taking part in an ancient Moroccan ritual of dining.

The girls towards the end of the of the dance move into the glass house in the middle of the room and perform a beautiful routine that creates this lit illusion from within the palm leaves. And then, as if nothing had happened the lights go up and the music dims and you sit back down to finish your meal.

Once the meal is complete you head to the back of the restaurant to the bar where a stage has been set up and the crowds begin to gather. There is a live performance almost every night with music that starts as rock and roll soul to pop and 80s disco with an Arabic twist. Glouie musicians come out at the end to get the oriental vibe pumping and all is I can say is - The Moroccans know how to get their groove on!

when I’m dancing at the Jad
tomorrow doesn’t matter
turn the music up
til the windows start to shatter
cuz it's the only place who can get me on my feet
and I can’t even dance



for more info see:
10 Rue Haroune Erracid

WHEN IN CHEZ PASCAL- Laurence of Arabia's Hang out!

You are at Pascal's home for a friendly Visit!

Marrakech is filled with little surprises. Dining, is one of them.

Chez Pascal is one of those places where you are transported into the time of Laurence of Arabia. His exposition closet to be exact. Old saddles, Deco posters, rusty tools and rugs deck the walls leaving no space empty.

You are greeted by Pascal himself on entering the little brasserie, a bundling bouncing Frenchman sporting a chef's outfit. He takes you to your table and greats you as an old friend coming to visit his home.  Hence the name of 'Chez Pascal' !

The menu is simple cuisine but has such flavour and believe me, after 3 days of pure couscous and tagine you are dying for something European! Beautiful cut meats and veg ( and you know by now i am a meat and veg gal!)  succulent fish and light fluffy desserts, Chez Pascal offers a little taste of France mixed with a Marroccan twist.

Through this old school french colonial interior and the antique styled service this is a great place for lunch during a visit into the modern town or a romantic dinner transporting you into old times.

This is a must dining experience When in Marrakech

When the wind's from the east
And the sun's from the west
And the sand in the glass is right
Come on down
Stop on by

To CHEZ PASCALS and fly
To another Arabian night

Arabian nights
Like Arabian days
More often than not
Are hotter than hot
In a lot of good ways

For more info see:
Rue Mohammed Al Béqal
Marrakech, Morocco

WHEN IN TAFILALET CREATION- A little glimpse into Paradise

Oh Aladdin!! You are too generous!

My own creation 

The souks can be a frightening place to the first time visitor. You have this preconceived idea of how shopping in the market should be- Aladdin springing from the rooftops, lamps with your own personal genie, magic carpets ( so pretty much the usual!)  and you have a long list of items that you wish to by. You want items made, you want to deck out your home with things from the orient without paying crazy prices- I get it!

As a girl however I need my time to mill around the souks for fashion. Something that no one will have, only I will posses that is totally me and that screams- ' Ha - twas a gift from Shaikh Zamzalabim!'

At the beginning of the main avenue of the market there is a store that is a little glimpse into Paradise. It is a store that looks like it should be some of the hidden treasures from Pirates of the Caribbean. It is Tafilalet Creation.

In this store is a man who is like the God of all jewels. Omar is a talented designer who will help you choose ( without the normal pressure of buying in the souk) a piece that fits you. Every stone has a story and every thread and fitment has been chosen specifically to make the piece stand out. The array of semi precious stones is too amazing- I felt like crying with joy the first time I stepped in this store, my boyfriend thought that something terrible had happened, but I had to explain, ' I am at home here' said with hand on heart.

From Amethyst, to ruby, from coral to jade, from sparkling tourmaline and Sapphire you can not NOT love the colour burst in the store. The designs are relatively classic but be not fooled by this. If you are after modern and personalised creations, you simple have to ask Omar and it is ' No problem madame' within 24-48 hours you can design your own piece and have it made quicker than you can say 'Bulgari, Cartier and Tiffany!!!'



Imagine designing your own piece in this seasons colours with your own personal flair! Or picking out a necklace which has more citrine droplets than a bunch of grapes or a topaz the size of your fist! All for a bargain!

This is a must visit When in Marrkech!

A kiss on the hand may be quite continental
But Omar is a girl's best friend
A kiss may be grand... but it won't pay the rental on your gorgeous ring

Or all those other sparkly things

Men grow cold as girls grow old
And we all lose our charms in the end
But square cut or pear shape these rocks don't lose their shape
Omar is a girl's best friend

For more info see:
5 Souk Essemmarine Marrkech

Model: Sasha Litvintseva

WHEN IN THE LOTUS CLUB - The lap of Luxury in Marrakech

Too Cool for School!


Marrakech is such an exciting city in the old town. For us, it is a mixture of the orient, traditions and scenes from Aladdin! In the modern town it is a mix of the orient, traditions and Sex in the city??

The melange of bars and restaurants amazes you when you visit for the first time.

In the residential area of the Hivernage, hidden amongst palm trees and vines are some amazing restaurants, cafes and bars. There is a place that brings Carrie Bradshaw's sass to the streets of Marrakech and decor that would even inspire Bergdorf Goodman's in NYC!

The Lotus is for the elite of Marrakech. You walk down a red carpet through a courtyard of Palm trees and lanterns as if you are on your way to the Oscars. You then enter a room so sexy and cool that it would even make Mr Darcy's pond scene look like a drab!

The room is broken off in into a series of areas by of a melange of deco mixed with modern chic. Dark tinted mirrors and avant garde light fittings fill the rooms and velvety furniture fills the space.

I went on an evening of live music with a singer ironically from Essex ( a British girl in Marrekech in a bar filled with french and Marrocans being sung to by a guy from Essex??- what a small world this is!) who put a cool jazz twist on some classics from artists such as: Tracy Chapman and Prince. You can sit by the bar ordering a cool cocktail and listen to the silky sound of music whilst watching the impressive OTT Marrakech elite slide through dressed head to toe in designers. It's a bit like being at a bar watching Blair Waldorf and Chuck Bass with their posy of followers in a Moroccan sense however the food is great, the ambiance is cool and it is not easy to get a great cocktail in the city but the drinks here are good and you feel you are in trendy location of Paris whilst sipping on some champagne.

This is a must visit When in Marrakech

It comes alive oh, when the sun goes down
It  gets it right you know it's always down
You must keep one eye open and your ear to the ground
Cuz the Lotus is too cool for school

For More info see:

Rue Ahmed Chawki | Hivernage, Marrakech, Morocco

WHEN IN DAR CHARKIA -Hilton Who??

Aladdin's hip hidden hide out in Marrakech! 


Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to live in the lap of luxury? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wake up and smell the hint of saffron and mint mixed with the mild spice of sheer and utter relaxation? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your whole holiday taken care of before you even arrive at your destination? What would it feel like to stay somewhere where if feels as if you are in the comfort of your own home? What it would be like to have a room so unique that it makes Rosie Huntington Whitely look boring?

Well this is the place.

Dar Charkia is a hidden treasure in the heart of the bustling streets of Marrakech. Having only 6 rooms each has its own character and transports you into your own little world. The courtyard is refreshing melange of the orient peppered with colonial modernism.

Why not take tea on the roof looking over a labyrinth of roof tops, or take a dip in the plunge pool surrounded by floating tea lights, cool down by reading a book in the salon with an audience of Cameroon masks, the list could go on...

Marrakech has become a trendy hot spot and Riads are dotted around the city.
It is therefore hard to find a place with value, service and quality. Dar Charkia holds all these attributes plus more. It goes beyond the boundaries of customer service and its design highlights pure taste. The owners are so honest that they give you all the insiders tips to the city on arrival. So no need for any Aladdin moments, you are in safe hands!

The only point I would make is that you need to book now or else be disappointed- that you have to stay somewhere else!

Bugger the Marriott, we don't need the Sofitel, Hilton who? There is only one Dar Charkia and this is a must stay When in Marrakech!


I see a beautiful room, pretty flowers  too
I see mint tea  for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful Riad.



I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The brightness of day, and candles at night t
And I think to myself what a wonderful Riad.


For more information see:
www.darcharkia.com